Give a billion
Thursday 1 December 2005
To remember the true meaning of Christmas and spread a little festive goodwill, why not give someone the gift of time?
Give a billion
The Year of the Volunteer’s Give A Billion Minutes campaign wants you to make a real difference by pledging your time to help others in your community.
You can pledge your time on the Year of the Volunteer web site where you can find ideas for everything from visiting an elderly neighbour who’s alone at Christmas (30 minutes) to singing carols in a hospital (120 minutes) to preparing Christmas dinner at a homeless shelter (180 minutes).
Volunteering has many benefits and can give you a head start on many popular New Year’s resolutions – reducing stress, getting fit and active, boosting your career, doing something worthwhile, meeting new people.
Here are a few ideas on how you can get started.
Homeless shelters/ Crisis Open Christmas
Homeless shelters across the country need volunteers to help them offer services and festive cheer during the Christmas period. During the week of 23rd-30th December Crisis opens five shelters in London for homeless and vulnerably housed people. The shelters are open 24 hours a day and run almost entirely by volunteers. Each year around 3,000 volunteers offer their skills, companionship and a bit of Christmas cheer.
Crisis Open Christmas and other homeless shelters need a whole range of people to help. From health professionals like dentists, doctors, nurses, opticians and counsellors to dog sitters, masseurs and volunteers able to sit and chat with guests. Some volunteers have been guests in previous years and come back to do their bit.
Age Concern
Age Concern supports all people over 50 in the UK, ensuring they get the most out of life. There are all sorts of volunteering opportunities, including befriending services and lunch clubs over the festive period. After a training period volunteers provide support for, visit and chat with older people from diverse backgrounds.
The Samaritans
The Samaritans are entirely dependent on voluntary support and new volunteers are always needed. You don’t need formal qualifications or previous experience but a natural ability to listen and remain open minded are essential skills.
Although the Samaritans need volunteers all year round, calls increase by 17 per cent over the Christmas period.
Hospital friends
All over the country, Friends groups support their local hospitals by raising money for vital services and helping patients to have a more pleasant stay. At Christmas time, Friends may help their hospital get in the festive mood by decorating wards, providing presents for patients or entertainment like carol singing.
Be a good neighbour
There are lots of ways to volunteer ‘informally’ at Christmas time and make sure everyone is enjoying a merry Christmas – host a lunch for lonely or elderly neighbours or offer to pick up some shopping or transport an older person who can’t get around easily.
Offer your services
Contact your local care home, hospital, youth club, and places of worship or community centre and volunteer your time and skills. If you can't find any volunteering opportunities, why not contact your local council or authority and set up your own Christmas volunteering project, for example decorating your local public space.
Finding opportunities
The Year of the Volunteer campaign is asking the public to Give a Billion Minutes by the end of the year – pledge your time to the campaign clock and search for Christmas opportunities and beyond on Year of the Volunteer.
