Volunteering at Christmas

People from all walks of life are needed to volunteer at the centres; they need people to teach the lessons at the learning centre, doctors, dentists, and vets for people's dogs, entertainers, hairdressers, people that can sew, people that can cook and people that can simply sit with the guests and talk to them to make them feel welcome. Basically, if you've got any kind of skill or just a good ear. Crisis needs you.

Being a Volunteer:

Crisis asks volunteers to be able to commit to at least two shifts between 23 and 30 December. Shifts are between eight and nine hours long and are either in the morning, the daytime, or the evening.

General volunteers will be asked to help with the day-to-day running of the place by carrying out tasks such as handing out bedding and toiletries, looking after luggage, keeping fire-watch and general cleaning.

There will be times when there aren't any specific jobs to do - so the role of the volunteer will be to make guests feel welcome by simply sitting down with them and having a chat. If you've got a specific skill you think might be helpful to a centre then you can state it on the application you fill out to become a volunteer and Crisis will put you to good use!

Fill out an application form on the Crisis website (www.crisis.org.uk).

Volunteer with the Salvation Army

What the Salvation Army does:

The Salvation Army is a Christian charity that does a phenomenal amount of work in more than 100 countries. In the UK alone it has 59 shelters, providing 3,000 homeless people with a place to stay and a bite to eat every night.

There are 120 drop-in centres offering support and help, 363 elderly people accommodated every night in 17 different residential centres and 300 youth clubs providing a caring and safe environment for younger people - this among many, many more things.

Christmas is a particularly tough time for many, with those without a family or a home, or who have recently lost loved ones, understandably finding it difficult to get into the festive spirit. The Salvation Army aims to tackle depression and help people at risk of committing suicide by providing invaluable support to those who need it the most.

Being a volunteer:

The work can really vary because of the wide range of work the Salvation Army carry out. You might be asked to help out in a centre, man one of the charity shops or even supervise a meeting.

You don't necessarily have to be a member to volunteer – or even be a Christian. All they ask is that you share with them the motivation to help improve the quality of life for as many people as possible. To apply, you should get in contact with the HQ in your local area to find out what volunteer work is available.

Find your local centre by typing in your postcode on the Salvation Army websites (www.salvationarmy.org.uk).

Volunteer with Age Concern

What Age Concern does:

The work carried out by Age Concern promotes the well-being of elderly people, many of whom would otherwise find themselves unable to carry out the day-to-day tasks that enable them to survive. At present, roughly two million pensioners are surviving on less than 60% of the average income.

Age Concern aim to tackle the poverty that so many of the aged live in by visiting people in their homes and providing them with the care and advice that they need.

Winter can be particularly troublesome for the elderly because of the higher risk of contracting cold-related illnesses. In the winter of 2005-2006 there were 23,200 more deaths in England and Wales among people over the age of 65 than in the non-winter period.

Not only this, but many of the elderly have no friends or family to take care of them; or simply provide companionship.

Being a volunteer:

Age Concern is always looking for volunteers to join but even more so around the Christmas period. Volunteers can help out in the shops, on the phones, working with the elderly in day centres and in their home, driving... there's so much you can do to help.

Volunteer work can vary depending on where you live - so either take a trip to your local Age Concern shop or email volunteering@ace.org.uk to ask about what's available in your area.

Jasmine Birtles is from moneymagpie.com - the website that gives you a richer life.