The Big Help Out volunteering opportunities in Buckinghamshire
How to take part in the national volunteering campaign in Buckinghamshire
The Big Help Out is a national campaign to mark The King’s Coronation and aims to give everyone the chance to get involved with volunteering and help out in our local communities. With volunteer opportunities on Coronation Bank Holiday (Monday 8th May 2023) as well as through the summer, Buckinghamshire residents are being encouraged to register with the Buckinghamshire Volunteer Matching Service to find a local volunteering role.
The Buckinghamshire Volunteer Matching Service helps the county’s residents find local volunteer opportunities. Run by local charity Community Impact Bucks, since its launch in Spring 2020 the volunteer-run team has placed over 1700 people into roles where they are most needed in the county and currently has 130 roles ready to be filled.
“Whatever your interests, skills and amount of time you can give, you can make a difference by volunteering,” commented Katie Higginson, Chief Executive of Community Impact Bucks. “Volunteering comes in all shape and sizes: it can be done from home, online, or out-and-about in the community; it could be a one-off or a regular commitment, either by yourself or as part of a team of volunteers; and there is a huge variety of roles to choose from – from befriending to doing some gardening, or helping out at a coffee morning in your town. Just lending a hand for as little as one hour could really help your local community.”
Bucks residents aged 16+ could find a local volunteering role in just three simple steps by registering with the Buckinghamshire Volunteer Matching Service:
- Fill in the 5-minute registration form including details of your volunteering preferences (interests, skills and available time)
- The team will look for a role that matches your preferences and get in contact when a potential volunteer role is found
- You then decide if the role is a good fit and if you want to proceed.
Bucks residents who want to find out more about volunteering in the county should visit the Volunteer Matching Service, and can read about the experiences of local volunteers on the Community Impact Bucks website. Anyone who is under 16 years old and keen to take part in The Big Help Out can get tips on how to find an age-appropriate volunteering role on the Buckinghamshire Volunteer Matching Service website.
Community Impact Bucks, as the Volunteer Centre for Buckinghamshire, is also encouraging the county’s volunteer-involving organisations to register their Big Help Out roles with the Volunteer Matching Service so that they can tap into its pool of volunteers and benefit from the experienced matching team.
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Notes to editors
- For any media enquiries, please contact Rachel Fisher or Chanel Smith at Community Impact Bucks comms@communityimpactbucks.org.uk/ 01844 617216
- Community Impact Bucks is an independent charity that supports people and groups to get involved and make a difference in Buckinghamshire communities. We offer expert advice and training, help people to find volunteering opportunities, and help charities and not for profit groups to get started, be effective and grow.
- Buckinghamshire Volunteer Matching Service is run by Community Impact Bucks and matches registered volunteers to roles where they are most needed in the county. Since it was established in March 2020, it has placed over 1700 volunteers in volunteer roles throughout the county.
- A selection of volunteer stories can be found on Community Impact Bucks’ case studies webpage (select I want to volunteer button and Volunteer Matching Service button)
- Big Help Out is a national campaign which marks the King’s Coronation and is encouraging people to try volunteering and make a difference in their community. For more information visit The Big Help Out website.
- Buckinghamshire Council has some useful information to help you plan your Coronation event safely including street parties, large events and funding. Visit Buckinghamshire Council’s website for details.
