After a year-long break, The Big Help Out will return this Volunteers’ Week 2026, running Friday 5 June 2026 – Monday 8 June 2026. The Big Help Out started in 2023, encouraging people to “have a go at volunteering, lend a hand and make a difference”. Millions of people took part in 2023 and again in 2024, as charities offered simple opportunities for people to find out more and “see what volunteering was all about”.

The 2026 version of the event will be hosted by Hyde and Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project (the charity behind the Big Lunch). Both the Big Lunch – an annual get-together for neighbours and communities – and Big Help Out will come together to encourage a weekend of community action in the UK. Speaking on the event’s return, organiser Andy Jasper said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing the Big Lunch and the Big Help Out together for 2026 as part of Eden Project’s charitable work. There’s never been a more important time to bring people and communities together and to support them to take positive action where they live. This exciting collaboration will bring all the friendship, food and fun of the Big Lunch together with the chance for people from all walks of life to try something new, make a difference and have a go at volunteering in a new way. There’s something for everyone and by working together we can grow connections, strengthen our communities – and have a good time doing it!”

There are lots of simple ways people and groups can support the weekend:

host your own event and invite people along to experience your group for the first time
organise a Big Lunchto bring people together
offer simple, light-touch volunteering opportunities
volunteer as a team on a project to improve your local area

The Big Help Out has been designed as an opportunity to merge recognition and recruitment, inviting people to celebrate volunteering and lend a hand this June. Organisers note that the Big Help Out works best with opportunities which are short, flexible and beginner friendly.

For further information, please visit the Eden Project website (linked for your convenience).