The British Red Cross is the British branch of the Red Cross, a humanitarian network providing crisis relief in the UK and globally.
Internationally, the British Red Cross provides support for those caught up in conflict, famine, natural disasters and those living in refugee camps. In the UK, they provide help for refugees and asylum seekers, those facing loneliness and those dealing with money issues or social care issues.
How You Can Help
Time: Various | affected by Covid-19
Volunteering at the British Red Cross starts from 15 years old. If you are under 15 but want to be involved, find out about opportunities for young people.
Volunteering opportunities are hugely broad. Visit their website for the full range of opportunities, which include (but are not limited to):
- Volunteering in a local branch charity shop
- Mapping vulnerable settlements in the world (online with no experience needed)
- Supporting the wheelchair hire service or helping people live independently after a hospital stay
- Acting as an interpreter or translator for refugees
- Ambulance driving or emergency response
If you’re aged 15 to 18 (or 16 to 24 on Universal Credit) you can apply for a one-week work experience placement. There are also voluntary internships for university students or graduates, people on a gap year, or others looking for a change in career.
Please note: Some of these opportunities have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Please visit the organisation’s website for more specific guidance.
Cost: Various
Donate a sum of your choice, either as a one-off gift or on a recurring basis. You can choose to make a general donation, ‘wherever the need is greatest’, or pick from one of the organisation’s specific campaigns, for example the ‘UK Crisis Appeal’ or ‘Ebola Appeal’
You can also fundraise by organising a campaign yourself or by searching their website for upcoming physical or virtual fundraising events you can join in with.
Location: UK, Online, Global
Find out more: https://www.redcross.org.uk
(This information was updated 15/08/21 and will be checked regularly by the Do Something Directory team. If you notice any mistakes, please let us know.)