Important Causes ❤️

I realise that on my blog I have not mentioned enough causes that I really care about and support in real life. I want this blog not only to be a positive space but also a place where we can make positive change. Here I hope to include links, fundraisers, ways to donate and information on how to tackle *some* of the problems faced in our society. There are many worthy causes and this below does not include everything and is not an exhaustive list. I also would love to include some of my own designs in the future, as a way of fundraising for charities. I will include a variety of ways to help as I am aware that not everyone is in a financial position to donate. This will grow over the years. There are so many things we need to be vocal about and tackle. So many that it is impossible to cover them all here. These causes are also not in any way listed in terms of priority - I believe that due to intersectionality (where inequalities do not operate in isolation and certain individuals may face multiple barriers) we need to do our best to tackle all inequalities equally to ensure we live in a fairer society for all.

Below I am including not just ways of making a difference that requires you to donate your money, but also ways you can help charities and raise funds without donating money. I am only recommending things I have used, and have found useful.

General things you can do:

Hold - this is an app that helps with productivity especially if you find you are getting distracted by your phone. It rewards you with points that you can use to get discounts on products or to donate money to charity. The charities and products are changed every so often.

Ecosia - this is a search engine like Google you can use. But, in using this search engine part of the profits are used to plant trees, helping the environment.

The FreeRice App- a free multiple-choice game that through ads donates 10 grains of rice to people in need.
*QMEE extension - this is an extension where you can earn money through browsing, and also taking surveys. Within the extension, there is an option to donate to charity through QMEE directly or alternatively you can transfer money to your own account and donate it to any charity of your choice.

*this is an affiliate link which means I may earn a small commission if you use these links at no extra cost to you.

Immigration:

Especially recently, with the rise of populism in politics, immigrants are often discriminated against and scapegoated for problems in the country. Common ideas like they are 'all criminals', a drain on the economy and just claim benefits float around (this is not true as most immigrants don't qualify for legal benefits). The case of Dano (EU law) means that an immigrant within the EU cannot move to another member state solely to claim benefits.

This is something really close to home as I wouldn't be in the UK if my parents had not immigrated from Spain.

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

Legal Aid:

As an aspiring solicitor, I believe that everyone should be able to access representation. In the UK however, there have been increasing cuts to legal aid which means that this often does not happen and is increasingly difficult. Representation should not just be for those who can afford it.

Law Works

Racism:

Many groups experience racism - Asian people, Hispanic people, Black people. Each of their experiences will be different. Below are some resources - I cannot speak on behalf of any of these groups as I am not a part of them so am constantly trying to stay as educated as possible.

Fighting racism against the black community:

As someone who has never experienced racism and never will, it is so important I listen to people's experiences and learn from them.

Books:

This is a place you can start in understanding racism, but is definitely not exhaustive.

Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible- Yomi Adegoke & Elizabeth Uviebinené

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Renni Eddo-Lodge

Fighting racism against the Latin American community:

NALEO Educational Fund

Hispanic heritage

LADPP - specifically focuses on fighting discrimination against disabled Latin Americans in the UK.

Fighting racism against the Asian community:

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

LGBTQ:

Outright Action International. Although I am not part of the community, no one should be discriminated against for being different and forming part of this community.

Disability:

I volunteered with LADPP (Latin American Disabled People's Project) one summer and the work they do is incredible (the staff are also lovely and very welcoming). LADPP work to remove the barriers disabled people face particularly focusing on those whose first language is not English and Spanish or Portuguese.

Click here for more information on how you can support and get involved.

Women's rights:

As a female, the fact that I may face discrimination solely because of my sex is sad. But, I can acknowledge that in many ways I am lucky and in a position of privilege. However, women still do not have equality of opportunity, especially in some countries where girls don't even have access to an education. That needs to change.

Action Aid focuses on providing girls with an education.
Girls Out Loud empowers girls in the UK.

Mental Health:

Mental health is still stigmatised in society and generally offered less attention than physical health. However, I think it is just as important as physical health and can have a real impact on people's lives. Mental health and physical health go hand in hand and it is so important people have access to the mental health support they need. Unfortunately, cuts in the funding mental health receives countrywide mean a lot of people do not have access to the help (sometimes life-saving) that they need.