6 ways to give back and volunteer – most without leaving your couch

What can you do when it feels like the world is on fire? How about figuring out a way to give back and volunteer with a cause close to your heart?

Recently I found myself thinking about and assessing how I give back personally and professionally (which I do regularly, quietly and loudly…)

Look, I know people feel that talking about what they do can be white knighting, but it can also be such a key way to raise awareness for issues and charities, getting into echo chambers where issues and causes may not have penetrated.

Yes, I’m both passionate about what I do AND fuelled by too many Coke Zeros whilst writing this.

Every charity I’ve worked for there’s been a personal connection; my own experience, family members who have been poorly, friends and pets who have been affected or helped by kind hearted people who just want to fight some of those fires. Is it karma? Is it just spotting patterns?

Anyway.

In my experience, most people are interested to help, they’re just not sure how or life gets in the way or they’re not fuelled enough to make it a priority. Before this becomes a novel, just thought I’d drop a few ways that you can support a cause/charity – and most of these can be done from the comfort of your couch. Most of these take so little time…

– Like, comment on & share social posts – it’s free! Make it a calendar-noted habit, not just an occasion passing thought ps. social media managers LOVE discovering new ‘super fans’ trust me, your ears will burn as they see you turn up.

– Raise your voice – sign a petition, peacefully march in a protest, use your networks to make change.

– Donate – give what you can: minutes, manpower (aka people), money, megadata* & can you get your workplace or community involved? Some of my proudest employee moments were instigating and organising annual bake sales and collections and donating skills. CSR tick, sure. Heart warming, absolutely.

– Volunteer – got a spare hour each week? Take a friend, double the love. Better yet, use those corporate volunteering days up and take your whole TEAM.

– Mentor someone – offer a cup of coffee and a wise ear, or go whole hog and give someone a year of advice.

– Help a mum struggling with a pram up a flight of stairs, help an old couple with heavy luggage onto a train, get a piping hot cuppa & a sarnie for someone homeless.