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How to volunteer with the kids this Christmas 2019

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Christmas is the season of giving - and what better way to give than by volunteering? Volunteering is a great way to give something back to the community, make friends and could prove to be a fun activity for the family.

We’ve put together a few ideas for volunteering your time this Christmas, and helping a charity together might just be your family's favourite memory this year.
 

1. Give Santa a gift for a refugee at the St Albans Museum + Gallery with St Albans for Refugees

When: Saturday 14th December 2019, 10am - 4pm

Where: St Albans Museum + Gallery Market Place St Peter's Street St Albans AL3 5DJ

Father Christmas has got together with St Albans for Refugees (StAR) and will be visiting St Albans Museum + Gallery in the Market Place on 14th December 2019. This is a Christmas Grotto with a difference. Everyone can come to see Father Christmas free of charge and all we ask is that you bring a Christmas present for a refugee. Those who don't have time to buy a present can make a small monetary donation on the day. Photographs can be taken free of charge and each child will receive a lollipop and a letter from Father Christmas.

Suitable presents include: hats, scarves, gloves, socks, warm waterproof jackets, jogging bottoms, walking boots, hoodies, sleeping bags, blankets and underwear.

All items can be second hand in good condition, except underwear.

For more information, go to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2576595055755902/  or http://stalbansforrefugees.org 

 

2. Fill a handbag with essential toiletries for The Hygiene Bank

The Hygiene Bank Harpenden & St Albans are just like a food bank, but for hygiene. In their mission to end hygiene poverty, this Christmas they are launching a fantastic new campaign called #itsinthebag which involves filling a pre-owned handbag with essentials such as toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel and baby wipes, and dropping it off at one of the many collection points in St Albans (The Beech House, St Albans is one) - perfect for when you're Christmas shopping. 

Please have a look at their website for the full list of items that are particularly needed, and the full list of St Albans-based drop off points: https://www.thehygienebank.com/christmas-campaign-itsinthebag  

 

3. Take the kids to visit The Abbeyfield Society residents

When: 1stDecember-31stDecember 2019

Where: See below

There are 2 locations to choose from:

  • Donaldson Lodge, 10a Manor Road, Potters Bar, EN6 1DG
  • Abbeyfield House, 2 Pound Avenue, Stevenage, SG1 3JA

Abbeyfield is a national charity dedicated to the care and support of older people. Throughout the month of December, Abbeyfield invite volunteers to share time with the residents. To help make this Christmas the best Christmas ever, they are looking for a whole range of Santa’s little helpers to support the events. We know that volunteering has no age barrier and are looking for helpers of all ages to join in the festive fun. There will be festive sing-a-longs, delicious home-cooked meals and best of all, great company. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that many of the residents would otherwise have spent this time alone.

Roles may include:

  • Laughing, chatting and the odd ‘Ho,ho,ho!’ 
  • Bringing the X-factor to the carol sing along 
  • Being ready to lose at board games
  • Getting covered in glue and glitter during crafts
  • Serving mince pies and the odd glass of sherry!

This is an opportunity for you to share your time and support older people at this, what can be lonely, time of year. Contribute to the well being of others and know that you are making a real difference to the lives of older people. 

Register your interest here: https://www.abbeyfield.com/get-involved/volunteer/

4. Help out The Mixed Group at the Christmas Day Lunch in Welwyn

Douglas Tilbe House Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4PH

The Mixed Group host a Christmas Day meal for the lonely and elderly every year.

Guests on Christmas Day are from the Welwyn Hatfield District and come from such towns and villages as Potters Bar, Welham Green, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn and Woolmer Green and beyond. They normally cater for around 120 guests each Christmas and these guests are nominated by individuals, churches, Social Services, Scheme Managers etc. Catering for so many guests can be hard work, but through the years The Mixed Group has received many offers of help from people willing to give their valuable time on Christmas Eve to prepare the hall, and of course to serve the guests on Christmas Day.

Volunteers transport the guests to and from the hall, and they also have a group of voluntary musicians providing entertainment.

If you would like to volunteer this year, contact [email protected]

http://www.themixedgroup.org.uk/about.html

5. Can’t commit your time but would still like to do something to help?

Home-Start Hertfordshire is a local family charity that offers emotional and practical support to parents with at least one child under 12.  Teams of trained volunteers visit families in their own home, building trusted relationships and providing focused support that is tailored to the family's individual needs. All of their schemes have consistently proven to have a lasting, positive impact on the development of children and the health and welfare of families.

Donating online only takes a minute: https://www.goldengiving.com/secure/donation/home-start-hertfordshire

 


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