New Year, New Ways

New Year's Resolutions with a difference from Bex Wiles.

''Join Outreach and campaign at the year’s best festivals and music gigs. Free entry and a great cause – what’s not to like?'' ''Become a regular fundraiser and join Oxjam –October’s month-long music festival in aid of Oxfam’s work.'' ''Get green - the possibilities are endless''

As happens every year on the morning of New Years Eve I sat down to write my usual New Year’s resolutions, deciding that this year I was going to: a) get up to my alarm in the mornings, b) watch less TV, and c) eat more healthily. However, 24 hours later, having woken at noon, had trifle for breakfast and spent the afternoon watching re-runs of Friends, I decided that perhaps I needed to consider not only what resolutions to make, but also why I was making them.

According to a BBC survey the most common resolutions are: lose weight, stop smoking, stop wasting money and spend more time with family and friends. Alongside my own resolutions, this shows that people often pledge to make changes that will improve their own quality of life, and not the lives of others. So what achievable resolutions can be made that will benefit other people?

I turned to Generation Why’s Do Something section for the answers and this is what I came up with:

1)Sign a petition or two. There are plenty to choose from. For example you can demand access to medicines, tell Starbucks to give Ethiopia a fair share of its coffee profits, or put pressure on decision makers to Make Trade Fair.

2)Become a regular fundraiser and join Oxjam –October’s month-long music festival in aid of Oxfam’s work. Generation Why has loads of fun ideas to get you started. For example, you could hold an Ox-factor - an X-factor-style talent contest. FUNdraising is indeed fun, and most people will be very willing to support you.

3)Clear out your stuff and donate it to your local Oxfam shop, and have a look at what’s on offer while you’re at it. I am always buying things from Oxfam, especially books and CDs. Not only are they cheaper than being bought brand-new, but you also have the satisfaction of knowing that all your money is going to a very worthy cause. You could even take a leaf out of Victoria Beckham’s book and have a look at the clothes.

4)Get green: start walking or using public transport instead of jumping in the car every time you travel; re-use plastic bags and recycle; put on an extra jumper and turn down the heating - the possibilities are endless!

5)Campaign – join Outreach and campaign at the year’s best festivals and music gigs. Free entry and a great cause – what’s not to like?

So this time next year, it is quite likely that I will still be eating just as much junk and getting out of bed just as late. However, I am determined to set my mind to keeping my new ethical resolutions because I want to do my part in helping to change the world. Why don’t you do the same - choose a few resolutions off the list and help do your bit to end world poverty.