The act of helping others covers a broad range of subject matters – for instance, how you would help your partner achieve a goal would be completely different to the support you would offer someone in need. No matter how much you do to help, there is always more that can be done to help anyone who would benefit from a helping hand.

Whether you want to help to change the world by dedicating your time and money on a charitable project, or simply want to learn how you can be there for a loved one, below we have listed a few different ways of helping others.

Volunteering

Giving up your time for the benefit of those less fortunate is one of the best and most altruistic things that you can do. Whether it’s volunteering at a homeless shelter or giving up your time in the community, giving something back is something that more people should do.

As well as giving something back, there is a lot that you can take out of volunteering. Working alongside people from other backgrounds to achieve the same collective goal will certainly improve your social and communication skills, as well as how you work as part of a team.

Charity

When we think about helping others, charity is the first thing that comes to mind. From organising a fundraiser to giving your loose change, the importance of charity and the act of giving to those less fortunate cannot be understated.

With thousands of charities set up for all manner of causes, you can easily find a charity that is close to your heart. You can perhaps contribute to nonprofits, or even collaborate with them to come up with fundraising and raffle ideas. Whether you make a one-off donation, set-up a regular payment or raise money through an event, remember that every last penny really does help.

Showing Compassion

In order to help someone, sometimes we don’t have to give anything else other than an ear. While we read stories of those in need thousands of miles away, we can all too easily forget about those near to us who could benefit from a shoulder to cry on.

Everyone has their own story to tell and problems that they are faced with on a daily basis and, sometimes, it can all become a bit too much. Simply listening to someone talk through what is bothering them is all that it can take to turn their day around.

Understanding

As well as showing compassion, demonstrating a level of understanding goes a long way. Sometimes, you simply won’t have any understanding of how something could be affecting someone, but understanding that they are going through a difficult time is all that is needed.

In the workplace, it is the responsibility of managers whose employees come to them with issues that may affect their performance at work to show an understanding. Offering flexibility and support where needed and possible, without passing judgement or digging for more information than the employee is willing/needs to share is an obligation for all employers.

Support

If you friend, partner or family member is taking on a challenge, going for a new job or studying for an exam, do anything that you can to support them. If you are unsure of what you can do, ask how/if you can be of any help to them.

For example, if your partner is trying to lose weight and get fitter, you can support them by changing your lifestyle along with them. Eat the same meals as they do and exercise together, it is proven that people are more likely to keep to a change in lifestyle when they don’t do it alone.

As we have demonstrated, there are many ways in which we can help those in need of a helping hand. What acts of kindess do you show to those around you?

* This is a collaborative post