By Laura Maia

Christmas is around the corner so here are London in Numbers'tips on how you can take part in this "season of giving":

1)[Volunteer] Looking for a place to volunteer during Christmas? Crisis, a national charity for homeless people, still have places for volunteers that want to provide immediate help to homeless people at this critical time of the year. They have different roles to fill which do not require previous experience. The volunteer has to commit to at least two shifts (of eight hours each) between 23th and 29th of December. According to the institution's Christmas volunteer team, late night shifts are now the most required. Crisis are expecting 11,000 volunteers across London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Coventry and Edinburgh. Find out more about how to become a volunteer here.

According to the latest official report, 8,108 people slept rough during 2016/17 in London, more than double the figure of 3,673 in 2009/10.

2.[Donate] It's time to donate the clothes you no longer wear or the books you no longer want on the shelf. If you do not have a charity that you often help, what about donating to Red Cross stores? Money raised in their shops fund life-saving work in the UK and overseas. Here you can check what you can donate and the nearest shop.



3.[Buy from charity shops] Do you still have gifts to buy and are looking for something original? What about buying it from charity shops such as All Aboard? According to their website, they currently support 60 charities, most of them local, which work with vulnerable children and students, the disabled, service veterans, patients and their families, senior citizens and victims of abuse. Find their nearest store here.

4.[Give blood] Have you ever thought about blood donation? Why postpone it again? Check here if you are eligible and the nearest venue. Your blood donation is a gift to people who need it in an emergency or for on-going medical treatment. It saves lives.



5.[Zero waste] Christmas leftovers can not end up in the rubbish bin in a city where both food waste and hunger coexist. What about cooking a festive pizza with your Christmas leftovers? Check this and other leftovers recipes here.

6.[Help animals] According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), they expect to take in around 19,000 animals in need this December and January. The charity is asking for help to cover the £10,000 that food for all of the animals in their centres will cost over the three days of the festive period. A £3 donation can help them feed a cat in this period, for example. Click here to learn more about the Kindness at Christmas' campaign.

7.[Kindness] Last, but not least: be kind. A Christmas card, a phone call or a simple smile can make a lot of difference in those cold days.