How to volunteer for charity this Christmas

Each year, vulnerable people rely on the kindness of people like you - charity volunteers who help them get the support and help they need.

That’s why we’ve pulled together five ideas on how and where to volunteer this Christmas and beyond.

Families across the UK are struggling to put food on the table. At Action for Children, we have thousands of front-line workers supporting families and their children every day.

We’ve seen children without a bed sleeping on the floor with just blankets. Families phoning us crying because they have no money to feed their children. It’s relentless. And it doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas.

By volunteering at your local foodbank or helping to provide hot meals to those in need, you could help families experience the magic of Christmas that we all deserve. And give them a warm meal when they otherwise may not have one.

You can find your nearest foodbank or community kitchen on your local council’s website, or by visiting organisation’s websites like The Trussel Trust.

If you’re looking for volunteering opportunities to help vulnerable children, you can sign up to be an Action for Children volunteer. Here are four ways to volunteer with Action for Children

An Independent Visitor is an adult who volunteers to regularly spend time with a young person in care. They help support and mentor a young person by listening and helping them make decisions about their life.

They can also provide vital respite for a child in care by taking them on days out or supporting them with their hobbies and interests.

Independent Visitors are a crucial part of our work to deliver safe and happy childhoods. And an important, positive influence for a young person in care.

At Action for Children, we’re always looking for volunteers to help us at events. This could be at sports events like the London Marathon or high value events like our galas and lunches.

When volunteering at events, you’ll be helping us set-up and support visitors, staff, and fundraisers. And helping us reach even more children, young people, and their families.

If you’d like to get involved, take a look at our sports events or high value events and email us stating which you’d like to help at.

Action Squads are our community event superstars. They bring family and friends together to hold events and raise money for vulnerable children and families across the UK.

How you organise your Action Squad’s activities is up to you. You could host one big fundraiser each year, or smaller ones throughout the year – like a bake sale or raffle.

As part of an Action Squad, you could:

• Plan and organise your own fundraising events, with our support.
• Get involved in big Action for Children events like our Christmas fundraiser, Secret Santa.
• Volunteer at national events, like the London Marathon and Great North Run.
• Give talks about our work and support our campaigns.

Dorset Nightstop is our homelessness support service that helps young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service provides young people with a safe and secure bed for the night, a hot meal, washing facilities, and emotional support.

Nightstop offers a short-term solution for vulnerable young people whilst they’re matched with more permanent housing support.

If you want to help, you can volunteer as a Nightstop host or driver to help vulnerable young people get back on their feet.

Each year, we rely on the generosity of people like you to help us reach the families and children that need us. Our volunteers are vital in helping us ensure more children have the safe and happy childhoods they deserve. This includes during Christmas.

The magic of Christmas begins in childhood. Hanging stockings. Sharing festive food. Presents under the tree. It’s a time for children to feel loved and make memories that last a lifetime.

But for vulnerable children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food - maybe no food at all. Their first memories of Christmas could be going to bed hungry, being too cold to sleep, and losing all hope when Santa doesn’t come.

But you could help change that. By volunteering with Action for Children, you can help us continue delivering our vital services to the children and young people who need it most. Services like Nightstop and our Independent Visitor programme.