Hope Thread project brings students together through connection and wellbeing

At BIS Hanoi, our students are transforming compassion into action through meaningful, student-led social impact initiatives. Supported by Nord Anglia Education’s Social Impact Grants, projects such as Hope Thread and The PatchWork Project focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and creating opportunities for young people to connect and grow. 

One of these initiatives, Hope Thread, is led by a group of committed Year 12 students who aim to support the emotional wellbeing of younger learners through creativity, collaboration, and connection. On 5 April, the Hope Thread team travelled to Vật Lại Commune, Ba Vì, to host a student exchange workshop with Phú Sơn Secondary School, in partnership with HSCV. 

The exchange day brought students from different backgrounds together through a series of interactive activities designed to build trust, communication, and teamwork. These shared experiences encouraged participants to step beyond familiar social circles, develop confidence, and form new friendships in a positive and inclusive environment. 

For the Hope Thread core team, the workshop marked an important milestone after months of preparation, including activity design, logistics planning, fundraising, and securing a USD 3,000 Nord Anglia Social Impact Grant. 

“This was our very first workshop, and knowing how much effort went into building the project made it incredibly meaningful to see everything come together successfully,” shared a member of the core team. 

The experience also offered valuable learning opportunities for the BIS Hanoi students who volunteered to participate in the project. Working within limited timeframes and navigating language differences helped strengthen their adaptability, teamwork, and communication skills. Despite challenges, strong collaboration among members of the team ensured the workshop was engaging and welcoming for everyone.

One student shared how participating helped them step outside their comfort zone: 

“Even though I’m usually quite shy, the activities helped me feel at ease. The theme of friendship was especially meaningful, as it reminded me how important connections are to our wellbeing.” 

Overall, the workshop was a rewarding experience for all involved. Positive feedback from Phú Sơn students reinforced the purpose of Hope Thread, which is to create meaningful connections and make a positive difference however small. 

Through projects like Hope Thread, BIS Hanoi students continue to demonstrate how young people, when empowered and supported, can lead with empathy, responsibility, and real impact, enriching not only their communities, but also their own personal growth.