ChildLine urgently need more volunteers to speak to children and young people on their helpline, work with them in schools and to raise funds. Currently, ChildLine can only answer two-thirds of the 2.3 million calls they receive each year.

Do you have some spare time to help victims and witnesses of crime? If so, Victim Support needs your help. Crime doesn't stop over Christmas - you can help give the emotional support and practical help victims need to get their lives back on track.

Fancy leaving the family behind this year and setting off to help other people's? Vitalise is a national charity providing short breaks for disabled people, visually impaired people, and carers. They are looking for volunteers to help this Christmas at specially accessible residential centres accross the UK.

Ethical gifts are a great alternative to the usual haul of stocking fillers. Why not give a gift that will have a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate? £25 doesn't go very far in the UK but Oxfam can use that to give a family a goat in the developing world.

Is there something on your street you wish your council would fix? Why not love where you live and report it on Fix my Street.

Horsesmouth is a website dedicated to safe, informal online mentoring, which gives people the chance to share their life experiences to help and support others facing similar choices and challenges. If you'd like to be a mentor but can't get out to meet up with a mentee you can do it online and give your time when and where it's convenient for you.

Between 1 November and 31 January Amnesty International asks us to send a card to offer hope to someone in danger or unjustly imprisoned. These cards can also help keep them safe and play a small part in bringing about change.

Could you welcome an international student into your home for a couple of days over the festive period? You'll meet people who are interested in learning more about British culture, and learn about theirs. As well as making Christmas a bit different for you many of these students would otherwise be spending the festive season stuck in deserted university accommodation.

Are you planning on joining a gym to work off your festive excesses? What about trying a Green Gym instead? Environment charity BTCV runs practical conservation activities each week and your 'work out' could be planting a new hedge, cutting back an overgrown path, or helping build a community garden.

This New Year could bring you a part-time canine companion! Guide Dogs is seeking "boarders" to provide bed and breakfast accommodation for trainee guide dogs for three month periods. No particular skills are needed, but you'll have to bring the dog to your local Guide Dogs office each morning and collect it in the evening. You’ll receive full training on dog care and behaviour.