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: Festive Seasonal Market Support
05/12/2025 | 11:00 - 15:30
🎄 Join Us for Festive Fayre Preparation at Centre 404It’s time to feel festive! Join Centre 404’s team of staff and service users to help prepare for their biggest fundraising event of the year! You’ll bake Christmas cookies, make decorations and banners, and sort through bric-a-brac and jumble to help get everything ready for the big day.
Volunteering
Big Help Out: Packing Goody Bags for Local Elders
08/12/2025 | 9:30 - 13:30
Join Us for Packing Goody Bags at Cundy Community CentreVolunteers will help prepare and pack goody bags with care to ensure every recipient feels valued. You’ll work together to organise items, maintain quality, and make sure everything is ready for delivery.
Volunteering
Crafternoon: Festive Origami for Care Homes
09/12/2025 | 13:00 - 15:00
🎨 Join Us for a Creative Origami class where you create Origami's for Care HomesGet hands-on and make a visible difference this festive season with the Origami Volunteer Project! In this special Big Help Out event, you’ll help create beautiful Christmas and winter-themed origami decorations that will be sent to partner care homes, spreading joy and festive cheer.
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Last updated 1 week ago