Tiny measures making a big difference

Counting flowers for bees or writing letters to sick children are just two of the charitable activities that people can take a few minutes out of their busy lives to do to help others. Arlene Harris reports on the new trend of micro volunteering

Jane Stout, Professor of Botany at Trinity College Dublin Pic: Maura Hickey

Last week was National Volunteer Week, when people all over the country dedicated their time to helping others in need or did their bit for the local environment.

However, while most people like doing something for the good of the wider community, not everyone has the time to devote several hours a week to cleaning rubbish from their local park, visiting the sick in hospital or even preparing a meal for someone who ...