5 Ways to do Good with an Alternative Lent

Shrove Tuesday is only a few days away which heralds the start of Lent. Whilst the New Year is the perfect time to make changes to our lives, Lent often is associated with giving something up. These two events lead us to focus on the ways we’d like to see ourselves. Perhaps we’d like to loose a little weight, quit chocolate or event give up meat and dairy.

 

 

However, for a change, why not think about starting something new and look at ways we can help others? Below is our list of 5 ways we can look to start something new in the run up to Easter and help improve the lives of others.

  1. Pass it on.

Over time we seem to accumulate clutter – from left over tins of biscuits to unwanted gifts. Well why not whisk them off to a new home where they will be better appreciated? As well as helping others you will be left with a clearer home which can ease stress and anxiety.

2. Time for Change.

Donating time can often seem more challenging than parting with money. However if you can possibly squeeze a little volunteering into your schedule, research has shown that it can boost our sense of purpose, autonomy and happiness. Those who volunteer have been shown to have better mental health than those who do not. Why not offer new parents a break by babysitting or lent an elderly neighbour a hand with their shopping?

3. Save a life

Every year in the UK, approx. 1400 people generously donate their organs after death and 1000 donate a kidney or part of their liver while still arrive. Despite their generosity, an average of 3 people in nee of a transplant die very day because there are not enough donors. It is so easy to sign up to the NHS Donor organ register: simply head to organdonation.nhs.uk.

4. Offset your carbon.

While we’re all trying to cut back on our carbon emissions, there may be some cuts that we’re unwilling or unable to make. We still like to fly on holiday, or may not have the cash to spend on a electric car. In these instances, offsetting emissions can go some way to mitigate the carbon costs.  There are may websites offering carbon offsetting schemes such as: Climate Care (climatecare.org) which provides safe drinking water in Malawi and  protects the rain forests in Brazil etc. Fly Green (flygrn.com) is dedicate to building solar panels in India and Clevel (clevel.co.uk) works to restore grasslands in Mongolia.

5. Fundraise.

Looking to get fit this year? Why not kill two birds with one stone and raise some money for a good cause along the way. Why not sign up to Race for Life and help fight cancer, or if your looking to cut down on alcohol you can try a Dryathlon for Cancer Research UK.