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UCL 200: The Biggest Help Out
Be part of something big. Really biiiig.
When it's a 'significant' birthday, you get together with lots of friends, right? Well, when it's as big a birthday as turning 200, that means a really, really big party!
That's why, in celebration of UCL's 200th birthday, we're inviting anyone from our across our wonderful community to join the Biggest Help Out, a mass volunteering event.
This is your chance to give back to local communities, meet new people from across the institution, and be part of one of UCL’s largest ever volunteering events.
You’ll start your day on Bloomsbury campus before heading out in groups to a range of amazing charities across London that we've carefully selected for this special day. Each organisation will host large groups of students, where you’ll take part in meaningful, hands-on volunteering activities that directly support local communities.
Check your calendars - Tuesday, 2 June is the date to remember. Breakfast will be served from 09.00 because you should never work volunteer on an empty stomach!
Reasons you should join
Be part of a 200-person volunteering movement. We can achieve more when we work together.
Support our local communities and make real impact, led by experts who know what's important on the ground.
See UCL through different eyes, as you spend time with people from really different parts of the university.
Try something new and step outside your comfort zone.
Take a break - from the hum drum of assignments, administration, facilities management, grading, cleaning, teaching or whatever part you play here (UCL staff - be sure to check with your line manager first!)
To make your volunteering as easy as possible, we'll cover travel expenses for all volunteers and lunch.
What’s included
We’ve got you covered throughout the day:
- Free breakfast on arrival from a local social enterprise (impact starts right from the moment you start!)
- Lunch and travel expenses covered
- UCL 200 giveaways and merch - tote bags and commemorative t-shirts, sustainably sourced
- Massive giveaways - be in with a chance to win £100 or £50 Love2Shop vouchers
Make memories
We’ll be capturing this big moment with all 200 volunteers at the UCL Portico before we head out.
👉 Arrive early to:
- Secure your spot in the group photo
- Be part of the full event experience
- Get settled before group allocations
Structure of the day
Everything kicks off at the UCL Quad, where all volunteers will check in, have breakfast served, and collect their goody bag. Once everyone is ready, groups will travel together to their allocated locations across London to begin their volunteering activities. Volunteers will be stay in these groups for the day.
What might you be doing?
Below are examples of the types of activities you may take part in. Final allocations are yet to be confirmed.
Canal Clean-Up
Join us for a hands-on environmental volunteering experience helping to clean London’s canals from the water. Working in small groups, you’ll head out on stable, beginner-friendly boats to collect litter and support vital conservation efforts in local waterways.
Sessions will take place at Poplar Union, with all equipment provided. Just wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activity and be prepared to get involved!
Wear comfortable clothing suitable for moderate outdoor activity and secure footwear. You’ll likely stay mostly dry, but bringing a change of clothes is recommended.
You may wish to bring:
• Suncream
• A warm hat or sunhat
• Water/snacks
• A splash-proof jacket or trousers (especially in windy weather)
A waterproof barrel will be provided for small valuables.
Please include any disabilities, access requirements, or medical needs in the webform in advance so we can support you appropriately.
Please note this is a more active session involving time on the water. If you would prefer a less physically demanding activity, you may wish to choose an alternative session.
River Restoration
Get involved in a meaningful environmental volunteering session helping to restore and improve one of London’s green spaces. Working alongside the team at Thames21, you’ll take part in practical conservation activities such as planting and vegetation management along the river.
This is a great opportunity to contribute to the health of local ecosystems, learn more about urban environmental work, and make a visible impact in a short space of time.
Park Clean-Up & Gardening
Get involved in a hands-on environmental volunteering session focused on improving local parks and green spaces. Activities may include gardening, planting, conservation work, and general clean-up, helping to create cleaner, greener, and more welcoming spaces for the community.
Volunteers will meet the HandsOn London team and then be taking part in supervised outdoor conservation activities across the park.
This is a more active outdoor volunteering session involving a high degree of movement and some uneven ground. While the park is generally a calm and quiet environment with seating available throughout, some areas may not be suitable for wheelchair users due to uneven terrain. Lighter tasks can be adapted for volunteers with long-term health conditions where possible.
Adventure Playground Project
Support one of London’s adventure playgrounds, unique spaces where children can explore, create, and learn through play. Volunteers will take part in light to moderate practical tasks such as maintenance, repairs, and general improvements to help keep the playground safe and engaging.
The session runs from 11:00–15:00 and involves outdoor, hands-on work on uneven ground. Please note the site is not fully step-free and may not be suitable for all mobility needs. Indoor space, refreshments, and rest areas will be available.
This is a great opportunity to contribute to a meaningful community project supporting local children, families, and neighbourhoods.
