Rochelle Nestor, a teacher at St Margaret Clitherow in South Bank, explains why rainbows have been appearing in windows throughout Europe as a defiant symbol of hope during these difficult days…   

Starting in Europe, the “Let’s All Be Well” movement is a message of hope to all with the simple symbol of a rainbow. It is, of course, a sign of the sunshine that follows the storm, the hope that all will be well. 

For us, as believers, it reminds of God’s presence and promise, not just after the storm, but through it. “I now set my bow in the clouds and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13). After the flood, there was the rainbow.

At St Margaret Clitherow, teacher Melissa McCarthy saw this rainbow campaign was in motion and suggested that on our last day together we might create rainbows to take home and pin up in our windows to encourage passers-by. 

Many schools did the same and children brought home their rainbows of hope – or have made them as part of a home learning activity since – so that now, families are enjoying going “rainbow spotting” during their walks. 

Not since World War 2 and the blackout curtains has something become so commonplace in the windows of UK homes. 

But that was a necessary action for safety and survival and had undertones of fear. The rainbow is different. It spreads cheer, hope and togetherness.

Moreover, putting it up is a choice and, therefore, it shows we are unified, most of all, in choosing to hope.

And so, to paraphrase St Julian of Norwich, “Let’s all be well, and let all be well, and let all manner of things be well.”

Our picture shows Mrs Rochelle Nestor with Anisia and Nathaniel and their rainbow.