Every year, the UK celebrates Small Charity Week. The event’s goal is to raise awareness for the thousands of local causes which make a huge difference to vulnerable communities across the UK and the rest of the world.
This year’s theme is “Resilient Charities for Stronger Communities”, and the movement is encouraging everyone to get involved in helping the small charities that matter to them.
Read on to discover eight reasons to celebrate Small Charity Week from 24 to 28 June 2024.
1. Watch your community improve
People often choose to help a cause close to their hearts. Whether you’re a cat lover helping out at your local rescue or want to give back to a charity which has supported you in the past, the causes you donate your time or money to will directly affect you and the people around you.
By helping out a small charity, you can watch the positive effect your kindness has on your local area or the group of people you care most about.
2. Help society’s most vulnerable
Often, the people turning to charities are desperate and vulnerable. Charities are designed to protect those who have nowhere else to turn, and small charities especially tend to focus on the causes that are overlooked by everyone else.
When you donate your time or money to a small charity, you know that you are helping the people who need it most.
3. It makes you feel good
Although much of the focus of charity work is on the people you are helping, it can also be good to think a little selfishly sometimes.
Not only does volunteering help make the world a better place, but acts of kindness can also boost your mood by helping you feel better about yourself and the world you live in.
4. Earn a sense of belonging
Dedicating your time to a small charity will help you foster a sense of community and friendship between you and your fellow volunteers, as well as the people you support.
By volunteering, you’re not only spreading kindness in your local community but also building strong connections with the people around you.
5. Set an example for others
There is power in numbers. By helping out at your small charity of choice, you may encourage other people to do the same.
In an ideal world, charities wouldn’t have to exist. But the more people there are striving to improve the world we live in, the closer we get to a society where no one is left behind.
6. Get stuck into new opportunities
One of the benefits of helping a small charity over a larger organisation is that you can get more deeply involved in the cause.
A small charity is classed as one that makes under £1 million per year, which means that they often have fewer volunteers and resources. When you offer to help a small charity, you can help change the world while also learning new skills and experiencing incredible new things.
7. Strengthen your personal values
Many people who help charities feel they have a “moral duty” to help people less fortunate than them, which is a sentiment deeply rooted in your personal values and principles.
Having the power to improve the lives of others may come with a feeling of responsibility. Acting on this sense of obligation will help you to feel like you’re living your life true to your beliefs, making your life feel more meaningful.
8. Enjoy tax relief when you donate
A bonus of donating to a charity is that there are some methods to donate tax-free, such as when you donate directly through your payroll. It could reduce your tax bill while supporting good causes.
A financial planner can help you donate to charity as tax-efficiently as possible. Get in touch with us to add charitable donations to your financial plan, so you can save money and the world at the same time.
Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
