The Big Help Out 2026

In Scouts, we make a promise to help other people – and here’s a great way to do just that.

During Volunteers’ Week this June, Scouts are invited to make one big difference by taking part once again in The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out.  

Scouts have been strong supporters of both events in the past, and this year, they’re joining forces for one big do – encouraging even more people to do something positive where they live on 5–8 June.

Meet, eat and lend a hand

Across the UK, millions of people will come together to meet, eat and lend a hand as part of the UK’s biggest celebration of community.

Research shows that people who take part are more likely to go on to volunteer, feel a greater sense of belonging and take part in their community in future.

By encouraging participation, we can create a wave of positive community action across the UK – on the weekend and beyond.

How to get involved

There are lots of simple ways you can support the weekend:

• Host your own event and invite people along to experience Scouts for the first time.
• Organise a Big Lunch to bring people together.
• Offer simple, light-touch volunteering opportunities and list them on GoVo or the big do map, as part of The Big Help Out
• Volunteer as a team on a project to improve your local area. Activities could include improving a community building, planting a community garden, helping at a Big Lunch, or chatting with residents at a care home for example.

This is a golden opportunity to speak with new people to find out more about Scouts and what it’s like to volunteer with us by welcoming them in to lend a hand this June.

The Big Help Out works best with opportunities that are short, flexible, social and beginner-friendly. Roles lasting 1–3 hours are especially popular and can often lead to longer-term volunteering.

Big or small, what you do is up to you – whether that’s a cuppa and a chat with neighbours, a street party, chatting with residents at a care home or taking part in a litter pick, we can all do something.

1. If you are a registered charity, you can add your opportunities to GoVo

Simply upload your opportunity using their simple form and tag it as part of The Big Help Out campaign. Once tagged, your listing will display The Big Help Out campaign logo, and people will be able to search and filter for opportunities taking place that weekend.

Top tips for listing Big Help Out opportunities on GoVo. 

2. If you are not a registered charity, or in Northern Ireland:

Add your opportunity to the big do map – going live in April 2026.

You can also look at the advice from GoVo on how to add your opportunities to the platform if you are not a registered charity.

Please also share your opportunities with your networks and local supporters to encourage take-up and involvement.

Supporting our communities

So, let’s embrace community spirit in our villages, towns and cities this summer and join together to meet, eat and lend a hand locally.

The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out is led by Eden Project Communities, and made possible with support from Pears Foundation, the UK Government and Co-op. The campaign is supported by charities across the UK including Scouts, Girlguiding, Guide Dogs, RSPCA, Barnardo’s, RNLI, Citizens Advice, Samaritans and many more.

It’s easy, it’s fun and it’s for everyone – so what will you do?