Dementia & Older Adult Support
Join a unique intergenerational volunteering opportunity supporting dementia residents by working alongside staff and residents, volunteers will help improve outdoor spaces, support wellbeing activities, and spend meaningful time engaging with residents through conversation and shared activities.
Volunteers may take part in:
- Sensory garden clearing and planting
- Creating an edible growing area for residents
- Resident engagement and conversation activities
- Supporting light kitchen and meal preparation tasks
This is a hands-on community volunteering session designed to support wellbeing, social connection, and accessible green spaces for residents living with dementia.This is a great opportunity to contribute to a meaningful local community project while building connections across generations and learning more about dementia-inclusive community support.
FAQs
- Is the event free?
Yes, this event is free for all UCL staff and students.
- I’ve signed up, have I guaranteed a place?
Congratulations on signing up, happy that you are making an impact!
Submitting a sign-up form does not automatically guarantee participation on the day. To secure your place, volunteers must attend the morning check-in and breakfast session at the start of the event, where you will:
- Sign in and register your attendance
- Receive important event information and safety guidance
- Be allocated to your volunteering group
- Collect your event wristband
Please note that only volunteers who have checked in and received a wristband will be able to participate in the event activities.
It is therefore very important that all volunteers attend the breakfast and arrive on time. If you are unable to attend the morning check-in for a specific reason, please contact as soon as possible.
- Is there a deadline to sign up?
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage early registration to avoid missing out.
- Do I have to attend the breakfast?
Yes. All volunteers are expected to attend the breakfast and morning check-in at the start of the event.
This is an important part of the day where volunteers will:
- Sign in and register attendance
- Receive event information and safety guidance
- Collect travel information and goody bags
- Meet their volunteer group before travelling together to activity locations
If you are unable to attend the breakfast for a specific reason, please email in advance explaining your circumstances.
- Can I leave early?
As this is a coordinated group volunteering event, volunteers are expected to attend for the full duration where possible.
If you have a timetable clash or need to leave early, please contact the organisers in advance.
- Can I choose which volunteering activity I do?
To sign up, volunteers will receive a short follow-up form where they can indicate their activity preferences and any accessibility requirements.
While we will do our best to accommodate preferences, placements cannot be guaranteed due to capacity limits and group allocations. Students will have final confirmation on allocations on the breakfast.
- Are the activities physically demanding?
Some activities are more physically active than others.
For example, canal clean-up and environmental conservation activities may involve lifting, walking on uneven ground, or outdoor manual tasks. Other opportunities, such as dementia support activities, may involve lighter practical tasks and social interaction.
There will be regular breaks, and you are welcome to take additional rests whenever you need to during any activity.
If you have any accessibility needs, please indicate them on the webform so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
- Will volunteering hours count towards awards or recognition schemes?
Yes, participation will count towards volunteering awards or recognised extracurricular activity hours.
- What time does the event start and finish?
Check-in and breakfast begin from 09:00 at the UCL campus.
Groups will then travel together to volunteering locations across London. The event is expected to finish by approximately 16:30, depending on travel times and activity locations.
- Do I need to bring anything with me?
We recommend bringing:
- A reusable water bottle
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Any personal medication you may need
- A phone or contactless/Oyster card for travel
All volunteering equipment will be provided where required.
- What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for volunteering activities and outdoor weather conditions.
Some activities involve moderate physical activity, uneven ground, gardening, or work near water, so secure footwear is strongly recommended.
- What happens if it rains?
The event will still go ahead in most weather conditions, so please dress appropriately for outdoor activities.
If severe weather affects any activities, we will communicate any changes directly with volunteers.
- Will travel expenses be covered?
Yes, reasonable public transport costs within TfL Zones 1–6 will be reimbursed in line with UCL Volunteering Service guidance. Please note, bank statements, and contactless payment notifications will not be accepted as proof of travel
We strongly recommend creating a TfL online account and registering your Oyster or contactless card before the event. This allows you to easily access and download your journey history if you need to submit an expenses claim.
Volunteers must retain valid proof of travel in order to submit a claim. You can find full guidance on the claiming expenses page.
- Will I be volunteering with other people?
Yes. Volunteers will travel and volunteer in groups throughout the day.
This is a great opportunity to meet people from across UCL while contributing to community projects together.
- What should I do if I can no longer attend?
Please cancel your ticket on the event page. This frees up your space so someone else can take part, especially as many of our activities have limited capacity.
- Can I volunteer with my friends?
You are welcome to sign up with friends. While we cannot guarantee group allocations, we will try to accommodate requests where possible.
- Will there be photography during the event?
Yes. Photography and video may take place throughout the day for promotional and celebratory purposes linked to UCL 200.
Sign up now
Be part of something meaningful and give back to the community and get involved in the first ever mass participation volunteering event at UCL.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive a follow-up email with all the key information, along with a short webform where you can share your volunteering preferences.
Go big. Help out. Make a difference.