30 Good Deeds To See You Through January And Beyond

16. Cook A Meal For Your Parents

Growing up, we can sometimes take our parents for granted. Invite them over for a home-cooked meal to say thanks for all they’ve done – their appreciation will be through the roof.

17. Host A Refugee

Charities like Refugees at Home are working hard to match families with refugees or asylum seekers in the UK who would otherwise be homeless. We spoke to two hosts about how having a refugee staying with them had been a joyous and wonderful experience.

18. Switch Your Meat Dish For A Veggie Option

Avid meat eater? Why not switch one or two meals a week for a veggie substitute? Ditching meat and dairy is the most effective way people can lessen their impact on the planet, according to a major analysis.

19. Pay For Someone’s Coffee

You can pay it forward in many ways, but one of the simplest routes is to pay for the coffee of the person behind you next time you’re getting your morning flat white. 

20. Give Up Your Seat On Public Transport

It’s easy to sit down on the train and shut your eyes or get lost in a good book, but it’s important to be aware of those around you. If someone is standing up who clearly would be better off sitting down, do the right thing. 

21. Help Someone Struggling With Heavy Bags

Fairly self-explanatory – just don’t put your back out in the process.

22. Turn Off Your Phone At The Dinner Table

We’re all guilty of paying more attention to our phone screens than those around us. If you’ve been invited out for dinner with someone, don’t sit there looking at your phone. Make an effort, listen to them, be present.

23. Donate Blood

This can genuinely save lives and is so important, especially during the winter months when the NHS is running on fumes. 

[Read More: Here are 11 strangers who’ve made someone’s day with small but mighty acts of kindness]

24. Buy A Bird Feeder – And Fill It

The bee population isn’t the only one to take a hit. Birds are also struggling. According to the RSPB there has been a serious, countrywide decline in the numbers of many birds, including the song thrush, skylark, lapwing and house sparrow. Putting a bird feeder in your garden can help give local bird populations a boost, especially through the harsher winter months.

25. Give Unused Pet Toys To An Animal Shelter 

Is there a box of cat food sitting in a cupboard that your moggy just won’t eat? Or perhaps there’s a dog bed your pampered pooch won’t even go near? These items could be donated to a local animal shelter where they’d make the world of difference to abandoned animals, who aren’t privy to such luxuries. 

26. Send Toiletries To Beauty Banks 

Beauty Banks is a non-profit which works like a foodbank, but distributes toiletries and beauty items instead. It accepts toiletries of all kinds – although they must be full size, new, unused and in-date. Send items to Beauty Banks, c/o The Communications Store, 2 Kensington Square, London W8 5EP.

27. Learn A Skill That Helps Other

Mental health first aid, sign language, CPR – there are so many skills you can learn which not only benefit yourself, but could help others dramatically.

28. Support A Homeless Person Into Work 

Beam is a crowdfunding tool which enables the public to donate money to help homeless people train for work. It’s helped hundreds of people find their feet.

29. Walk A Stray Dog

Take inspiration from Battersea volunteer Angela Cox and sign up to help walk the dogs at your local shelter – it’s good exercise for you, too. 

30. Donate To Charity On Payday

On payday, donate a fiver, tenner or something a little more to your favourite charity – think of it as a belated Christmas gift.