The Big Help out volunteering drive to mark King Charles III coronation earlier this year is to take place again in June 2024, organisers have confirmed.
After it took place in May organisers revealed it was to become an annual event. This week they have confirmed that it will next be scheduled over three days from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June to coincide with the end of Volunteers’ Week.
Organisers say it is important it takes place on a weekday to give schools and workplaces the chance to get involved.
The event involved thousands of charities this year and is backed by thirty charities involved in promoting volunteering, including Scouts, RNLI, Guide Dogs, Barnardos, Rotary and Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).
“We were bowled over by how many people took part in The Big Help Out in 2023 and told us they were inspired to volunteer in the future,” said Scouts chief executive Matt Hyde.
“In 2024 we will extend to three days to make it easier for schools and businesses to get involved. We also plan to target communities who were less likely to take part in traditional volunteering. This is a hugely exciting opportunity to turn the dial on volunteering.”
RVS chief executive Catherine Johnstone added: “We want everyone to have the chance to find an opportunity with their name on, so they can reap the brilliant rewards that come from helping out in their communities.
“The coming together of the charity world around The Big Help Out is a wonderful and inspiring way to get volunteering magic into every neighbourhood, and every space and place.
Next year's Big Help Out is set to take place amid a continuing slump in volunteering.
According to the Charities Aid Foundation just 7% of the public volunteered over the previous four weeks when asked earlier this year. This is down on 9% recorded in 2019.
The NCVO has warned that a lack of flexible and suitable roles on offer is a barrier to volunteering.
Commenting on next year’s Big Help Out event, NCVO Sarah Vibert said: “Our latest research shows that for many charities, recruiting more people to volunteer is their top priority. Without volunteers, some charities wouldn’t be able to make the huge differences to people’s lives that they do.”
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