If there is one thing many people learned from the pandemic, it was the importance of appreciating the simple things in life. The enforced time spent at home led many people to rethink their priorities and encouraged communities to come together and help each other. Now the restrictions have lifted and life has started to get back to normal, you may be keen to hang onto some of the positive aspects of life in lockdown. Right now, the world needs as much positivity as it can get, so if you are keen to make a difference, pursuing your altruistic tendencies is a truly admirable thing to do.
The interesting thing about taking the time to do good things is the impact it has on your thinking. Doing good in the world is not just beneficial to the people you help; you will also make significant personal gains from your charitable efforts. Researchers report a phenomenon known as the ‘helpers’ high,’ which kicks in when you do something for the benefit of others. So, whether you volunteer your time or donate money, your good deeds will give your wellbeing a boost as well as help a good cause.
While it’s clear giving is good, you may be wondering how you can turn your desire to help into action. If you are in need of inspiration to help you start to make a difference, you should find these tips give you plenty of ideas:
Make a Difference Everyday
You don’t need to launch your own charitable foundation to make a difference in the lives of others. Starting small and doing good every day is an excellent way to get started. Whether you volunteer to get shopping for an elderly neighbour or brighten up your local area with some strategic yarn bombing, these acts all have a positive impact. If you are planning to decorate your neighbourhood with wool, just be sure you have permission so that your crocheted creations don’t turn you into a criminal!
Even simple acts such as decluttering your home and donating the items you no longer use to a charity shop can make a big difference. The power of small, simple acts of giving is often underestimated, but the cumulative impact you are making is significant when done regularly.
Tim Wells from Garage Transformed gives a quick rundown of some popular items that are suitable for donation:
- Clothes: Gently used clothing is always welcome. This includes shoes, belts, and bags too.
- Books and Textbooks: If you’ve got books or textbooks collecting dust, they could find a new home with someone else. Fiction, non-fiction, kids’ books, or educational materials make great donations.
- Baby Items and Toys: Clean and safe baby gear and toys can be a real lifesaver for families in need. Cribs, strollers, car seats, and toys are all great to donate. Just double-check that they meet safety guidelines before passing them on.
- Large Items: If you have furniture, appliances, or electronics that are still in working order, they can be donated, too. This includes items like pianos, mattresses, and TVs. Keep in mind that some organizations might have size restrictions, so check with them beforehand.
Cars and Boats: If you have an old car or boat taking up space, consider donating it to a charity that accepts vehicle donations. It’s important to check the charity’s guidelines and any tax implications for donating a vehicle.
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Focus on Your Community
One of the easiest ways to make a big difference in the lives of others is to focus on your local community. Starting your charitable efforts close to home makes it much simpler for you to get started. Having the advantage of local knowledge lets you make the most significant positive changes as you already know which areas require attention.
If there is already a community action group where you live, it may be worth joining to ensure you don’t step on anyone’s toes or duplicate their efforts. If not, now could be the perfect opportunity to create one and to begin bringing the community together.
You could use the community group as a vehicle to raise money for local charities or to pressure your local council into making changes to the area for the benefit of the community. If your purpose is to raise funds for local good causes, your efforts are likely to be successful, as people like to support projects that are meaningful to them and will positively impact their daily lives. You could raise money by choosing to design your own personalised calendar featuring images of the local area and then selling them on with the profits going to a local charity. Whether you are trying to raise money for new play equipment for the local park or your local football team needs sponsors, there are many excellent ways to use the money you raise.
Volunteer Your Time
If you are keen to take a more hands-on approach and engage directly with the people you are helping, volunteering your time is a great way to get involved with a good cause.
There are many different opportunities to volunteer, so you should have plenty of options to choose from. But, before you go ahead and sign up for a range of volunteering opportunities, it is crucial to check you have the spare time available to commit.
Knowing precisely what you are signing up for is essential to ensure that you can fulfil the level of commitment required while also juggling all your other responsibilities. Trying to take on too many volunteer opportunities can mean you spread yourself too thin and put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Working out how much you are happy to help with and how much spare time you can realistically spare will ensure that you get the balance right.
There are many different ways that you can volunteer without making it a full-time unpaid job. You could choose to give a few hours a week of your time by volunteering at a youth group or helping out at a food bank. Alternatively, you could take a more formal volunteer position by covering a shift at a charity shop or a local soup kitchen.
Use Your Specialist Skills
Do you have a specialist skill or qualification that not many people have? If so, your skills could be in demand in the charity sector. People with many different skills put them to use to help good causes in their free time.
If you are happy to do your job for free in your spare time to help others, then this could be the ideal way for you to make a difference. This idea is something that many people have trialled in the past and have found it a great way to give back. From hairdressers providing free washes and cuts to the homeless to vets volunteering at animal shelters, there are plenty of opportunities to get stuck in and help people out.
Once you start volunteering your time, you may be surprised by how in-demand your skills are and what a big difference they can make to the lives of others.