This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week across the UK, and the theme this year couldn’t be more meaningful to us: community.
At Just Helping, community isn’t just something we talk about, it’s the very foundation of our work. Every January, our flagship event, the Christmas tree collection and recycling campaign, mobilises thousands of volunteers and donors across the country in support of local charities. It’s a joyful, down-to-earth initiative with a simple premise: you register your Christmas tree for collection, make a donation, and in doing so, you directly support charities making a difference in your local community.
But behind that simple action lies something powerful - the ripple effect of community, connection, and care.
Mental health is something that affects us all. At different points in our lives, we may face stress, grief, loneliness, or emotional strain, or support loved ones through those challenges. While every individual’s experience is unique, one constant can help us feel less alone: community.
When people come together, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply talking, something shifts. Isolation becomes inclusion. Helplessness becomes hope. That’s why community events like ours do more than raise money, they create space for connection, purpose, and belonging.
Each year, Just Helping supports a wide network of UK charities, many of which focus on improving mental wellbeing as part of their mission. While we don’t directly provide mental health services ourselves, we’re proud to contribute to organisations working tirelessly on the front lines of emotional support and mental health resilience.
Last year alone, community contributions from our Christmas tree collections supported causes including:
Addiction recovery services
Homelessness outreach
Youth mental health initiatives
Baby and child bereavement support
Food banks
Learning disability support
Dementia care
Disability services for young people
Emergency response units
Charities focused on grief, loss, and trauma
These charities do far more than provide resources, they offer hope, dignity, and connection to people facing incredibly tough times. Many work with individuals and families whose mental health is deeply impacted by grief, illness, disadvantage, or trauma. Their work doesn’t just support the person in need, it uplifts entire families, neighbours, carers, and communities.
Volunteering and giving - whether time, energy, or funds - isn’t just about helping others. Research suggests that acts of kindness and community involvement can support our own wellbeing too. While we’re mindful not to make bold claims, we believe that doing good can feel good - even in small, quiet ways.
January, in particular, can be a tough month. The excitement of the festive season fades, the days are still dark, and many of us experience a dip in mood and energy. Taking down the Christmas decorations, once a home filled the scent of pine needles and a cosy presence of a real tree, can leave the house feeling noticeably emptier.
That’s exactly why the Just Helping Christmas tree collection feels so important. It turns one of the hardest weeks of the year into something meaningful and positive. It gives people a reason to step outside, connect with others, and do something kind for their community.
We've heard time and time again from our volunteers and supporters that delivering flyers, collecting trees, or simply chatting with neighbours about tree-cycling brings a sense of purpose and direction. It’s a gentle reminder that even during the greyest days of winter, we’re never truly alone.
And in a time when many of us feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to help, initiatives like this offer a practical, uplifting way to step out of your routine and into your community.
When you register your Christmas tree for collection with Just Helping, you’re doing more than getting rid of a tree. You’re directly supporting local causes in your postcode. Our model ensures that:
A core charity, such as a local hospice, receives a large portion of the donation
A community contribution is distributed among smaller local charities and nonprofits
And, thanks to Gift Aid, we are able to proudly say that 104% of tree collection donations go to charitable causes.
So when you donate, you know exactly where your support is going - to real people, in real communities, making a real difference.
The truth is, mental health is not a standalone issue. It touches every area of life; health, housing, education, relationships, grief. It shows up in different ways for different people. And it doesn't just affect the individual — it affects partners, children, carers, and friends.
That's why Just Helping’s wide-reaching impact matters. We don’t limit ourselves to one cause, we support the community as a whole. And in doing so, we aim to stand alongside the people and organisations who are already doing the work, often quietly, often without recognition, to support the emotional wellbeing of others.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a powerful reminder that none of us are at our best in isolation, we all need connection, support, and a sense of belonging. At Just Helping, we’re proud to stand alongside the charities and local groups that work every day to build stronger, more compassionate communities. Because at the heart of it, community isn’t just about geography, it’s about showing up for one another.
So this week, we invite you to join the conversation. What does community mean to you? How has it supported your mental health? And how can we continue building stronger, more compassionate local networks together?
We’d love to hear your thoughts because bigger, better, stronger together isn’t just our tagline. It’s our promise.