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I’ve recently been helping a local campaign www.keephopematernityopen.com to keep a much loved and needed local maternity unity open. We created for them a logo, brand, website, posters and sorted out their social media. I’ve really enjoyed being involved and helping out a good cause which is why i’m writing this post.

I’m one of those people who actively avoids people with clipboards in the street. You know they want your money and you know that as soon as you stop to talk to them you won’t be able to say no (it’s that or you feel guilty and horrid for the rest of the day). So you avoid eye contact, cross the street, pretend to talk on your mobile, anything to avoid them!

Whereas helping a charity or a campaign directly, being engaged and seeing the results of your efforts is a completely different and more fulfilling experience. According to research by Harvard Business School (2009) ‘giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop (with happier people giving more, getting happier, and giving even more)’. I guess that’s why Scrooge is so miserable despite all his money!

You don’t need to give a lot and it needn’t take up much of your time. We’re all good at something. Why not offer your skill to a local charity and see how you get on. They’ll probably be more grateful than any of the clients you’ve ever worked with and you’ll feel much more satisfaction.