The event will be hosted by Matt Hyde, Chair of The Big Help Out, and Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project, the charity behind The Big Lunch. In 2026, these two initiatives will come together to encourage one big weekend of community and action in the UK on 5 – 8 June.
The showcase is also supported by the ‘Shaping the Future with Volunteering’ network and celebrates the collective power of the people who give their time to support groups and good causes across all aspects of everyday life.
For the Coronation in May 2023, over 7.2m people joined in to lend a hand and try volunteering with the inaugural Big Help Out. That same year, 14.1m people strengthened local connections by taking part in The Big Lunch as part of Coronation events made possible by over 600k informal volunteers. Together they demonstrate how volunteering is open to all as a way of bringing communities together, as well as promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of the volunteers themselves.
Inspired by this demonstration of community spirit, and showing how the impact of volunteering transcends borders, the President of Germany has instigated a similar volunteering initiative, “Der Ehrentag” taking place on 23 May 2026 mirroring the UK’s big weekend taking place on the 5-8 June.
By coming together, The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out aim to give community action a boost, encouraging millions of people to come together to eat, meet and lend a hand locally to make a difference for people, place and planet. Coordinated by the Eden Project, the campaign will be supported by 36 of the largest volunteering charities in the ‘Shaping the Future with Volunteering’ network and plans to engage voluntary organisations of all sizes across the UK who are keen to welcome and inspire new volunteers, thank their existing volunteer networks and celebrate communities.
Running annually since 2009, The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual get together for neighbours and communities when millions of people come together to share friendship, food and fun on the first weekend in June. It is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the Pears Foundation and supported by Coop and Greene King. The Big Help Out started in 2023, encouraging people to have a go at volunteering, lend a hand and make a difference. Millions of people took part in 2023 and again in 2024, as charities offered simple, light touch opportunities for people to find out more and see what volunteering was all about.
Bringing The Big Help Out and The Big Lunch together is made possible by funding from the Pears Foundation and the UK Government and is to be delivered by the Eden Project charity on the weekend of 5-8 June. This nationally significant moment will also form part of Volunteers’ Week and the Month of Community.
Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project, said: ‘We are delighted to be bringing The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out together for 2026 as part of Eden Project’s charitable work. There has never been a more important time to bring people and communities together and to support them to take positive action where they live. This exciting collaboration will bring all the friendship, food and fun of The Big Lunch together with the chance for people from all walks of life to try something new, make a difference and have a go at volunteering in a new way. There is something for everyone and by working together we can grow connections, strengthen our communities – and have a good time doing it!’
Matt Hyde OBE, Co-Founder of The Big Help Out and CEO of the Lloyds Bank Foundation said: ‘We are thrilled that The Big Help Out is returning in 2026 and we’re particularly pleased that it will be hosted by our friends at Eden alongside The Big Lunch. These two fantastic initiatives bring people together in communities, encouraging them to connect, have fun and take action on causes they care about. We’re going to be mobilising charities, businesses, and community-led efforts to make this a weekend to remember with a lasting positive impact. So save the date of 5-8 June 2026 and get involved!’
To find out more about The Big Help Out and The Big Lunch and how you can get involved in activities and events on 5-8 June go to www.edenprojectcommunities.com.
