National day of volunteering announced as part of Coronation celebrations

Charities across the UK have launched the Big Help Out, a national day of volunteering as part of the celebrations planned for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

Created by some of Britain’s best-known charities from the Scouts to the Royal Voluntary Service, Rotary to the National Trust, it will take place on Monday May 8 – the Bank Holiday of the Coronation long weekend.

The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend.

Speaking to Charity Times, Matt Hyde, CEO of Scouts said: “What we’re trying to do is promote the range of volunteering opportunities from small charities to larger charities. Local, national, physical or virtual, online or over the phone. For people to give however much time they give on causes they’re passionate about.”

The charities behind the Big Help Out have set out the three core parts to the day.

• A public awareness campaign to raise understanding of the personal and societal benefits of volunteering.

• The creation of opportunities to join in every community in the country on the 8 of May - a chance to take part in taster sessions and give volunteering a go. Communities can also set up their own events locally.

• Longer term opportunities to sign up to volunteer with opportunities made easily accessible via www.thebighelpout.org.uk

Organisers hope for an “unprecedented” community mobilisation – not only to mark an event of national significance and underscore the central role volunteering plays in our national story, but to inspire a new generation of volunteers.

Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO added: “We are proud to be part of The Big Help Out which will showcase that volunteering is for everyone, in every community. There are an amazingly diverse range of organisations which all have unique, life-enhancing volunteering opportunities.

"From the largest well-known charities to the smallest, grassroots organisations, to the public sector, volunteers, all are critical to supporting people and communities. We hope everyone will get involved and find out how volunteering is not only really fulfilling, but also offers the chance to meet new people, learn new skills and make a positive impact on the community you live in.”

Charities wanting to be involved are asked to register volunteering events and opportunities by visiting https://www.thebighelpout.org.uk/