If you’re stuck in a rut, January is a natural time to forge new plans. Indeed, many will already be pondering losing weight, learning new skills or saving money after the expense of the Christmas festivities.
However, it’s also a period when people think about what they can give either in time, money or skills to causes that they care about. Whether it’s de-cluttering your house and donating your unwanted treasures to charity, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for a local cause or helping out at a community wildlife group, there are plenty of opportunities out there to suit most interests.
For 2011, my personal plans include doing a lot more to help our local children’s hospice network, which is currently fundraising to build a new facility in Suffolk. One of the strategies that I am considering is to use my blogging activities to raise money for the charity. I don’t normally carry any sponsored blogposts, but in December I trialled this by reviewing a comparison website for mobile phone recycling, which led to the company making a voluntary donation to my fundraising efforts. It was so successful, it’s fired up my imagination on how I can help further.
So whether you’re new to the voluntary sector or are looking for extra ways in which you can get involved, there are plenty of resources and ideas that can add some pizzazz to the year ahead. Here are my top five tips to get you started!
1. Want to volunteer, but not sure where to start?
Volunteer Centres are local agencies that promote a wide range of options that include fundraising, working with animals, helping out in the arts, befriending, tutoring, plus much more. Further information can be found at www.do-it.org.uk, where you can also search online for openings in your area that match your availability and interests.
2. Enjoy the great outdoors!
If you care about wildlife and want to do your bit for nature, join the 35,000 Wildlife Trust volunteers across the UK, where opportunities include anything from community gardening to pitching in at a local nature reserve. Visit www.wildlifetrusts.org for more info.
3. Interested in education?
If you’d like to help steer the direction of children’s learning and raise educational standards in your community, then why not join the largest volunteer workforce in the country and become a school governor? In the first instance, contact your Local Education Authority to explore opportunities. More information can be found at www.governornet.co.uk/recruitment
4. Are you a keen composter?
If composting is a way of life for you and you’d like to help others reduce waste, find out how you could join the country’s group of Master Composters. Once trained, Master Composters work in their local area as part of the national strategy to increase environmental awarenes by helping to change attitudes toward home composting. Further details are available from www.homecomposting.org.uk.
5. A strategic direction
If you want to contribute to the governorship and strategic direction of a charity, then consider becoming a trustee. A wealth of information about the management responsibilities of trustees, as well as current opportunities, can be found at www.trustees-unlimited.co.uk. Also keep an eye out for adverts in the local and national press.
In fact, I am currently exploring a trusteeship in my local area and will shed more light on that when I know more. In the meantime, I see the National Trust’s annual membership pack has arrived through the door, with the huge headline Time To Get Involved - hard to miss in its large white print!
You see, there’s no need to be shy. If you’ve got a spare few hours to give, there’ll always be some organisation that will snap you up, and before you know it life will never be the same again.
So here’s to a great 2011, full of rewarding opportunities and new directions. Just point yourself in the right direction for you and let’s see what the year will bring!
More from The Philanthropic Housewife
The Philanthropic Housewife: An Introduction
About the author
Describing herself as a philanthropic housewife, Karen balances the challenges of modern parenthood with support for community projects and freelance writing, with an emphasis on mainstream, yet sustainable lifestyle issues. She's also the creator of The Rubbish Diet blog and a frequent contributor to BBC local radio. To find out more about Karen, just visit www.karencannard.co.uk.
