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

Big Help Outs

Volunteering
Big Help Out: Canal & Community Volunteering at St Pancras Lock
10/03/2026 | 10:00 - 15:00
🚤 Join Us for Canal & Community Volunteering at St Pancras LockAbout the ActivityUCL students will take part in a hands-on outdoor Big Help Out at St Pancras Lock. Volunteers will be split into small groups and rotate through a range of practical activities that support the canal and surrounding area. Tasks are designed to be team-based, engaging, and accessible, with all equipment and…
Clubs & Societies
Crafternoon: Paint or Collage Notebooks for Charity
10/03/2026 | 15:00 - 17:00
Join the Social Impact Team and the Arts for Mental Health Society for a creative, wellbeing-focused volunteering workshop. Students will use collage and acrylic paints to decorate notebooks that will be donated to It's Your Life. 
Volunteering
Make Laptop Cases from Recycled Fabrics for Charity!
12/03/2026 | 15:00 - 17:00
Join the Social Impact Team for a hands-on sustainable crafting workshop hosted at Fibrelab. Students will explore the world of fabric recycling, tour Fibrelab’s innovative workshop, and learn basic sewing techniques using reclaimed textiles.