What kind of opportunities should I upload?
Many volunteers will be trying volunteering for the first time, so simple and welcoming activities work best.
The Big Help Out works best with opportunities that are:
- Short
- Flexible
- Beginner-friendly
- Social
Roles that last 1-3 hours are especially popular.
Here are some examples :
Community and Outdoor Activities - good for drop-in volunteering sessions.
- Litter picking
- Planting wildflowers or trees
- Painting or cleaning outdoor spaces
- Community garden tidy-ups
These activities work well because volunteers can join for a couple of hours and see an immediate impact.
Behind-the-Scenes Support - short tasks that help charities behind the scenes.
- Packing food bank parcels
- Sorting clothing donations
- Preparing care packages
These micro-volunteering tasks allow people to help quickly.
Creative or Skills Taster Sessions - great for those wanting to try out different ways of helping.
- Decorating kindness rocks
- Making cards for hospital patients
- Creating social media content
Social and Community Activities - opportunities that help people connect with others.
- Hosting a tea and chat session
- Supporting a community café
- Holding a charity open day
Top 5 tips
✔ Keep activities under 2–3 hours
✔ Offer multiple time slots where possible
✔ Make roles simple and beginner-friendly
✔ Highlight “no experience needed”
✔ Include opportunities for individuals or small groups who may want to come along together
Framing your role as “Try volunteering for an hour” can encourage more people to sign up.