Lend a hand. Make a change. Join Age UK in The Big Help Out 2024

The Big Help Out is back! This June some of the country’s best-known charities are coming together to encourage people to sign up to volunteer to help their local communities.

Age UK is one of those joining the initiative, which takes place between 7^th June to Sunday 9^th June, and it’s inviting the public to try their hand at volunteering across a variety of roles. The charity is reliant on volunteers who help provide vital support to older people, often at a time in their lives when they need help the most. 

More than seven million people overall took part in last year’s Big Help Out - getting together to volunteer, and make a difference in their local area – and organisers have launched the 2024 edition with support from His Majesty the King.

As well as providing much-needed support, volunteering also enables people to gain valuable new skills, confidence, experiences and friends. Age UK offers many services, nationally and locally, which means there are countless opportunities available, some of which include:

Volunteering Opportunities at Age UK

• Volunteering as a Telephone Befriender

Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Services are there to provide a regular, friendly conversation for those who want it, by matching older people up with a trained volunteer who calls them at the same time for 30 minutes every week.

• Join an Age UK shop team

Age UK’s 250 charity shops help the Charity raise vital funds for its work and services and depend on the support and dedication of volunteers.

• Volunteer for The Silver Line Helpline

This free and confidential 24-hour helpline is there for older people who feel lonely and isolated and need a chat, at any time of the day or night. 

• Support a local Age UK

There is a network of over 120 independent local Age UK, and Age Scotland, Age Northern Ireland and Age Cymru organisations that run a variety of services which volunteers play a key role in delivering. These include social groups and activities such as fitness classes, digital inclusion programmes, home from hospital transport, friendship services and much more.

• Campaign to make the UK a great place to grow older

Age UK believes it is vital the Government listen to the needs of older people. Campaign volunteers help push for change through small acts such as signing petitions or writing to their MPs.

To find out more about volunteering roles at Age UK and supporting The Big Help Out visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/volunteer

Pledge your support!

Age UK is asking people to take The Big Help Out Pledge and commit to volunteering between June 7th and June 9th. People can do this by entering their details at www.thebighelpout.org.uk People can also pledge their support by posting on social media using the hashtag #TheBigHelpOut and tagging Age UK.

To find out more about The Big help out visit: www.thebighelpout.org.uk 

Notes to editors:

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).