Let’s face it, 2016 is a year most of us will be more than happy to see the back of. (Donald Trump, anyone?)

The most common reaction has been interminable moaning or hitting social media for an apoplectic rant. Cathartic but not very useful.

Enter the Activist Advent calendar. A gem of an idea, this is much more constructive.

Dreamt up by Scarlett Curtis, 21, each day reveals something she believes you can do “to make the world a better place.”

Whether you donate a coat to the homeless or become a UN online volunteer, the aim of the calendar is to encourage people to take action.

The daughter of film-maker Richard Curtis and broadcaster Emma Freud, also famously, the founders of Comic Relief, her parents’ work has clearly rubbed off on Scarlett.

She’s spent 18 months as head of social media for the Global Goals campaign and is a volunteer literacy teacher.

“I’m definitely inspired by my parents and have loved growing up around their work. Post-Brexit and the US election I’ve felt more motivated than ever to get involved with the activist community. To do anything I can, even if it’s tiny.”

In the run up to Christmas each day’s proposed action will be revealed on Instagram and the website.

Of course, it’s easy to be cynical but as Scarlet says “It’s nice to be reminded that there are small things we can all do towards a world we actually want to live in.”

Follow the Activist calendar on Instagram or on the website: https://www.activistadventcalendar.com/