We're excited to be supporting The Big Help Out again this year, working with our local charity partners and The Lord-Lieutenant's Office.

In 2023, we joined volunteer organisations across the county to experience the volunteering opportunities they can offer local residents; we built Moses Basket start packs for new parents with Baby Basics, attended The Hope Centre's drop-in sessions and joined Volunteer Action Oundle's Coronation Party.  

This year, The Big Help Out will align with Volunteering Week, taking place from Friday 7th - Sunday 9th June.

The Big Help Out is an opportunity for local residents of any age and stage to connect with their local community, build friendships, skills and experience and give back to our county.

Northampton Carnival

Saturday 8th June, 12pm - 7:30pm at Racecourse Park, Northampton, NN1 4LG
The theme for Northampton Carnival 2024 is “A Festival for All Cultures”, chosen to give hope and the opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate.

Open Gardens Oundle

Sunday 9th June, 11am - 5pm in various gardens across Oundle
Organised by Creative Oundle, this event is an opportunity to visit some exquisite gardens across the historic town.  Tickets will be £5 in advance or £7 on the day, purchase online here or visit Milestones Florist.

Baby Basics Starter Packs Building

Friday 7th & Saturday 8th June, 9:30am - 12:30pm at The Keep House, 124 High St, Wollaston, NN9 7RJ
Join Baby Basics for a morning of sorting donations and creating starter packs for families in need. For more information, contact Sabrina Oakey, Head of Operations and Development: babybasics.gpc@gmail.com

Hemmingwell Community Fun Day

Saturday 8th June, 12pm - 6pm at Hemmingwell Community Centre, 127 Nest Farm Crescent, Wellingborough, NN8 4TU
There will be a bouncy castle, games and crafts, a community café and much more. For more information, contact reception.hemcio@gmail.com

Off the Streets NN Critical Bleed Training

Monday 10th June, 6pm - 8pm at Castello Lounge, Wellingborough, NN8 1AN
Join local charity Off the Streets NN for a free training session that will teach you how to deal with critical bleeds and knife injuries. For more information, contact OTS@offthestreetsnn.com 

St Andrews Healthcare Volunteering Day

Friday 7th June, 8:30am - 3:30pm at St Andrew's Healthcare, Billing Road, Northampton, NN11 5DG
List of volunteering tasks: café assistants, gardening and planting, sanding and varnishing furniture, jet washing, soap dish making, weeding and litter picking, garden bench painting. For more information, contact Dawn Wright, Voluntary Services Manager: VoluntaryServices@stah.org or 01604 616202

Restore: Northampton Family Fun Day

Saturday 8th June, 11am - 2pm at 42 Sheep Street, Northampton, NN1 2NE
Enjoy bouncy castles, fête stalls, play areas, a café, glitter tattoos, candyfloss, popcorn and more at a Family Fun Day that's completely free to attend. For more information, call 01604 328046

Clean Up St Crispin Retirement Village

Friday 7th June from 2pm, St Crispin Retirement Village, St Crispin Drive, Upton, Northampton, NN5 4RA
St Crispin Retirement Village are holding a community litter pick to take part in this year's Big Help Out. For more information, call 07355924321

Brackley Community Larder

Friday 7th June, 12pm - 1pm at Egerton Hall, Juno Crescent, Brackley, NN13 6GN
Contact The Hope Centre on 01604 214300 to find out how you can volunteer at a community larder in Northamptonshire.

Helmdon Community Larder

Friday 7th June, 2pm - 3:30pm at Reading Rooms, Helmdon, NN13 5QJ
Contact The Hope Centre on 01604 214300 to find out how you can volunteer at a community larder in Northamptonshire.

Middleton Cheney Volunteering Weekend

Saturday 8th June, 12pm - 3pm at 19 Astrop Rd, Middleton Cheney, Banbury OX17 2PG
Join Middleton Cheney Playing Fields Association for The Village Fête and The Big Dog Show. For more information, contact Sally-Ann Dod, Secretary Middleton Cheney PFA: 07970721976 or Secretary@mcpfa.com

Crick Woodlands Volunteering Session

Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th June at 2pm, the Fire Pit at Crick Jubilee Wood, Yelvertoft Rd, Northampton NN6 7TF
Speak to the team about how you can get involved in maintaining your local woodlands at the weekends. For more information, contact crickwoodlands@gmail.com

Path Building at Obelisk Spinney Pocket Park

Saturday 8th June, 10am - 12:30pm at Obelisk Spinney Pocket Park, Obelisk Rise, Northampton NN2 8UB
Help to improve the paths that have become worn out after a wet winter and spring. If you have your own shovel, please bring it with you and, for more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ObeliskSpinneyPP/

Kitchen decorating at Norton Village Hall

Saturday 8th June, 9am - 5pm at Norton Village Hall, Norton, Daventry, NN11 2ND
Help fellow volunteers to re-decorate the Village Hall kitchen before the new kitchen is installed. For more information, call 07833 136125.

KidsFest at Welford Playing Fields

Saturday 8th June, 10am - 3pm at Welford Playing Fields, W End, Welford, Northampton NN6 6HL
Featuring: fun and informative workshops, arts and science activities, sensory play, gardening and composting, kids' yoga, forest school and plenty of food trucks and special guests. For more information, call 07837 579550.

Nene Valley Swimming Club Volunteer Recruitment

Sunday 16th & 23rd June, 2:30pm - 5pm at Nene Centre, Cedar Drive, Thrapston, NN14 4JY
Meet Mary, Jane and Amelia who will discuss what opportunities they have within the club for both regular and ad hoc volunteering. For more information, call 01509 640700.

Brackley Swimming Club Volunteer Recruitment

Saturday 22nd June, 4:10pm - 5:40pm at Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfield Lane, Brackley, NN13 6JJ
Meet Rob, who will discuss what opportunities they have within the club for both regular and ad hoc volunteering. For more information, call 01509 640700.

Thrapston Sea Cadets Riverside Litter Pick and Boat Station Clear Up

Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th June, 9am - 4pm at Eastern Area Boat Station, Meadow Ln, Thrapston, Kettering NN14 4GD
Join the Sea Cadets for a litter pick event in the area surrounding the boat station, including the scenic River Nene, and for a clear up of the boat station, including tasks like weeding, clearing, and painting. For more information, call 07711 606345.

Weldon Park Litter Pick

Sunday 9th June, 10am at Weldon Park