Where to volunteer this Christmas in Surrey & SW London

Want to spread some Christmas magic? Try volunteering, says Alice Cairns.

Frost-spangled fir trees, fairy lights and feasting: Christmas is upon us once again! With party invites in hand and carols ringing in our ears, it can be all too easy to forget that for some, the advent of the festive season brings little more than hardship and isolation.

Luckily, plenty of local charities and organisations run volunteer programmes dedicated to helping those in need of a little festive support. We've identified local charities that not only offer Christmas volunteering specifically, but also roles and opportunities that continue throughout the year.

Not only does taking part allow you to step into Christmas with a clear conscience, but it’s also a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and make festive memories. And you never know: if you enjoy your Christmas volunteering, you might want to keep it up for the rest of the year.

1. Crisis at Christmas

Every Christmas, Crisis UK runs a popular volunteering programme dedicated to bringing the homeless of London in from the cold.

There’s a range of volunteer roles available, so almost everybody should be able to find something that’s a good match for their skill set.

Love fitness? You could lead homeless guests in a yoga class. Technological whizz? Help guests get online. Inveterate night owl? Try a night shift. Browse through the options on their website to find the perfect role for you.

Find nearby Christmas volunteer positions at Crisis here.

2. YMCA at St Paul's Group

Many vulnerable young people can expect to be lonely, hungry and cold this Christmas.

The YMCA is the oldest and largest youth charity in the world, providing accommodation, resources, and advice to young people in need of support.

They’re always looking for volunteers, and do their best to tailor the work to suit your skill-set and interests, whether that means running a fitness class or working in the café.

Your support is particularly valued in the winter months, when YMCA centres in Surbiton, Kingston, Hampton and Wimbledon hold annual Christmas dinners and community lunches that are staffed by volunteers.

Find local volunteering opportunities for the YMCA here.

3. Home-Start Richmond

Christmas is all about family – and so is Home-Start.

Operating in Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow, it's a charity that supports struggling parents with children under five.

As a Home-Start volunteer, you’ll be matched with a vulnerable family and will offer support and friendship during a weekly visit.

The festive season can pile intolerable pressure on parents who are already facing problems like bereavement, post-natal depression and disabilities - a cup of tea, a chat and a mince pie could make a big difference.

Find ways you can help out at Home-Start here.

5. Challengers

Guildford-based Challengers is dedicated to delivering inclusive play and leisure for disabled children and young people across Surrey and South West London, including Farnham and Kingston and Richmond.

It’s all about having fun without boundaries, supporting guests of all abilities to try activities like go-karting, art, puzzles, baking or swimming.

Christmas volunteers might help out at one-off events, or take advantage of the festive spirit with a little bucket shaking.

Discover volunteering opportunities at Challengers here.

6. Voluntary Action

Voluntary Action matches people who want to volunteer with local not-for-profit organisations. There are branches of Voluntary Action dedicated to South West Surrey, Reigate and Banstead and Kingston.

Find volunteering opportunities in: SW Surrey, Reigate and Banstead and Kingston.

7. Do-It

Do-It is an invaluable database that helps you to find volunteering opportunities in your local area. Search by location or activity and find more than a million jobs at your fingertips.

Search their database for opportunities here.

8. Timebank

A national volunteering charity that recruits and trains volunteers to tackle complex social problems in their local area.

Have a look at their website to see how you can get involved and have a positive impact on someone's life.

Find out ways you can help Timebank here.

9. Charity Job

Charity Job is the database for charity jobs around the UK - just as the name suggests. Although there are listings for paid roles in the third sector, the volunteering section also has a multitude of possible places where you can go and help out. Definitely worth checking out!

In addition to all of these fantabulous organisations, if you have a particular cause which you are passionate about, then you can always get in contact with them, via their website, and find out what availability there is in your community.

Search the Charity Job database here.

10. Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home

Rescue animals still need looking after during the busy festive season! Every year, about 50 volunteers spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day at Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home, helping to care for the animals that haven’t been lucky enough to find their forever home.

In an utterly heart-warming turn of events, Battersea plays carols for the animals, mists the kennels with festive scents like frankincense and nutmeg, and serve a special Christmas dinner complete with treats for our furry friends. What better way to channel the Christmas spirit?

Find ways you can help out here.

11. Marie Curie

If you only have a couple of hours to spare, never fear! Marie Curie is looking for volunteers to spend just two hours of their time collecting Christmas donations in their local area.

Gather a group of friends, dress up in as much yellow as you can muster and head to your nearest collection point (they’re located all over Surrey and South West London, including Guildford, Epsom, Kingston and Richmond).

The money you raise will go to terminally ill people and their families, providing care and support for those who may be spending their last Christmas together.

Get involved locally here.

12. The Trussell Trust

Roast dinners, cheese boards and endless Quality Street – no one wants to go hungry in the season of feasting.

The Trussell Trust is a network of food banks dedicated to ending hunger in the UK. There are branches across Surrey and South West London, including in Richmond, Woking, Kingston and Wandsworth.

Volunteers are always in demand, but never more so than during the busy Christmas season. If you fancy a behind-the-scenes role, you could help out in the warehouse, sorting stock and making up food parcels.

If you’d prefer to be at the centre of the action, you can volunteer in a centre, making tea and providing meals.

Find a role that suits you here.

13. Host UK

Christmas can be a pretty lonely time of year for international students who aren’t able to travel home for the holidays.

Host UK is a unique scheme that allows volunteers to host students in their own homes - a kind of mini cultural exchange.

The programme is particularly in demand over Christmas, and festive visits normally last three days.

Chat, share a meal, play board games, and make a new friend! Remember: you don’t have to live near a university to take part.

Find a way to lend a helping hand here.

14. Age UK Wandsworth

For the 10,000 older people living alone in Wandsworth, Christmas can feel like just another lonely day.

That’s why Age UK Wandsworth runs its Share the Love scheme, pairing volunteers with older people in need of a little human contact.

You’ll drop by once a week for a gossip, a cup of tea or a game of Scrabble, hopefully building a firm friendship.

Even a phone call or a Christmas card could bring a little magic into the life of a socially isolated older person.

Find out what you can do to help here.

15. SPEAR London

SPEAR London is looking for volunteers to help out over the busy festive period, a critical time for rough sleepers. The charity works to support homeless people across South West London, including Richmond, Kingston and Wandsworth.

As well as offering hands-on help, volunteers will be needed to man stalls at all manner of Christmassy events, chatting to passers-by about SPEAR’s invaluable work in the local community.

Find out the roles they have available here.

16. Write for Rights

Even if you only have a little time to spare, you can still spread some Christmas goodwill! Every December, Amnesty International runs a letter-writing campaign for those whose basic human rights are being threatened. It can be as simple as a postcard scribbled on your commute, or an email sent during your lunch break. This year, the campaign is focusing on young people – your message of solidarity could reach a teenager on death row, a young activist fighting climate change, or a student held in a political re-education camp.

Discover the possibilities behind putting pen to paper here.