The Big Help Out volunteering drive to mark King Charles III’s coronation was attended by six million people and is set to become an annual event, organisers have said.

The initiative involved 55,123 scheduled events created by 33,228 charities and community organisations.

The event is set to take place annually “embedding a long-term legacy from the coronation”, say organisers.

Charities involved includes the Scouts, Guide Dogs, Royal voluntary Service, Age UK, St John Ambulance and the National Trust.

Among those volunteering was the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Charlotte, George and Louis, who volunteered to help renovate Upton Scouts Hut in Slough.

“From the youngest members of the Royal family to communities right across the country – people wanted to get stuck in. These figures show the scale of that enthusiasm and its now our task to keep up that momentum,” said Matt Hyde, chief executive of the Scouts.

#TheBigHelpOut with The @scouts pic.twitter.com/0IS9CbTyYY

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 8, 2023

Rutland based Ketton Climate Action was among small charities taking part. It filled 13 bags with rubbish thanks to the efforts of volnteers who took part in litter picking on the day.

Thank you to the volunteers who came to help with our #BigHelpOut litter pick yesterday. Great to see some new volunteers. 13 bags filled along the A6121. #Ketton pic.twitter.com/JzYZyWppsq

— Ketton Climate Action (@KettonClimate) May 9, 2023

Essex based community group Wickford In Bloom said “so much fun was had” by volunteers who supported its flower planting in the area.

@amberolUK the precinct and barrier planter pictures taken by the Sun photography yesterday during out Big Help Out event. So much fun was had and all very excited for the planting this coming Sunday.#BigHelpOut #kingscoronation2023 #wickfordinbloom 🌸🌻🐝🌹@Wickford_News pic.twitter.com/WRgRKKLaVo

— Wickford In Bloom (@wickfordInBloom) May 9, 2023

Politicians helping included Redditch Conservative MP and Housing minister Rachel Maclean, who took part in gardening work with Hanbury Church’s Ecochurch gardening team.

As part of the #BigHelpOut to mark The King's Coronation, I joined Hanbury Church’s Ecochurch gardening team.

I planted wildflowers 🌼 & bushes for a hedge to attract insects 🐛. We cleared some branches from the ancient yew to help keep its strength for the next few centuries. pic.twitter.com/v0uCrI3Hbd

— Rachel Maclean MP (@redditchrachel) May 9, 2023

Slump in volunteering

The Big Help Out was staged amid a slump in volunteering, says latest figures.

According to the Charities Aid Foundation only 7% of the public gave up their time for charity over the previous four weeks when asked last year, down from 9% in 2019. Over the last year just 13% had volunteered, while pre-pandemic the figure was 17%.

Meanwhile, the NCVO has revealed that a lack of flexibility and suitability of roles are a barrier to volunteering.

Inflexibility of roles was mentioned by 14% of those who had considered volunteering. Concerns around expenses is another barrier, with the same proportion worred they would not be reimbursed. Young people are particularly concerned they would be left out of pocket.

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