The Light Of God Journal https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal Practical, honest guides from a London humanitarian organisation: helping people sleeping rough, volunteering in London, clean water, Gift Aid and giving well. en-gb Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://thelightofgod.org.uk/icon-512.pngThe Light Of Godhttps://thelightofgod.org.uk/ How to help someone sleeping rough in London https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/how-to-help-someone-sleeping-rough-in-london https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/how-to-help-someone-sleeping-rough-in-london Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Street & shelter What to say, what to offer and who to call when you see someone sleeping rough in London, including StreetLink, cold weather and heatwave advice. Start by treating the person as a neighbour: say hello, ask their name and ask what would help. Offer a hot drink, food or warm socks if they want them. If they are sleeping rough, you can alert local outreach teams through StreetLink (streetlink.org.uk or 0300 500 0914). If someone is in danger or unwell, call 999.

  • A greeting and eye contact matter. Many people sleeping rough say being ignored is one of the hardest parts.
  • Ask before you give. People know what they need better than we do.
  • StreetLink connects people sleeping rough with local outreach teams across England and Wales.
  • In an emergency, or if someone seems very unwell, call 999.
  • In freezing weather London activates its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and opens extra beds.

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]]> Volunteering in London: how to find a role that fits your life https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/volunteering-in-london https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/volunteering-in-london Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Volunteering A practical guide to volunteering in London: the kinds of roles available, where to find them, one-day and Christmas volunteering, DBS checks and getting started. To volunteer in London, decide how much time you can give and what you enjoy, then search the national Do IT database, ask your local volunteer centre, or contact organisations you care about directly. Many roles, from food banks to befriending, need no experience. Roles with children or vulnerable adults usually need a DBS check, which is free for volunteers.

  • Decide on time and interest first. It makes the search far easier.
  • The Do IT database lists thousands of London roles, searchable by postcode.
  • One-off and seasonal roles exist, but popular dates such as Christmas fill early.
  • Roles with children or vulnerable adults usually need a DBS check, free for volunteers.
  • Skills-based volunteering lets professionals give expertise remotely.

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]]> Why clean water matters: what 2.1 billion people are still missing https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/why-clean-water-matters https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/why-clean-water-matters Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Clean water Why clean water matters for health, school, work and dignity. The latest WHO and UNICEF figures on safe drinking water, and what donors can do about it. Clean water matters because it prevents disease, frees time (usually women's and girls' time) that would otherwise be spent collecting water, keeps children in school and lets families work and live with dignity. According to WHO and UNICEF, 2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, including 106 million who drink untreated surface water.

  • 2.1 billion people, one in four worldwide, lack safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF, 2025).
  • 106 million people still drink directly from rivers, lakes and ponds.
  • 3.4 billion people lack safely managed sanitation.
  • Clean water affects health, education, income and safety all at once.
  • Lasting projects depend on local partners, maintenance and community ownership.

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]]> Wells, boreholes and taps: how clean water projects actually work https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/how-clean-water-projects-work https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/how-clean-water-projects-work Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Clean water A plain-English guide to how clean water projects work in rural Africa: hand-dug wells, boreholes, rainwater, piped schemes, and why maintenance decides success. Clean water projects bring safe water closer to homes using the right technology for the place: protected hand-dug wells, drilled boreholes with hand pumps or solar pumps, rainwater harvesting, spring protection or small piped networks. The projects that last are chosen with the community and have a clear plan and budget for maintenance and repair.

  • There is no single best technology. The right one depends on geology, rainfall and population.
  • Boreholes reach deeper groundwater and are usually more reliable than shallow wells.
  • Maintenance, spare parts and local ownership decide whether a water point keeps working.
  • Water quality testing should happen before and after a source is opened.
  • Ask any water charity who repairs the pump when it breaks.

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]]> How to check a charity is legitimate in the UK before you give https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/how-to-check-a-charity-is-legitimate https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/how-to-check-a-charity-is-legitimate Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Giving well How to check a UK charity before donating: the Charity Commission register, the Fundraising Regulator, warning signs of scams, and questions every donor can ask. To check a UK charity, search its name or number on the Charity Commission register (England and Wales), OSCR (Scotland) or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Look at its accounts, trustees and purpose, check its website and contact details, and be wary of pressure, vague claims or requests for unusual payment methods. Organisations with an annual income under £5,000 are not required to register.

  • Search the official charity registers for the right part of the UK.
  • Charities in England and Wales must register once income reaches £5,000 a year (CIOs always register).
  • Look at accounts, trustees and stated purpose, not just the logo.
  • Be cautious about pressure, urgency and unusual payment methods.
  • Report suspected fraud to Action Fraud.

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]]> Gift Aid explained: how it works, and when it applies https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/gift-aid-explained https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/gift-aid-explained Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Giving well How Gift Aid works in the UK: the extra 25p per £1, who can use it, higher-rate tax relief, declarations, and why new, unregistered groups cannot claim it yet. Gift Aid lets UK charities and community amateur sports clubs claim an extra 25p from HMRC for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer, at no cost to the donor. You must have paid enough Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax in the tax year to cover the amount claimed. Higher and additional rate taxpayers can claim extra relief through their tax return. Only organisations recognised by HMRC as charities can claim.

  • Gift Aid adds 25p to every £1 you give, paid by HMRC to the charity.
  • You must be a UK taxpayer who has paid enough tax to cover it.
  • Higher-rate taxpayers can claim back the difference through Self Assessment.
  • A simple declaration is needed, and you must tell charities if your tax situation changes.
  • Only organisations recognised by HMRC as charities can claim Gift Aid.

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]]> Charity fundraising ideas that work: 40 ways to raise money together https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/charity-fundraising-ideas https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/charity-fundraising-ideas Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Fundraising Forty practical charity fundraising ideas for work, school, church and home, from bake sales to challenges, plus UK rules on raffles, collections and food safety. Good charity fundraising ideas match the people involved: bake sales, quiz nights and dress-down days at work; sponsored reading or talent shows at school; community dinners and concerts at a place of worship; and sponsored challenges such as walks, runs or giving something up. Set a clear target, tell people what the money will do, and check rules on raffles, street collections and food.

  • Pick an idea that suits your people and your time, not the most ambitious one.
  • A clear target and a clear purpose raise more than a vague appeal.
  • Online fundraising pages make it easy for friends and family to give.
  • Raffles, street collections and food all have rules worth checking.
  • Always thank people and tell them what their money achieved.

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]]> Where to donate winter coats and warm clothes in London https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/where-to-donate-winter-coats-in-london https://thelightofgod.org.uk/journal/where-to-donate-winter-coats-in-london Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMT Street & shelter How to donate winter coats and warm clothes in London so they reach people who need them: day centres, shelters, clothing banks, what to give and what to avoid. To donate winter coats in London, contact a local homeless day centre, night shelter, refugee or migrant support service, or community clothing bank and ask what they need before dropping anything off. Clean, warm, practical coats in good condition are most useful, along with new socks, underwear, gloves and hats. Charity shops also accept coats and sell them to fund their work.

  • Always check what an organisation needs before you drop off donations.
  • Clean, warm, practical coats are most useful. Large men's sizes are often in short supply.
  • New socks and underwear are among the most needed and least donated items.
  • Homeless Link's directory can help you find local services.
  • Charity shops turn donated coats into funds for their cause.

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