What's a Big Help Out?
Our 'Big Help Outs' bring a group of students together for a day of giving back, meeting new friends, all while supporting local community organisations. Charities and non-profit organisations tell us what they need, and the Student Union Social Impact team assembles the volunteers to tackle these tasks right away!
These events show how little gestures from lots of people add up to big change. On 28 October, students joined forces with OurParklife for a hands-on day of meadow scything and raking. This traditional method of cutting the meadow by hand plays an important role in supporting the local ecosystem. Beyond the environmental impact, the activity offered us a chance to connect with nature, learn new skills, and contribute to a healthier habitat for local wildlife.
What did our students think?
One of the students who participated in the Big Help Out have shared their thoughts with us:
Why did you want to take part?
As someone who lives in East London and spends a lot of time at UCL East, I believe it’s important to get more involved with the local community. I saw this as a great opportunity not only to contribute to the area but also to explore and discover more about the places surrounding UCL East, which I hadn’t properly done before. Plus, I really wanted to do something meaningful to help improve the environment in these spaces.
What did you get out of it?
First of all, there was immense satisfaction in knowing that relocating those plants will help maintain the beautiful green spaces near UCL East. On top of that, meeting so many amazing people was such a refreshing experience! I actually made a close friend during the event — we clicked instantly, and it made the whole process even more enjoyable. Working together while chatting made it feel like I was being both productive and having fun at the same time.
What was the best thing about doing the Big Help Out?
The best part was definitely knowing that our efforts were directly contributing to preserving the environment. It was really rewarding to see how even small actions, like relocating plants, can have a tangible impact. Also, the sense of community that developed among everyone participating made it an unforgettable experience.
What 3 words would you use to describe the morning?
Refreshing, altrustic, community
Want a piece of this?
We have several Big Help Outs coming up! Include opportunities to: -
Pack and deliver goody bags for older residents in Newham to create a warm and memorable experience for them this winter.
Get in nature and help Think & Do Camden with tree and meadow planting tasks.
Create bird boxes, bug hotels, and information signs in Chalk Farm.
Sorting toy donations so they can reach children in need.
Host a festive lunch for older people.
Check out our Big Help Out Winter Edition events page for information about how you can get involved!
You can also check out other opportunities to volunteer with Our ParkLife on our Volunteering Directory.
If you're aware of any other opportunities that a UCL crew could help out with, let us know and we'll do the rest!