What kind things or charity things should I do?

[ChinBristles]

Hello

I had a really crap time last year but something that has made me feel better and like my life has a point is:

• signing up again to donate blood


• upping my charity direct debits (with gift aid)

Maybe a weird question but what other things could I do like this? Either for charity or just random acts of kindness or anything you think of! Only thing is I'm a bit of an introvert and can be essentially housebound in winter due to severe depression/SAD.

Thanks!

My local supermarket has trolleys for foodbanks on the way out. I always pick up at least one thing for them when I'm shopping. Its nice knowing exactly what I'm giving charity.

Thanks, yes, that's the idea. Quite easy to do as well, just pop things in the foodbank.

There must be so many people/charities crying out for help. I have the time and capacity to help but I don't know where to start!

Any more ideas?

I was going to suggest the same as negomi!

We have a local charity that collects welcome packs for asylum seekers. They have a list of what to put in it. Things like toiletries, local sweet treats, a welcome letter.

Do you have anything like that where you are?

Help in a soup kitchen type place one day a week.. My df does it. Just one evening for 3 hrs. They said its so rewarding and the people are so grateful.

Hospitals have people go in to talk to patients that otherwise have no visitors. Just 20 mins a person. For couple hrs.

Have a look for things you already have that you no longer need, like an unopened smellies you got for Christmas or birthday, clothes that are almost new but you no longer wear, books you don't read etc and take some to the charity shop the next time you are passing.

have a look at the do it org website. There are some voluntary Homebased roles- telephone befriending etc?

I work at a charity and like most others we are crying out for volunteers! Most areas have a local volunteering organisation you could contact to find out about lots of different opportunities, many can be done from home - for us that should include helping us on social media or eBay shop. Or you could volunteer in a shop and step back when you're not up to it. Or just on an ad-hoc basis helping with specific events.

Litterpicking - you might have a local group that meets once a month or you can go solo - the council community wardens will give you a grabber stick and a roll of bags and a tabard, I stick my headphones on and litterpick locally for an hour whilst listening to a podcast. When you have finished just leave the bag next to a litterbin and it will be collected by the council.

Yes, my local Tesco has quite a few collection trolleys for different causes, thanks.

Oh good ideas re the hospital visiting/telephone befriending. <makes a list>

I get 'you give we give' with every Ocado order

I round up the Deliveroo bill to the Trussell Trust

I use Amazon Smile in favour of a small local charity that I know does good stuff

If I don't need the second half of a BOGOF I take it to the food bank

I drop stuff we no longer use or the DC have outgrown at charity shops rather than selling it myself

I pick up litter (both at litter pick events and also randomly)

I joined The Good Gym
www.goodgym.org/

I try to do a random act of kindness every day

Most days I write a list of 10 things I'm glad are in my life (it's essentially the mindfulness 10 gratitudes practice, but without the obligations of gratefulness)> It's not directly charitable, but it's remarkably good at keeping a positive (and kind?) mindset0

Ooh, I've had an idea - what about dog walking for the elderly? Would help force me out during the winter too.

you could enquire with the cinnamon trust they arrange dog walking volunteers for people that currently cvs not walk their dog due to illness or mobility etc

I actually do some of these things already without thinking -

• round up the change


• drop stuff at charity shop


• picking up litter

What about volunteering for medical trials? I have no kids so you may as well use me for experimentation without worrying you will leave them motherless!

Look up the Cinnamon Trust - links to your last suggestion OP.

The cinnamon trust are a charity that links up volunteers for dogwalking for elderly and sick per owners.

I work for a small mental health charity
something you can do for free that really helps is following them on social media and liking sharing commenting on their posts, you never know who will see it and who it could help

Some of our local indie coffee shops have a pay it forward scheme. You can donate the cost of a coffee and they pass it on to a regular who they know will enjoy it but can’t probably afford it, a bit niche but keeps things local which feels a bit more personal than more far reaching charity.

Ah good, yes, I already follow charities online and make an effort to interact with their posts.

I'm noting all of these down. I have annual leave coming up be able to get stuck in with some things.

Most areas have an organisation that matches volunteers with organisations needing help - ours is called Voluntary Action South West Surrey.

Hospitals have loads of volunteer roles, so do hospices.

I've always wanted to volunteer for Read Easy readeasy.org.ukbut they don't have one round here . There is one to help children learn to read too.

Many years ago I used to volunteer at the coffee shop for the local Marie Curie hospice. It was 2 hrs once a fortnight. It felt like a very worthwhile thing to do.

I help out at a women's and children's shelter. I both help with admin there, but I also collect food/clothes/toys/toiletries for them through networking and I often bake or cook them food that I bring in. I only signed up to do 2 hours a week, but I enjoy it so much that I now spend 2 hours during the week doing the admin bit, and then another 4-5 hours on the weekend doing the rest.