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Although middle-class women such as Ellen and Emily were not expected to engage in any paid work, it was considered a moral and a Christian duty for them to take part in unpaid voluntary work. This usually entailed raising funds and caring for those less fortunate than themselves and it was considered a respectable and valuable pass-time. While men often took on the positions of authority in religious and charitable organisations, the hands-on work, such as caring for the sick, was seen as best suited to those perceived to have compassionate and feminine qualities: middle-class ladies, such as the women in the Hall Family.

Several instances in which Emily and Ellen became involved in philanthropic work are recorded in the early years of their diaries, although their youth and lack of experience, as well as their perceived innocence, may have limited the range of activities they could do. One event, of which both sisters give accounts, is the soup kitchen for the poor that they helped run while living in St. Helier.

A picture postcard of St. Helier, Jersey, in the early 1900's. The sisters carried out their philanthropic activities there in the 1830's.

However, some of the experiences gained through philanthropy were less lightly brushed aside. Emily's diary contains a particularly moving account of a trip to visit a working-class woman and her new babies, with her elder sister Louisa. Emily tells us that the woman lived in one of Louisa's districts, and she had visited her before, implying that it was her sister's duty to drop by and help regularly. However, on this occasion, Emily quickly realised that all was not well when they arrived at the woman's house. You can read her account of that night here.

Much philanthropic work was associated with the church, and a woman's compassion for those less fortunate than themselves was seen as an important part of her Christian faith. In both Jersey and West Wickham, Emily and Ellen helped run a Sunday school at church for the poorer children of the district.