Be a Translator

If you know several languages fluently, why not volunteer your services to one of the organisations below. They are all crying out for people with language skills.  

Babels

Babels is an international network of volunteer interpreters and translators whose main objective is to cover the interpreting needs of the Social Forums, where shared issues are discussed, be they about the environment, globalisation, war or injustice. Many languages covered.

Time Taken:  Up to 30 minutes a session! Honest, honnête, ehrlich, honesto!

Impact: Gives a voice to peoples of different languages and cultures

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 4 more to explore!

Contribute to a Support Group

The following links will take you to forums on the web that offer support/advice for people facing various life issues. If you feel inclined to help somebody overcome a difficult time in their life, then check out the websites below.

iVillage

Are you able to offer advice / help on life issues that are affecting people right now. iVillage has a massive list of message boards on a huge range of topics. If you want to help out in this way, you won't be short of a topic to pick.

Time Taken:  Up to 20 minutes a question!

Impact: Provides support for people going through a tough time

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: 100% full-on pyjama zone!

Similar sites: 5 more to explore!

Donate Your Hair

If you have hair, then why not consider donating it to the organisations listed in this category. Some organisations require hair to meet a certain criteria, whilst others do not.

Locks of Love

Donate your hair to Locks of Love to create the highest quality hair prosthetics for financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Time Taken:  It's over in a snip! Hair today, gone tomorrow!!

Impact: Helps to restore children's self-esteem and confidence

Cost: Postage costs

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 3 more to explore!

Donate Your Knowledge / Expertise

If you're knowledgeable about certain topics, then why not freely share that knowledge by helping to answer questions posed by all sorts of people. The links below cover a huge range of issues, so there's bound to something there in which you can help out.

Advicenators!

Advicenators is a free website where people can get free advice and give advice freely to those who seek to have their questions answered. Many, many topics covered and you can even have your own advice column.

Time Taken:  10 - 15 minutes a question, but if you've done your homework, maybe less!

Impact: Helps to put people's minds at rest with answers and advice

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: 100% full-on pyjama zone!

Similar sites: 7 more to explore!

E-Mentoring

E-mentoring is all about sharing your knowledge and wisdom to help somebody achieve their aspirations or guide them in a difficult choice. If you think you can do this via email or forums, then check out one of the worthy causes below.

Horsesmouth

If you've lived, you've learned. What pearls of wisdom could you pass on to somebody facing a choice, a challenge or a change in life? With Horsesmouth, you could share some of your experience and become a mentor to guide somebody through the maze of life.

Time Taken:  Under 30 minutes to help a lifetime!

Impact: Potential to change somebody's life

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: 100% full-on pyjama zone!

Similar sites: 11 more to explore!

Letter Writing

People in prison are human beings too. If you can look beyond their situation in life then a letter from a member of the public, will show them that they are not forgotten. Check out the following links, if this appeals to you.

SACC

Could you write a letter to a prisoner held in connection with terrorism. They are placed under enormous stress, many are in very fragile mental health. Letters are a lifeline for them. If you think you could, then the service provided by 'Scotland Against Criminalising Communities' is just for you.

Time Taken:  Up to 30 minutes a letter!

Impact: Makes forgotten people feel that they are remembered

Cost: Postage costs of a letter

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 2 more to explore!

Locate Missing People

The following sites assist to provide details on people and children that have been reported as missing. Check out any one of the sites below – you never know, you actually might be the person with the key information that relocates them.

The Doe Network

The Doe Netwok runs an international missing people database. Check out the details and photos of people who are listed as missing and if you know of somebody's whereabouts, report it.

Time Taken:  Upwards from a couple of minutes - depending on how much you know about a person

Impact: Connects families with their lost loved ones

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 6 more to explore!

Make A Sick Child or a Senior Person Smile

There are many very ill children and Seniors out there. You could put a smile on their face by corresponding with them via email or letter. Brighten up a child's or Senior's day by checking out the following websites which provide contact details of very sick children and Seniors.

Post Pals

Postpals provides a list of very sick children, to whom you can write a card, letter, Email, sign their guestbook or even send a gift to them, all in attempt to keep them smiling during the course of their illness and hopefully, eventual recovery.

Time Taken:  10 - 20 minutes – no kidding!

Impact: Puts a smile on a sick child's face - priceless!

Cost: Cost of postage (letter) or nothing (email)

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 4 more to explore!

Share an Experience / Story

Got an experience or story to share? Maybe your experience or story will help somebody get through a difficult phase in their life. Some of the websites below will donate a meal to the homeless per experience shared.

The Forgiveness Project

The Forgiveness Project works at a local, national and international level to help build a future free of conflict and violence by healing the wounds of the past. Share your story that could be included in outreach programmes and The F Word exhibition.

Time Taken:  Up to 30 minutes

Impact: Encourages people to explore the nature of forgiveness and alternatives to revenge

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 2 more to explore!

Stopping Crime

The following site exists to allow people to report a crime via a website. Check it out to see if you can help them. Your never know, you might have the vital information that they’re looking for.

Crime Stoppers International

Check through the crimes reported on these websites. If you have any information that might be helpful to the police, then report it. The link below will take you to the international site from where you can pick your country and view the dastardly deeds.

Time Taken:  From a couple of minutes upwards – it'll be criminal if you spend less!

Impact: Makes this world a safer place to live in

Cost: Nothing

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: 1 more to explore!

Tele Befriending

There are many people who, for one reason or another, are housebound. They're lonely and they could do with a bit of company. The volunteering opportunity below provides details on how you can befriend somebody from your own home via the telephone.

RNIB

Participate in weekly social groups over the telephone for visually impaired people, overseen by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Make new friends, share information and support each other.

Time Taken:  Up to 30 minutes or more – depends on how good the gossip is!

Impact: Provides a 'lifeline' for visually impaired people

Cost: Depends on phone supplier, but most calls are becoming real lo-cost or free

  Pyjama Rating: Day clothes or PJs

Similar sites: Awaiting more sites!