Here’s how to help, whether you’ve got five minutes or a week (Picture: Getty Images)

Is there anything more Christmassy than giving back to your local community – and, festivities aside, doesn’t it just feel good to be good?

Being kind to others is known to help improve our own mental health – a welcome respite when faced with the prospect of Christmas with the extended family.

With the UK in the grip of a loneliness epidemic, not to mention the soaring cost of living alongside the fuel crisis, Christmas is going to be especially tricky for many people this year.

However, knowing just what you can do to help – or how you even start to find out, can be difficult.

‘There are many ways to volunteer, from short term help in food banks and soup kitchens, to making a longer-term commitment to offer your time on a regular basis,’ explains Sarah Vibert, CEO of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

‘With so many amazing opportunities that can fit around even the busiest lifestyles, it can often be overwhelming knowing where to start for some people. A quick search for volunteering opportunities produces nearly 200 million results – so trying to find the right one for you can feel like a time commitment and barrier in itself.’

While most websites will have comprehensive information on how you can help out, Sarah says that if something does catch your eye and you can’t find the details you need, just give them a call or drop an email.

‘We know that volunteering improves well-being, reduces loneliness, and job prospects for all who get involved, so if you’re not sure where to begin, you can make a start by looking for short term opportunities,’ she adds. ‘You can get involved in fundraising initiatives, collecting toys for a local hospice, or even sourcing winter clothes for refugees. If you do have more time, then consider making volunteering your new year’s resolution.’

Here’s just some ways of how you can help this Christmas, no matter how little or how much time you can spare.

Homelessness and food poverty

There are always ways to help homeless people in the UK (Picture: Getty Images)

With 40% more people sleeping on the streets now than they were in 2010, homelessness is a huge issue in the UK today. And with unmanageable rent prices, sky-high bills and the cost of food at record highs, there is set to be more in the coming months.

‘We are concerned for next year as the cost of living continues to bite,’ Head of Volunteering at homelessness charity Crisis, Michael Phillips, tells Metro.co.uk. ‘People are being really pressured into difficult circumstances. It can only take one little change in someone’s life to make them homeless.’

He recommends visiting Crisis’ volunteering page, selecting a location, and seeing what opportunities are out there.

‘Sometimes we need specialists like GPs and chefs. Principally, we need people who can show some warmth and kindness and empathy, and are willing to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.’ 

If you’ve only got a few hours to spare, why not sign up to Collect for Crisis This Christmas. 

Shelter also has a great search tool for finding something to fit around your schedule, if you’re worried about commitment. 

If you’re wanting to help out on Christmas Day, it could be a good idea to ask your local night shelter, Trussell Trust foodbank or church to see if they need volunteers. 

There are also so many nationwide opportunities at FoodCycle, from delivering food packages, to becoming a volunteer chef or community event volunteer. 

Logistical help is always needed at The Hygiene Bank; a charity that works with Boots to collect and drop off donated products at community centres around the country. Search for your local branch and give them a call to see what needs done. You can even set up a new hygiene bank in your area if it’s lacking.

Helping refugees and asylum seekers 

Donate to those who are far away from home this Christmas (Picture: Getty Images/Tetra images RF)

With Russia’s war still raging on in Ukraine and the migrant crisis hitting the headlines, helping people find safety here in the UK after escaping war-torn countries and oppressive regimes is understandably at the top of many agendas. 

If you’re looking to help out over the festive season but don’t have lots of time on your hands, why not buy a refugee-made gift instead of a standard shop-bought pressie? Or, donate items at your local drop off point. 

Cycling enthusiast? The Bike Project is a charity that donates unwanted bikes to refugees. There are loads of ways to help out, from becoming a ‘bike buddy’ to a refugee, to helping out in their workshop, or creating a temporary bike-drop off point in your area.

The brilliant charity Refugee Action also has many fundraising and gift-giving initiatives. But if you’re wanting to make a longer commitment (a minimum of six months), their volunteering programme is excellent and offers a variety of part-time roles across the country. 

Supporting older people

Get involved and make sure no older person is lonely this Christmas (Picture: Getty Images/Mint Images RF)

Christmas can be a lonely time of year when everyone else seems to be busy enjoying parties and family time, and you’re home alone. That’s especially true for older people: according to Age UK, more than two million people in England over the age of 75 live alone.

Aside from just chatting to your elderly neighbour and taking them some Christmas cake, there are ways to help via charities too. 

Sign up to be an Age UK telephone friend, where you will get matched with an older person with similar interests, and you chat to them on the phone for 30 minutes once a week.

You can become a tea party group host in your area via Re-engage. If you’re not a fan of tea, you can also become a social activity volunteer, or a call companion, or if you’re not a people person, no problem: help Re-engage with their research. 

Domestic abuse 

Help change someone’s life (Picture: Getty Images)

The impact of domestic abuse is always horrendous, but recent circumstances such as heightened financial dependence due to the rising cost of living, domestic violence increasing with the FIFA World Cup, and the dark, long winter months make this particular time even more critical for victims across the country. 

For short-term volunteering, why not become a campaigner with Women’s Aid and get fundraising. Or, join one of their organised events like the Refuge Skydive or January’s Arctic Adventure. 

I you’re looking to make volunteering part of your life for longer, take 3 to 4 hours each week to be at the other end of the Refuge helpline.

Mental health 

Be a helping hand for someone in need (Picture: Getty Images)

With the turbulence of the past few years coupled with the cost of living crisis and the fact the NHS’ services are on their knees with years-long waiting lists, mental health is a cause worth getting behind.

Especially with dark days descending, social pressures over Christmas and the feelings of isolation that could go with it, volunteering over winter has also never been so important. 

The UK’s biggest mental health charity Mind is always on the hunt for volunteers to man their shops up and down the country, while their Bexley base is holding a Christmas quiz for anyone who wishes to join. Other branches may offer the same, so it’s worth giving your local branch a call and seeing where you could help. 

For six hours a month, you could make a huge difference to the LGBTQ+ community and become a Switchboard Listening Volunteer. You’ll need to go through basic training and be a great listener to help callers who may be struggling with concerns surrounding sexuality and gender identity.  

The young person suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS is also on the look out for volunteers who can help raise awareness of their cause. You could become one of their Champions and give short talks in your local community.

If you’re looking for a more long-term telephone role, Samaritans have an incredible volunteer programme, although training can take anywhere between 6 to 9 months so you wouldn’t be able to help this side of 2023. 

However, if you’re short on time but still want to do something to help, MG Mental Health Research is encouraging people to complete mental health surveys to help bolster their research. CEO Lea Milligan believes it’s important to make volunteering accessible: ‘It’s all online and people can spend as much or as little time volunteering as they want, when they want.’

More: Charity

Vulnerable children and young people 

Make their Christmas a special one (Picture: Getty Images/EyeEm)

At a time of year that is primarily for children, it’s heartbreaking to think that some will already be facing their hardest times.

The NSPCC’s volunteering page has information about support roles across the country that can take you as much or little time as you like, from volunteering at events to working with children in schools. Or, for a bigger commitment of a minimum of one year, you could become a Childline volunteer, manning the phones for up to four hours per week. 

Action For Children also has some incredible programmes for volunteers. You could simply help at events, or you could become a young person’s mentor – though this is a big commitment.

If you’re stretched for time but want to do your bit this year, how about being a child’s Secret Santa through the charity Action for Children and donating a gift.

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Volunteers’ Week takes place 1-7 June and highlights the amazing ways people can give back and help others. To get involved click here. 

If time’s an issue, there’s still plenty you can do