MAKE A DIFFERENCE FROM YOUR PHONE

The apps that can help you spread a little goodwill.

Share an extra portion

Made too much food for you to eat alone? Use the Olio app (olioex.com) to list your leftovers (or soon-to-go-off ingredients) for a neighbour to collect and enjoy. Helping both people and the planet, it’s an easy way to make an impact.

Pass on a loved teddy bear

The Youngplanet app (youngplanet.com) lets you list your child’s no-longer-used items (a bike they’ve grown out of; old sleepsuits; disused toys) for other parents in the area to collect and use.

Facetime a blind or low-vision person

Be My Eyes (bemyeyes.com) allows blind or low-vision people to video call a sighted volunteer when they need a helping hand – whether it’s checking expiry dates, distinguishing colours, navigating new surroundings or more. Sign up to volunteer when you can.

Search for anything

Ecosia (ecosia.org) is a search engine on an app and browser that uses its ad revenue to plant trees around the world. Use it just like you would Google and feel smug that you’re doing your bit for the planet.

Perform a small act of kindness

The Bekind app (bekind.app) offers daily suggestions for small acts of kindness – ‘call your mum’, for example – that you can complete that day. It’s a simple concept, but a great daily reminder to do something small for someone else.

Buy a secondhand lamp

As it stands, nearly 22m small pieces of furniture are thrown away in the UK every year. The Narchie app is an interiors marketplace aiming to combat that waste, allowing you to buy and sell preloved homewares to give them a second lease of life.