A coalition of major charities has officially launched a massive volunteering drive that will take place on the weekend of the King’s coronation.
The Big Help Out will be held on 8 May, the Bank Holiday Monday immediately following the King’s coronation weekend.
Organisers said they are hoping for an “unprecedented community mobilisation” that will not only mark the coronation but will also inspire a new generation of volunteers.
The event was announced over the weekend, but the major voluntary sector organisations behind the event have today given more details about it with 100 days to go.
The initiative, which has been developed by the Scouts and the Royal Voluntary Service, is being organised by the Together Coalition, a charity that aims to build a kinder society, alongside almost 30 other major voluntary sector organisations including the National Trust, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Age UK.
A website has been set up to host volunteering opportunities from taster sessions to longer-term roles.
The coalition hopes that businesses will also pledge to get involved and encourage their staff and communities to take part in the activities.
The charities involved will run social media campaigns and urge people in their networks to get involved in the day.
They hope to create volunteering opportunities in every community in the UK to provide people with the chance to learn more about the personal and societal benefits of volunteering.
The survival expert and chief scout Bear Grylls, who helped to launch the initiative, urged charities and the public to get involved in the day.
He said the event would “put volunteering centre stage for a day” and provide easy ways for people to get involved.
“Volunteering has always been a huge part of what makes this country great – from families looking after evacuees during World War Two to neighbours looking out for each other during the pandemic,” he said.
“But it’s not just in times of crisis that we step up. Volunteering – whether formal or informal – is what powers our communities from Scout leaders to football coaches, collecting the shopping for an elderly neighbour to helping out at the school fete.
“So please save the date and join the Big Help Out in your community.”
Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of the Royal Voluntary Service, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together and have a go at volunteering.
“Whether it’s your first time or you are an experienced volunteer, The Big Help Out will make it easy to get involved in something that matches your interests and fires your imagination.
“I hope it inspires many thousands of people to explore what volunteering has to offer them and their communities.”
Stuart Andrew, the Minister for Civil Society, said the day would be “a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in the great work being done by voluntary organisations in their local area”.