How To Help
How To Get Involved With Children's Education Charities
By global standards, we're fortunate to have a great education system here in the UK. But that's not to say every single child gets the quality of education they deserve, or that any particular needs they may have are catered to. What's more, around the world, there are so many children who don't benefit from the strong educational structures we have here in Britain - or who aren't able to receive an education due to things like poverty and war. The good news is that there are some incredible organisations working to right this wrong, and they'd love to have your help.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A CHILDREN'S EDUCATION CHARITY?
Whether it's realising their potential or gaining skills to lift themselves out of poverty, every child deserves the chance to get a good start in life. Children's education charities do some superb work to try and improve the situation of children who aren't able to get the start they deserve, for whatever reason.
As well as helping a good cause, you might also find you get a lot of fulfilment from volunteering, particularly when you know you're providing support to the most vulnerable members of our society, and brightening futures far beyond the present day.
HOW TO HELP CHILDREN'S EDUCATION CHARITIES
Volunteer Your Time
In 2017, Save the Children helped over 840,000 children through education programmes in the UK and around the world. With over 100 shops across the UK, volunteers are crucial for raising funds. Giving your time to a charity shop can be lots of fun, and flexible depending on when and for how long you can help.
Donate Books
Even if computers are slowly taking over our lives here in the UK, books still play a major role in education around the world. As well as learning, reading is a wonderful way to spark a child's imagination, so donating books can be a huge help. Charities like Book Aid International lead international book donation and library development, and beyond giving books, you could also volunteer at a warehouse that organises and distributes them abroad.
Help Children In Less Developed Countries
Many countries around the world are home to children who don't get the same opportunities as in developed countries. In Ghana, for example, half of all families live in poverty, while one in ten children die before the age of five. AfriKids is a charity that aims to inspire change through education, health and child protection; right across the continent of Africa. They say that £22 is enough to provide night school for more than 100 street children for an entire month. Volunteering or fundraising for an organisation like this can help a huge number of children learn new skills that could transform their lives.
Get Involved With Girlguiding
Girlguiding is an amazing charity that reaches right across the UK. Girls can get involved from the age of five, and spend many years learning valuable life skills, as well as building friendships, having fun and creating wonderful memories. Some 100,000 volunteers help to keep the movement going, so get involved with an organisation that makes a positive difference to the lives of over half a million girls, young women, and the communities they live in.
Help A Disabled Child
Charities such as Whizz-Kidz specialise in helping disabled children, and aim to change young lives for the better. Whether it's learning wheelchair skills or going on work placements, support for those with disabilities can make a huge difference. Whether you're helping children to engage in activities, planning and setting up events, or promoting a charity as a speaker, there are lots of ways you can get involved.
WHERE TO GET STARTED
People's Postcode Lottery supports a number of incredible children's education charities, including:
Our players have raised over £25 Million for these five charities so far.
HELPING DESERVING CAUSES
If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.
Last updated: 19/03/2021
