CHRISTMAS is the season of giving – and what better way to get in the festive spirit than by volunteering for a good cause in Oldham?
There is a growing trend for micro-volunteering, where people volunteer their time in short and convenient chunks to charitable projects.
This could include one-off volunteering at a yuletide event, such as helping Tameside 4 Good collect donations for the Tameside Christmas Toy Appeal and delivering them to Tameside Children’s Centres.
Festive volunteer roles include everything from serving Christmas meals and befriending people who might otherwise be alone over the holiday period to supporting a local carol service by welcoming people and handing out hymn sheets.
Liz Windsor-Welsh, chief executive at Action Together, commented: “There is a belief that Christmas is a fun time of the year for everyone.
“Action Together works with and supports Oldham and Tameside community and voluntary organisations that help people who face a wide range of challenges throughout the year but Christmas can add extra pressure to families and older people as children are off school and the temperature drops.
“We know it’s a time when many of the people in our communities are feeling especially alone and isolated from all the festivities.
“Volunteering to help local community and voluntary organisations is a great way to spread festive cheer by sharing some precious time to ease that loneliness and support people to enjoy some of the fun.
“My appeal to you is please consider if you could spare a few hours to make a difference to someone’s life.”
According to the Royal Voluntary Society, one in five adults in the UK intends to volunteer over the festive season, and together will contribute more than 50 million hours of service.
Volunteer Centre Oldham and Tameside, part of the Action Together family, has a variety of local Christmas volunteer opportunities. To find out more and get involved, visit www.actiontogether.org.uk/festive-volunteering, call 0161 339 2345 or email volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk
In Oldham, visit the team at 12 Manchester Chambers, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF, or in Tameside find them at 95-97 Penny Meadow, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6EP.