Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week: ‘bring a tin’ to help our communities

20th May 2024

Two national initiatives – the Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week – in early June, are great opportunities to support our Sandwell community. And all you’re being asked to do is ‘bring a tin’ to your local library!

At the same time you can boost team morale and enhance your company’s reputation.

The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out raises awareness of volunteering throughout the UK. It provides opportunities for people to experience volunteering and make a difference in their communities.

Volunteers’ Week

Volunteers’ Week celebrates the amazing contributions that volunteers make to communities across the UK. 2024 is its 40th anniversary year.

This year the Big Help Out is taking place from Friday 7 – Sunday 9 June to coincide with Volunteers’ Week (Monday 3 –  Sunday 9 June). It’s easy for businesses to provide their support for both initiatives and make a difference in our borough.

Bring a tin – it’s that easy! 

SCVO (Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations) and Sandwell Council have a simple way for people to support the Big Help Out and Volunteers’ Week. They are asking everyone to take a tin of food to their local library between Monday 3 June and Friday 7 June.

Better still, if you are a business owner, encourage your team to coordinate a collective food donation effort. This will not only foster team spirit but also create a great photo opportunity!

All donations will directly benefit local food banks, which are currently experiencing high demand.

Drop-off dates for tins

Drop your tins off at the following venues:

• Monday 3 June – Friday 7 June at any Sandwell library during opening hours (here are the locations and opening details).
• Saturday 8 June, 10am – 12pm at Haden Hill House
• Sunday 9 June, 10am – 12pm at West Smethwick Park (at the pavilion).

Social media benefits

Capture your team with their donations and share the moment on social media – you can tag us (Sandwell Business Ambassadors),  SCVO, Let’s Go Sandwell and Sandwell Business Growth. Each organisation will share wherever appropriate. Use the hashtag #BringATin!

If you’d like to coordinate a photo opportunity with SCVO please contact Kim Fuller via kim@scvo.info to find out which library she will be in on which day. Kim will also be at the park events on both days with a wheely bin for your donations.

Volunteering events

During Volunteers’ Week (Monday 3 –  Sunday 9 June), Sandwell libraries will be holding events to highlight local volunteering opportunities:

• Monday 3 June: Hamstead Library, 10am – 12pm
• Monday 3 June: Tipton Library, 1.30 – 3.30pm
• Tuesday 4 June: Cradley Heath Library, 11am – 1pm
• Wednesday 5 June: Wednesbury Library, 9.30 – 11.30am
• Wednesday 5 June: Oldbury Library, 3 – 5pm
• Friday 7 June: Thimblemill Library, 12 – 2pm.

Big Help Out litter picks

During the Big Help Out weekend Sandwell is hosting litter picks across the borough. Here are the venues where you can volunteer to help:

• Saturday 8 June, 10am – 12pm: Haden Hill Park (meet in front of the house)
• Sunday 9 June, 10am – 12pm: West Smethwick Park (meet at the pavilion).

All litter-picking equipment will be provided. You can drop off tins during those events too. 

If you are planning to attend a litter pick as a corporate team, please let Kim Fuller know via kim@scvo.info so she knows to expect you.

Let’s unite

Let’s unite to make Sandwell a better place for all our communities. Take part in one or all of the events to make a difference to our borough.

As Sandwell Business Ambassadors, we encourage Sandwell businesses to consider giving back to the community year round by offering your time and/ or skills. Find out more ways you can help on our Giving back to Sandwell page.