Action Aid guest posts - How to make a difference in the world without spending a ton of cash.

Dearest readers,

I'd like to open the blog today to Action Aid, an international anti-poverty agency working with the poor to help end poverty and injustice. I think they do fabulous work with peacebuilding and disaster relief, and especially with women's rights, food rights and in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Not all of us are flush with cash and can be of monetary help to organisations such as this. But Lucy from Action Aid has put together a list of things we can do without money to do the right thing. Just my style.

In today’s world there are many things we can do to help others. Whether it’s bettering the lives of those in places less fortunate than us, or raising awareness of minority rights, illnesses or poverty, there is always something that can be done.

Unfortunately, if we tried to donate to every cause or spent money to fix every issue, we’d be out of money very quickly! Thankfully, there are other ways to make the world around us a better place, ways that do not require money.

If we begin to think creatively about what we can do for others, there are a range of affordable and useful alternative things that come to mind. If you’re interested in making a positive contribution to the world around you, you can do so by thinking outside of the square!

Volunteering Your Time

If you’re looking to help out those less fortunate, one great way to do so is by taking time out of the schedule to volunteer your time! Whether it’s on a day when you don’t work, or a weekend you have free, taking some time to help out a charity like ActionAid is both a rewarding and valuable activity. From helping out at shelters for the homeless or organising awareness campaigns, you can make a real contribution to a cause.

Donating Old Clothes and Belongings

If we have a good look through our sheds and attics, we’re bound to find a whole ton of stuff we thought we’d thrown out long ago! Old track-pants, faded jeans, summer dresses and flannelettes are just some of the things we’re likely to find. There may also be old baby toys, calculators and unused notebooks that have built up over the years. With all these belongings we can make a great difference by donating it to those with less secure life, including children. So why not grab a box, fill it with some of your old stuff and take it down to a clothing bin or charity shop?

Spread the Word

A simple and often overlooked way of helping out is to let others know about what’s happening around them. Often, people are unaware serious issues both in their own surrounds and overseas. So why not take the time to have a chat with your friends, colleagues and family about what is going on in other places and with other people? Let them know that they too can do their bit to help.

With a little bit of creativity and a little bit of time, we can all do our own part in helping those who can’t enjoy the stability and comfort that we do. Now is the best time to help out in different but important ways, ways that are just as valuable as financial donations!

Lucy Rogers is a young mum with a little boy and another on the way. She and her husband run a nursery business together. Lucy finds time to cook in among her business and parenting duties.