According to James Thompson, a senior lecturer in psychology at University College London, “research data indicates that engagement with others is linked with increased life satisfaction”. So, why not get a head start on those new year resolutions?
HOSPITAL FRIENDS The National Association of Hospital and Community Friends puts in 18 million hours of help a year, with volunteers doing everything from presenting hospital radio to providing postoperative counselling. Wards can be particularly joyless places at Christmas and in December volunteers might be asked to decorate, hand out presents or sing carols. Give as little or as much time as you can: there is no obligation to stay on in the new year. Suitable for all ages and backgrounds but younger volunteers are most needed. Contact 0845 4500285; www.hc-friends.org.uk
HELP THE HOSPICES There are an impressive 100,000 hospice volunteers nationwide, caring for people in what is one of the most demanding areas of charity work. Help the Hospices is a good first port of call for anyone interested: it will point you in the direction of your local hospice and provide information about the sort of challenges you will face. If you pledge a few hours at this time of year, you could be asked to decorate Christmas trees, post-cards or help at festive fundraising fairs. Suitable for everyone, although most hospices want volunteers to be over 18. Contact 0870 9033903; www.hospicevolunteering.info
AGE CONCERN One of the easiest ways to get in touch with your altruistic side is by helping a housebound neighbour. Age Concern offers a support structure for elderly people and stresses that getting involved at Christmas is particularly important. Not only is it when people are most vulnerable to loneliness but it is estimated that more than 20,000 older people die from cold-related illnesses every winter. If you can commit only for a limited period, you might be asked to help host a festive lunch club, make a home visit or help someone out with Christmas shopping. If you want to be involved for longer, you will be paired up with an elderly person through the charity’s befriending scheme.Suitable for all ages.Contact 0800 009966; www.ageconcern.org.uk
CRISIS Crisis is one of the most oversubscribed charities for volunteers at Christmas (see My personal Crisis, below). This year it is running six shelters across London between December 23 and 30, providing food, warmth and as much festive cheer as possible for up to 1,500 vulnerable people. Visitors will have access to medical care and housing advice and will also be able to learn computer skills or explore talents in art and creative writing. Early application is advised. Suitable for everybody. More than 3,500 volunteers are needed, from dentists, doctors, hairdressers, masseurs and counsellors to people who are just able to sit and chat. Contact: 020-7426 3874; www.crisis.org.uk
THE SALVATION ARMY This year the Salvation Army is being supported by The Times Christmas Charity Appeal. If you want to get involved at a grass-roots level, you can help serve a Christmas meal to elderly, homeless and vulnerable people at one of its 750 centres around the country. Volunteers are desperately needed to do everything and anything from preparing vegetables, providing musical entertainment to taking leftovers to the needy afterwards. Suitable for almost everyone. Volunteering is open to people of all religious persuasions, but you must be over 18 and reasonably fit. Contact your nearest Salvation Army Centre, listed in your local phone directory, or visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf
THRIVE Thrive is a national charity that helps disabled and disadvantaged people through horticulture. The idea is that by tending a garden, people gain skills, give something back to their community and may take a step towards employment. If you wish to get involved, the charity is always looking for keen amateur gardeners to offer support at 800 projects across the country. Some gardens may be closed over Christmas but volunteers can still get involved in fundraising or help with administration. . This is an excellent way to exercise both body and soul. Suitable for greenfingered givers. Contact 0118 9885688; www.thrive.org.uk
SAMARITANS Calls to the Samaritans increase by 17 per cent over the festive period, bringing the total number of calls received annually to about 2.4 million. Although it is too late to sign up as a counsellor in time for Christmas — you need at least seven preparation sessions before you can start — the charity is always keen to recruit new volunteers. Once trained, you will usually be asked to do a three to four-hour shift every week, with one overnight shift a month. Suitable for over-18s, who must be able to listen without passing judgment. Contact: 08705 627282; www.samaritans.co.uk
CHILDLINE Childline receives almost 4,000 calls from vulnerable children and young adults over the 12 days of Christmas. As with the Samaritans, it takes commitment to become a counsellor: at least eight weeks of training, including five weekend sessions are required. Suitable for over-18s, with a strong empathy with children. Contact: 0870 3362993; www.childline.org.uk
OTHER IDEAS:
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Join the 21,000 volunteers at the CAB, providing advice on everything from debt to housing and employment. Contact 08451 264264; www.citizensadvice.org.uk
MENTORING AND BEFRIENDING Sign up to provide support to vulnerable people, from children in care to asylum-seekers. Contact 0161-787 8600; www.mandbf.org.uk
MORE INFORMATION The Year of the Volunteer 2005 is asking the public to pledge a billion minutes for good causes by the end of the year. If you want to pledge time at Christmas or to find out more about volunteering opportunities in your area, go to www.yearofthevolunteer.org to search the database of current volunteering opportunities by postcode. Alternatively, call freephone 08000 839839 or text “VOL”, followed by your name, to 80010.
MY PERSONAL CRISIS Lauren Kay, 20, a student at the University of Warwick, said: “I’ve always moaned about Christmas. Especially after my parents got divorced when I was 13. It was horrible; I had to go from one parent to the other and we all had to pretend everything was OK. I find it very difficult to feel happy at this time of year.
“Last year, I stumbled on Crisis on the internet and filled out the online volunteer form. You can choose which shifts you want to do and where — I ended up working night shifts, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day, at the Millennium Dome shelter.
“You look after the guests, give out meals and blankets but, most of all, you’re there to talk to them and have a laugh. I met a guy from Pakistan, a teacher who had fled his country and ended up homeless. We had a long chat about literature. It sounds awful, but I didn’t imagine so many homeless people would be so well educated. The volunteers have their stories, too. They restored my faith in the world: meeting people willing to give their time at Christmas somehow made everything OK.”
