People are being encouraged to spend a day volunteering in their local community, as part of celebrations for King Charles III's Coronation.

Organised by The Together Coalition and 25 of the UK's biggest charities, The Big Help Out will take place on Monday 8th May 2023 and will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. From rolling up your sleeves to help a local group, to volunteering at a food bank, this is the chance to lend a hand in your neighbourhood.

A statement on royal.uk says: "In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage 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."

wick, scotland july 29 prince charles, prince of wales, views food he has donated with pat and grant ramsay as he meets volunteers and supporters of caithness food bank at carnegie library on july 29, 2022 in wick, scotland photo by andrew milligan wpa poolgetty imagespinterest
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King Charles visits a food bank

From Monday 20th March, The Big Help Out will list the many ways you can make a difference to your local area. "Many of our best known charities are already signed up and we're looking to thousands more to join, whether you’re national or just in one area," the organisers say.

It's the biggest ever promotion of volunteering, with a key aim to make it easy for anyone interested in volunteering to get their first taster experience. Charities taking part include The British Red Cross, The National Trust, Cats Protection, British Heart Foundation, the RSPCA, and many others.

Elsewhere, the Palace also announced that a Big Coronation Lunch is set to take place on Sunday 7th May 2023, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Overseen and organised by the Big Lunch team at the Eden Project, it will bring millions of people together to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness, and support charities and good causes. Time to prep those street party plans...

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Lisa Joyner
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful

 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.