Volunteer and be a star this Christmas
We are the first and only organisation to provide a benevolent fund to support volunteers! Our often unsung heroes!
Volunteering at Christmas can be a heartwarming and rewarding experience, offering numerous benefits to both individuals and the communities they serve.
Christmas is the most popular time of year for volunteering, so why not grab that festive spirit and give back and help out those people in need.
As the festive season approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the spirit of giving, compassion, and community. Volunteering at Christmas can be a heartwarming and rewarding experience, offering numerous benefits to both individuals and the communities they serve. In this blog, we will explore the advantages of volunteering during the festive season.
The Benefits of Volunteering Around Christmas
1) Fostering a Sense of Community. Christmas is a time when people come together to celebrate and share love and joy. Volunteering during this season allows you to connect with your community, fostering a sense of togetherness that can last well into the New Year.
2) Spreading Happiness. The act of giving and helping others can be incredibly fulfilling. When you volunteer, you contribute to making someone else's holiday season brighter, which in turn can fill your heart with a deep sense of happiness and satisfaction.
3) Gaining Perspective. Volunteering often exposes individuals to different life experiences and challenges. It can be eye-opening to see the struggles some people face during the holidays, which can help you appreciate your own blessings and privileges.
4) Building Relationships. Volunteering can help you build new friendships and strengthen existing ones. You'll meet like-minded people who share your commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
5) Developing Skills. Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to develop and enhance various skills, including communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organisational skills. These skills can be valuable in both your personal and professional life. Voluntary work is an excellent addition to include on your job applications.
There are several places to volunteer on Christmas Day in 2024, including:
Together at Christmas
Christmas time usually conjures up joyful images of family and friends celebrating, exchanging gifts, excited chatter and delicious food. For some people, however, it can be a dreaded, sad and lonely time. Marmalade Trust understands how difficult Christmas can be for someone who is struggling with loneliness.
We don’t want anyone to spend Christmas Day alone if they don’t want to, so we invite them to join us for a free festive lunch on the big day, or a doorstep visit. Those who join us (members) are those who feel particularly lonely and isolated this year, for example, a person of an older age who may have no family or friends around. Everyone is made to feel part of the Marmalade family!
We are delighted to be accepting volunteer applications and referrals for Christmas Cheer this year. Our team would love to keep you in the loop with our exciting plans - subscribe to our newsletter for occasional updates or follow us on social media.
Bristol Marmalade trust
Neither wind nor rain (or even a global pandemic for that matter) have been enough to stop People Volunteering Are you ready to make a difference?
Places to Volunteer
1) Shoe Box Appeals. Many schools and organisations across the county run Christmas shoe box appeals where individuals can donate a shoe box filled with small gifts, hygiene products and toys to provide to children in need around the world.
2) Salvation Army. The Salvation Army operates various programs and services, including food banks, shelter, and Christmas assistance. They welcome volunteers to help with their Christmas fundraising campaigns and distributing gifts to those in need.
3) Crisis at Christmas. Crisis is a national charity that supports homeless individuals during the holidays. They often set up temporary centres and welcome volunteers to help with various activities, from serving meals to offering support and companionship.
4) Local Soup Kitchens and Food Banks. The UK has numerous local soup kitchens and food banks that rely on volunteers to help prepare and serve meals to the homeless and provide food to struggling families.
Volunteering around Christmas is not only a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday season but also a powerful means of giving back to your community and those in need. The benefits of volunteering extend beyond the immediate joy it brings, allowing you to grow as an individual, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to making the world a better place. This year, consider giving the gift of your time and compassion by volunteering, and witness the positive impact it can have on both you and the community you serve.
Half of UK Adults intend to take part in local Volunteering activities this year, with one in 10 that's 14% planning to Volunteer for the first time. One Volunteer at a Time. Join Us in Creating a Kinder World. Building a Stronger Community and together we can make the difference.
As we welcome in Winter with shorter/darker days, it is the perfect time to reflect on our lives and think about how we can make a positive impact on our communities. One way to do this is through volunteer work. Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action, spread positive energy, and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Volunteering is not only a way to give back, but it is also a rewarding experience for the volunteers themselves. When I engage in volunteer work, I feel a sense of fulfillment and purpose knowing that I am helping others and contributing to a cause that I believe in. It is a way to connect with others who share similar values and passions, building strong bonds and fostering a sense of belonging within a community.
Engaging in volunteer work has a profound impact on our own personal growth and development. It opens our eyes to the struggles and challenges that others face, develops our sense of empathy and compassion, and broadens our perspective on the world. By stepping outside of our comfort zones and immersing ourselves in the struggles and triumphs of others, we learn to appreciate the things we often take for granted in our own lives.
