For international residents spending Christmas in Italy, the festive period can be a lonely time, far away from friends and family. But as the saying goes, Christmas is a time for giving – and giving your time to others in need will not only be gratefully received but will make any foreigner feel more connected to their community in Italy. You’ll probably make some new friends too.

There are many different groups who would appreciate some extra help while everyone else is exchanging gifts and gorging on food and wine. Depending where you live, you could make it your New Year's resolution to become a dedicated volunteer for one of the major global charities working across Italy, such as Oxfam, Save the Children, Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) or the Red Cross. Many will ask you to complete some training and basic checks beforehand, but it will be worth it if you’re planning to volunteer long-term.