Many small charities go unnoticed, often overshadowed by larger organisations or are supporting a cause with less awareness. Although the goal is always to provide services, assistance, or information to suffering groups, there are people only able to receive assistance from smaller non-profits with a specific mission. It isn’t easy to find these charities, or to be sure whether their aspirations align with yours. Hopefully, we can introduce you to ten amazing charities in need of support today!
1. WOW! Youth Musical Theatre
Our first wonderful organisation is WOW! Youth Musical Theatre. This small charity was formed as a junior society in 1982 by Janet Stockley and Pauline Wootten, following a successful performance of Oliver. Janet Stockley remains active as their president today. Their aim is to develop the confidence, talent and teamwork of those between ten and eighteen years old. Through producing fantastic stage productions of musicals we all adore, young people are encouraged to socialise and explore their creativity.
Auditions may be over for their upcoming productions of The WOW! Show (2025) and Legally Blonde (2026), but make sure to catch their showings! For more information on how you can get involved, visit their website.
2. Willow’s Rainbow Box
This lovely organisation was founded by Amneet Graham after a loss during her pregnancy in 2017. Falling pregnant again in 2018, Amneet found herself suffering with severe anxiety originating from her miscarriage. Subsequently, she decided to use her experiences to start a non-profit in 2019. Willow’s Rainbow Box aims to provide comfort boxes, community and support to those experiencing pregnancy following a loss through miscarriage, neonatal health or stillbirth.
Currently, boxes can only be delivered to those living throughout England, but as their resources grow, so will their range. In one of these beautiful packages, you will find the following:
- Information leaflets from several baby loss charities.
- A journal.
- Hope and support flash cards.
- A crochet pack.
- Dads and partners resource leaflet.
- An A5 colouring page with pencils.
- An A5 rainbow print.
As well as having an active Givey online free donation page for any donations, they manage a store on their website. Their shop offers rainbow boxes if you are not eligible for a free box, crochet decorations, and specific items from their boxes. All proceeds from any sales made go straight back into the charity to help expand their boxes and fund the work they do.
3. Friends of Doxford Park
Set up in 2016, Friends of Doxford Park provide day to day management of Doxford Park. Sunderland Council still carry out any work requiring heavy machinery, but daily upkeep is fulfilled purely by volunteers. Awarded charity status in 2022, this small non-profit’s mission is to ensure Doxford Park is a pleasant place to be.
Currently, Friends of Doxford Park are raising funds to replace their only accessible bench, which was destroyed in a fire. With only £253 left to raise, donations of any amount will help towards the purchase of a brand new bench. If you’d like to help, leave a donation on their Givey fundraising page and spread the word! If you’d like to help, leave a donation on their Givey fundraising page and spread the word!
4. Heart for Chorley
Our next small charity, Heart for Chorley, supports those experiencing financial hardship and at risk of homelessness. Founders John Handforth and Sean Reddaway hold over thirty years of experience in addiction recovery, developing coaching packages and housing support. Through community funding and grants, Heart for Chorley offers coaching, mentoring and training in various areas. A few examples of their training courses are personal growth, executive business and accelerated learning.
If you’d like more information, you can fill out their online form and they will get back to you.
5. Menopause Cafe
Menopause Cafe has a very interesting start to their story, all beginning with Kirsty Wark’s BBC programme Menopause and Me. Founder Rachel Weiss organised the very first Menopause Cafe in Perth, Scotland, inspired by Wark’s work. Using social media to their advantage, awareness of this new event supporting such an underrepresented topic spread quickly. From there, Menopause Cafes have remained a huge success.
Through their Givey donation page, online store, and events, you can contribute to their mission! If you’re interested in visiting one of their cafes, just check their events map and calendar for one near you. Enjoy some delicious food and fun conversation!
6. Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities
The next adventurous group is Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities! Organising activities for people with disabilities and their families, alongside offering services including but not limited to the following:
- Youth groups.
- Art groups.
- Walking groups.
- Health Improvement Service.
- Family Transition Service.
Conwy Connect’s mission is to raise the voices of and break down barriers for people with learning disabilities. To make the lives of beneficiaries and their families easier, more comfortable and filled with opportunities for growth. There are several ways you can get involved with Conwy Connect, whether it’s joining the team as their new Regional Self Advocacy Officer, donating to their Givey page, or signing up to be a volunteer!
7. North Norfolk Talking Paper
The North Norfolk Talking Paper formed in 1985, producing a weekly talking newspaper for the blind and visually impaired. Their mission is to relieve the strain of simply hearing the news, something that we take for granted every day. Newsquest Media Group Ltd were kind enough to allow North Norfolk Talking Paper to edit and reproduce their weekly newspaper, The North Norfolk News, redistributing it in the format of memory sticks with assistance from The Royal Mail.
There are multiple ways to listen, one notable method being the free recordings on their website. Other ways include calling this number 01263 363 364 (call charges may apply), the Speech Talking Newspaper app available on selected Apple devices and Android, or requesting a memory stick from their Listening Liaison Officer. The Royal Mail sends the memory sticks out every Friday, which are delivered and returned free of charge.
If you’d like to support this incredible effort, sign up to volunteer or donate to their online Givey page today!
8. Global Treehouse Foundation
The aim of the Global Treehouse Foundation is to provide children access to the palliative care they need. All while supporting them in living their lives to the fullest. By building a caring community of people going through similar experiences, this small charity ensures that no family feels isolated in their own situation. As medical conditions become more complex, facilitating funding for paediatric end-of-life care has become increasingly urgent. The Global Treehouse Foundation team works hard in gathering networks of people to advance and sustain the development of new palliative care services.
If you’d like to donate to their cause, go to their website or free online donation page.
There are many ways we can make a difference in the lives of those who benefit from non-profit organisations. Whether we donate to small charities fighting to improve quality of life for specific groups, or sign up to volunteer ourselves. We must get show that we care in a world that vastly undervalues those who need support the most.
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