Another important aspect of volunteer work is its ability to bring people together from all walks of life. Regardless of our backgrounds, age, or skillsets, volunteering provides an opportunity for us to come together and work towards a shared goal. The diversity of experiences and perspectives among volunteers enriches the work and fosters a sense of unity and collaboration that is essential in creating lasting positive change.
So, as we begin spring, let’s make a commitment to start it with kindness and contribute to the betterment of our communities. Whether it’s dedicating a few hours of our time every week or participating in larger initiatives, every act of volunteer work counts. Let’s embrace the power of volunteerism and work together to create a world where kindness, compassion, and empathy prevail.
Volunteer Whether it’s a few hours of our time every week or participating in larger initiatives.
Online volunteering
Also known as virtual or remote volunteering, this type of opportunity is increasingly popular as it enables participants to complete a period of volunteering from home. Often all you need is a computer and a stable internet connection. Online volunteering is ideal for those unable to travel but who still want to give their time to a worthy cause.
Virtual volunteering is possible in a range of roles, but duties differ depending on the project.
Find online volunteering opportunities at:
Conservation volunteering
For community projects, get in touch with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), an organisation that works across the UK to create healthier and happier communities by conserving local green spaces.
For animal and environmental volunteering, see organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust. With The Wildlife Trusts you can care for nature reserves and get involved in habitat management and species surveying. The Woodland Trust provides opportunities to support wildlife, plant trees and campaign to protect vulnerable woods.
You could also help out at the Marine Conservation Society. Other voluntary conservation opportunities exist with the National Trust, where you can help to conserve historic houses and gardens.
If you would like to get in involved in conservation volunteering in exotic locations then Pod Volunteer has a range of projects.
Mental health volunteering
Suited to compassionate people with good listening and communication skills, mental health volunteering can provide great experience for those looking to break into health or social care roles.
Both national and local mental health charities are always in need of volunteers. Positions can be found at:
Working with both children and adults you could man helplines, volunteer as an online counsellor, assist with local gardening or craft groups, provide a listening ear during drop-in talking sessions or become a peer mentor. You could also work in a charity shop or fundraise for mental health charities.
Arts and culture groups
You can help with the preparations, work front-of-house or fulfil steward roles. Art festivals usually take place over the summer months, so do some research into what's available in your community.
Volunteering in museums is also a popular option. Both regional and national museums welcome volunteers. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum (all in London) recruit volunteers all year round. Long and short-term projects are available, and you can help front-of-house or behind the scenes.
We are a group of volunteers dedicated to making a positive impact in our local community. By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to meet new people and make a difference in the lives of those around you.
Fundraising is a critical part of our organization's efforts. We need volunteers to help plan and execute fundraising events, as well as to reach out to potential donors and sponsors.
We need volunteers to help us spread the word about our organization and our mission. This includes creating and distributing flyers, reaching out to local media outlets, and connecting with other community organizations.
We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to join our leadership team. Whether you have experience in non-profit management or are looking to develop your skills, we have opportunities for you.
If you have a specialized skill or expertise, we would love to hear from you. From graphic design to web development to legal services, we rely on volunteers with a wide range of talents to help us achieve our goals.
Don't have time to volunteer? You can still support our organization by making a donation. Your contribution will help us continue our work and make a difference in our community.
Volunteers of all ages across the UK. Have continued to give so much energy, commitment and skills to the communities and organisations that they have supported.
Making a world of difference by Volunteering in many different ways, places and spaces.
The Volunteers trust would like to take this opportunity to thank all Volunteers throughout the United Kingdom.
THANKS
You've been so very good to us.
You've been kind in every way.
you've made us treats and helped
on all our special days.
Today we'd like to thank you
for all you've done this year,
and to tell you that you're special
and so very, very dear.
Today we'd like to tell you
in our own special way:
We appreciate the things you've done
More than words can say.
Please donate today and help us reach those who need us most during these difficult times. Please donate whatever you can. "Your donations" will help us to support volunteers through the cost of living crisis throughout the UK.
helping "volunteers" people who give their all to others who are struggling to survive with living cost, running a car and food/clothing etc.
Your donation will enable us to help those who help others.
The Volunteers Trust would like to say a BIG thank you to all of our donators and sponsors! Your generosity is enabling us to help volunteers to keep doing thier amazing work! This money will be used to support Volunteers in many ways! It could be helping a Volunteer who is struggling financially, subsidising the travel costs of a volunteer, paying for driving lessons for a young volunteer and SO much more!
