- Voluntary Organsations to Help the Homeless - puravida
Voluntary organisations and charities are always looking for people to help at Christmas and New Year when many vulnerable people are alone and often cold and undernourished. Volunteering can be fitted in alongside existing arrangements, or it can take the place of the traditional festivities and become a personal kickstart to resolving to building a better community.
Christmas is a good time to think of the blessings in one's own life, and to share kindness and help received from others over the past year by committing some personal time to charity voluntary work. That's not always easy, particularly when life isn't straightforward and many people have their own griefs, illnesses and discouragements to overcome.
It's trite to suggest that there is always someone worse off than oneself, as difficult times are relative for everyone. Comparing a tragic bereavement with someone who has cancer, or contrasting a life lived in poverty and isolation on the streets with that of someone isolated and impoverished in a remote cottage, doesn't address the important issue which is that everyone needs as much love and support as it's possible to find.
Charity Voluntary Work at Christmas
Hospital visiting
Contact the League of Friends or the equivalent and ask if some help might be welcomed. This can be anything from visiting patients who have no family or friends, reading aloud, feeding those who have difficulty feeding themselves or simply listening to someone needing to share anxieties. If you have particular skills, like hairdressing or beauty therapy, offer those skills. Check if there is any legal screening required, as working with children, for example, would certainly require evidence of a police check. The patient always comes first.
Charities for the homeless
In London, find out if there is a Crisis Christmas centre nearby, or its equivalent anywhere else, where large empty buildings are commandeered for helping homeless people over the Christmas period. Extra hands are always welcome for preparing and serving meals, talking, listening, offering specialist skills such as chiropody or legal advice and general support to supplement the work done by professionals volunteering their time.
Working with Refugee Aid
Contact overseas aid charities such as the Red Cross and Unicef to send food and clothing abroad. Volunteer opportunities are always available for packing up boxes, and for collecting donations of food and clothing from those who don't have cars.
Places of worship
Ask if lifts would be welcomed to ferry people to and from services. Public transport isn't always running at Christmas, which for many makes it impossible for them to attend.
Community Volunteers
Join a group of community volunteers who offer free help in the local area with DIY, gardening, lifts to the doctor or the hospital, shopping, and other tasks that the elderly and disabled might find difficult to do. Check with your nearest library or in the paper. Imagine sitting in the dark because the light bulb is too high to reach and not having anyone to call to change it.
Community Service
On a smaller scale but no less welcome, are the little things that can be done for people on their own. Single parents finding it hard to make ends meet might appreciate being offered help with gardening, or shopping if they have no transport. It's not easy to manage small children and a buggy (stroller) plus bags of shopping, and a helping hand might well ease the difficulties.
If you prefer to be anonymous, buy vegetables, fruit, tinned goods and some non-perishable protein, pack it in a box and leave it on a doorstep with an anonymous note to the person you're wanting to help. It might be that there has been icy weather or a heavy snowfall, in which case grit or salt a neighbour's driveway and pavement and sweep away the snow. This is particularly useful to the elderly as bones are fragile and a hospital stay can often worsen their health.
Extra blankets and warm clothing can always be used by the homeless on the streets. Offer money, food, and hot drinks. Never be offended if the offer of food or hot drinks is turned down: What most people would consider an ordinary cheese sandwich is sometimes too rich for the stomach of someone who is severely malnourished and can lead to stomach pain.
Consider making a commitment to donate a percentage of your salary to a good cause. And don't forget the cold feet of the people rattling collection tins as they stand in the snow or the pouring rain, raising money for voluntary organisations, refugee aid and charities. Every penny counts.
There are so many options of which these are just a handful, but hopefully they will trigger other ideas and lead to a better way of community living.
Suzanne Bosworth - Suzanne Bosworth BA (Hons) - a professional writer published in magazines, journals and websites, specialising in arts, history and ...
