What's a Big Help Out?

Big Help Outs are events where you can volunteer your time during an event or activity designed to make a real impact in our local communities. Whether it's environmental clean-ups, crafting, cooking, or helping at community festivals, these events are a great way to give back, make friends, and be part of something bigger!

Why Get Involved?

  • Meet like-minded UCL students and have fun!
  • Explore new places around London
  • Make a positive impact in local communities
  • Volunteer your time without a long-term commitment
  • Start to gain valuable experience for your CV
  • Receive a certificate for taking part
  • Have your volunteering recognised on their Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), if you complete 20 hours or more through our Big Help Outs programme.
  • Enjoy the mental health benefits of taking part in group activities, especially outdoors, and feel the wellbeing boost that comes from doing something with a social purpose.
  • No previous experience is needed – just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to help out.

Support Available

We want to make it easy for you to take part in Big Help Outs. Here’s how we support you:

  • Travel expenses within London reimbursed – so cost is never a barrier. (For zones 1-6 in London).
  • Meet the team – you'll have the chance to meet fellow volunteers and a UCL staff member before the event
  • Travel together – a staff member will accompany the group to the Big Help Out location, so you won’t be going alone

Whether it’s your first time volunteering or you're just looking for something new, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Join The Community

Want to hear about the latest Big Help Outs and other one-off volunteering opportunities at UCL?
Join our brand-new Volunteering WhatsApp Community to stay up to date, connect with other students, and make sure you never miss out.

✨ Quick updates straight to your phone
✨ Be the first to know about new events
✨ Go along with other students to the same events
✨ Meet like-minded people and make friends while volunteering

Join the WhatsApp Community

Big Help Outs

Volunteering
Big Help Out: Volunteer at a Community Film Festival – PictureEast 2026
01/02/2026 | 14:00 - 21:00
🎬 Join Us for PictureEast Film Festival Volunteering with The New Black Film Collective in BarkingUCL students will support the delivery of the PictureEast Film Festival (PEFF), a vibrant community film festival celebrating underrepresented voices in cinema. Volunteers will work together in small teams to assist with festival setup, audience support, stewarding, community engagement, and post-…
Volunteering
Crafternoon: Valentine's Cards for Older People
09/02/2026 | 13:00 - 16:00
💌 Join us for a Valentine’s (Palentine’s!) Crafternoon  Card-Making for Older AdultsJoin us for a relaxed and welcoming Valentine’s Crafternoon, where UCL students will create handmade Valentine’s / Palentine’s cards filled with uplifting, thoughtful messages for older adults.
Volunteering
Big Help Out: Bridge Walk – Supporting Suicide Prevention
11/02/2026 | 12:00 - 16:00
Join Us for Bridgewatch Patrol for walking on bridges in the City of LondonJoin Bridgewatch volunteers to patrol the five bridges of the City of London, Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium, and Blackfriars. You’ll walk with experienced teams who offer a reassuring presence, distribute leaflets and support materials, and promote the Bridgewatch initiative.
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Last updated 1 month ago