Volunteering at Christmas

Does the mere mention of Christmas make you yawn? Shake things up this year by volunteering. From radio DJing in a kids' hospital, to dog handling in a homelessness shelter - find out what you could do to really make a difference this year.

Many of us would admit that we've always thought about volunteering at Christmas, but few have actually done it. Yet research has shown that volunteering your time reduces your blood pressure, improves your social relations, makes you understand people better, and is even associated with decreased depression. It sort of makes sense. Most people get a bit of a buzz out of being thoughtful to others, so it's a fair payoff.

If you are curious about volunteering this Christmas, now is the time to get planning. While some charities shut up shop for the Christmas period, others, particularly those supporting the homeless, the elderly or the sick, have to plan ahead. Such charities are looking for people with a range of skills and backgrounds to do a whole host of different things. As Mike Locke, Director of Public Affairs at Volunteering England advises: 'all you have to do is be prepared to give some of your time, ask what kind of help they will need and work out what you can commit to'.

So, what could you be doing this Christmas? Here are some ideas:

Musicians, magicians and entertainers!

Charity: Crisis

What? Crisis is one of the biggest national charities dedicated to improving the lives of the homeless by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Over Christmas they are especially busy in their centres, needing up to 8,000 volunteers to help out nationwide.

Who? There are a range of opportunities to suit a variety of different people with differing skills, interests and time availability. But for real 'people persons', activities and entertainment volunteers include magicians, artists, sports trainers, in fact, anyone with a fun creative skill that would like to help raise some Christmas spirit.

How? Check out the full range of opportunities at Crisis, visit www.crisis.org.uk, email: enquiries@crisis.org.uk or telephone: 0800 0 38 48 38

Help over 300 charities in one or two hours

Charity: Card Aid

What? Card Aid is a charity that produces Christmas cards for about 300 different charities to sell to their supporters. Throughout the UK there are around 30 Card Aid shops that need extra help over the festive period.

Who? This opportunity would suit those who cannot spare time on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, but who could spare a couple of hours in the weeks leading up to the big day.

How? Visit www.cardaid.co.uk, email cardaid@cardaid.co.uk or telephone 020 7433 3636

Radio DJ

Charity: Radio Lollipop

What? Radio Lollipop provides entertainment, comfort and play to children in hospitals, via radio. It is a service run wholly by volunteers who are dedicated to making a child's stay in hospital more fun and less frightening, something that is especially pertinent around the Christmas period. Radio Lollipop provides a unique child-orientated programme of interactive competitions, music, stories and games and provides full training to their volunteers.

Who? This is suitable to those interested in working with children, who are generally enthusiastic, positive and outgoing. Full training will be provided, and interested people must be willing to commit to at least two hours a week in the longer term.

How? Visit www.radiolollipop.org, Telephone: +44 (0)208 661 0666, email: info@radiolollipop.org

Animal lover?

Charity: Crisis at Christmas

What? Again, Crisis at Christmas, the national homelessness charity, not only provides support to homeless people, but homeless people's dogs too. Homeless dogs suffer equally from a life on the streets, and at Christmas they need extra help too!

Who? Not everyone wants to work with people over Christmas, and so for dog and animal lovers this might be the ideal opportunity. Dog handlers are required to help ensure homeless dogs get a free veterinary check up, and will need some experience of handling dogs.

How? To find out more about dog handling volunteering for Crisis, visit www.crisis.org.uk, enquiries@crisis.org.uk or telephone: 0800 0 38 48 38

Get your kids involved as Internet Rangers!

Charity: BT Internet Rangers

What? Apparently, a third of parents and grandparents are taught to use the internet by a person aged 13 to 16. The BT Internet Rangers website is dedicated to encouraging young people to bridge the internet divide, using their web skills to help older people experience the benefits of getting online.

Who? Can't peel your computer savvy teen away from the screen over the Christmas holidays? Why not encourage them to spend some of their surf-time supporting an elderly member of the family, or by helping elderly people in their local community. The site provides lesson plans and tips on how to get started.

How? Visit www.btinternetrangers.co.uk

Green fingers

What? For those that don’t mind getting their hands dirty (and we mean literally), London’s Wetlands and Wildlife Centre is always looking for people to help conserve and rejuvenate various wildlife spots around the country. Interested but can’t find the time to do it around work? The Trust also caters for corporate volunteering, so get your whole company to muck in (geddit?) and make a visible difference to the community.

Who? There are so many things you can do for this charity. Many volunteers can spend a day branch cutting and sawing in preparation for spring, or clearing out ponds/reed cutting with waders, or even planting bulbs. Check the website out for what is on offer nearest you.

How: Visit www.wwt.org.uk or contact a Volunteer Coordinator on 020 8409 4400. Alternatively email info.london@wwt.org.uk for more information.

New-age volunteering

What? Volunteering has gone all techie! Bluefrog, a company that helps charities communicate with their supporters, have put together a site as a platform for people who dedicate time to charities. CharityBloggers hosts unedited and uncensored blogs by a community that voice their thoughts. They receive no remuneration for this and can post anonymously too. Here you’ll find out who is really helping out, who needs more help, and the effects of the efforts volunteering really does for those in need.

Who? If you are passionate about voicing your achievements or experiences through volunteering, sign yourself up and discover a community of like-minded people.

How: Visit www.charitybloggers.com for more information on becoming a blogger.

Use your head (and your feet!)

What? Street League works with disadvantaged 16-25 year olds and offers them a place to be and a sport they can really be passionate about and get involved in. Not only do the participants become fitter, but statistically more than 70% of the graduates from the Academy go on to get a job or resume education. There are plenty of different opportunities to help out ranging from organising matches, running match days, or refereeing games.

Who? You don’t have to be a football fanatic to get involved. As long as you have know-how of the sport and want to make a different through the benefits of being active, this is definitely worth having a go. This is a brilliant charity that companies often get involved in too, and if your time can’t be dedicated outside of or during work, all donations are welcome too.

How: Visit www.streetleague.co.uk, or call the London office on 020 8536 5330. Alternatively, email london@streetleague.co.uk for more information.

Food for thought

What? FareShare is a national UK charity supporting communities to relieve food poverty and promotes the message – 'No good food should be wasted'. This charity helps improve lives through food redistribution and also helps the environment by minimising surplus food going to landfill.

Who? FareShare currently operates at 17 different locations across the UK (check the website for the most convenient for you). To help out, you’ll have to commit to at least one shift per fortnight and comply with food hygiene procedures. Full training is given and you can either help with the distribution and counting or delivery of the outgoing food.

How: Visit www.fareshare.org.uk, or call the central office on 020 7394 2468. Alternatively, email enquiries@fareshare.org.uk for more information.

Keep it local

What? There are also a lot of organisations that need your help on a more local level within your community. Charities such as Age Concern or the Alzheimer's Society often require befrienders in their local centres. The Salvation Army is also pretty active at this time of year with a wide range of activities on a local level.

How: For these and more local level opportunities in your area, visit www.do-it.org