Seasonal perspectives as we approach the year end

As the nights draw in, and winter and the festive season approach, many community-minded folk contact us asking about opportunities to help with the invaluable work of local charities. When the approach of winter makes us think of protecting ourselves from the cold and looking after our health, and seasonal festivities remind us of those feeling left out, we may consider our own good fortune. This is a wonderful time to step up and help others.

There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer and your search starts here! Start looking today, as many local organisations recruit for their seasonal opportunities from October onwards.

For Christmas-related volunteering, search GoVolHerts using these links:

Volunteer in your community | GoVolHerts (Christmas) and Volunteer in your community | GoVolHerts (Santa) 

You can add in your location and apply additional filters to refine your search.

You can also try devising your own search with search terms such as 'Winter', 'Homeless', 'Cold' and so on.

To get you inspired here are some current short-term opportunities. More will pop up in coming days and weeks, so do keep checking:

Open Door - St Albans Sleepout 2025 | GoVolHerts 7 November

DENS- Sponsored Sleepout Volunteering | GoVolHerts 21-22 November

Presents Galore!! Newmarket Racecourse | GoVolHerts 28 Nov 

Candles at Christmas Event | GoVolHerts 2 Dec event 

Lanchester Primary School Christmas Fair | GoVolHerts 6 Dec event 

Events Assistant | GoVolHerts GRIT (seasonal events inc Santa's Grotto)

Charities are always looking for people to help their fundraising and with occasional events, for example Community Fundraising Volunteer | GoVolHerts  

This is also a great time to start a new role which supports people on a longer term basis. How about volunteering with a food project or community cafe? Search for a variety of opportunities on GoVolHerts or contact schemes direct, such as Feed Up Warm Up or here's a list of those in North Herts for example: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/food-providers-north-herts 

You could be a befriender, with a huge variety of different roles available to support someone on an ongoing basis, or help drive someone to their medical apppointments by volunteering as a driver with a community transport scheme.

 Or how about supporting families in a playscheme or Saturday club when children are not at school?

Crisis at Christmas is a well-known charity. Find more information here. At the time of writing they are recruiting for volunteers for Christmas volunteering in London 2025 | Crisis UK

 The Salvation Army also have opportunities: Christmas Volunteering | The Salvation Army

Gold From the Stone Foundation invites groups of people to set up their own Christmas dinners for care leavers

Thank you for your commitment to help in your community!