The Big Help Out

Published 08 May 2023

The Big Help Out has been created by some of Britain’s best-known charities from the Scouts to the Royal Voluntary Service, Rotary to the National Trust and has taken place on the final day of the Coronation Weekend.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Guide Dogs UK

The Big Help Out

In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out is encouraging 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.

There has been more than 8 million opportunities to get involved on the day through the Big Help Out app - a one stop shop for volunteering opportunities across the country, and the first of its kind in the UK.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to volunteer at Upton Scouts Hut in Slough to renovate and improve the building.

Their Royal Highnesses joined volunteers in renovating the Scout Hut, with works including resetting a path, digging a new soakaway, sanding and revarnishing the front door, adding planters to the front of the building and adding a mural to create a lasting legacy of the Big Help Out’s work.

The Prince and Princess of Wales volunteer at the Big Help Out

At Guide Dogs in Reading, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined Hollie, Lucy, Luker, Nyla and Sunny and their volunteer puppy raisers at a special training class that celebrated the weekend’s festivities with a coronation-themed café.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Guide Dogs UK

Their Royal Highnesses met future life-changers Hollie, Lucy, Luker, Nyla and Sunny and their volunteer puppy raisers at a special training class that celebrated the weekend’s festivities with a coronation-themed café. 

The Duchess of Edinburgh visits Guide Dogs UK

The interactive class focused on skills to help the puppies on their journey to become a guide dog and activities included participating in a recall session; food manners and how to refocus pups in a café situation.

The Duke of Edinburgh visits Guide Dogs in Reading

The Princess Royal attended a County Civic Service recognising local volunteers at Gloucester Cathedral.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester marked the Big Help Out by visiting the Coptic Orthodox Church where young volunteers were hosting a Coronation Street Party for the local community in Kensington.

The Duke of Gloucester supports the Big Help Out
The Duchess of Gloucester marks The Big Help Out

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