Small Acts, Big Impact: Taking Part in The King’s Big Help Out

15 May

Communities across the country came together for a truly special moment in history: The King’s Big Help Out, a national volunteering initiative that encouraged people of all ages to give something back. At St Lawrence, it became more than just a bank holiday event. It became a powerful reminder of what happens when children realise they have the ability to make a difference.

To mark the occasion, Agents of Change designed a bespoke Coronation badge, created in conjunction with The Big Help Out. We were delighted to give one to every pupil at St Lawrence School, allowing them to add it to their growing badge collection and celebrate the message behind the event: that everyone has something to give.

The badge was not just a keepsake. It was a symbol. A reminder that children have the power to contribute, to care, and to lead positive change in their communities. It celebrated the idea that volunteering is not only for adults, but something children can embrace too, with confidence and pride.

Over the Coronation bank holiday weekend, we received the most heart-warming updates from pupils and families sharing the ways they had chosen to volunteer. From thoughtful acts of kindness to practical help in the local community, it was clear that our children were taking the message of Agents of Change seriously and proudly stepping up in their own time.

It was especially inspiring because these were not activities organised by school. These were actions chosen by the children themselves. They gave up part of their weekend to do something positive, simply because they wanted to help.

The updates we received were full of joy and generosity. Children supported family members, helped neighbours, cared for their local environment and took part in simple but meaningful actions that brought smiles to others. Some chose to go litter picking, others spent time cheering up relatives, and many took the opportunity to spread kindness through encouraging words and helpful hands. Every action was different, but every one mattered.

That is the true spirit of Agents of Change. It is not about doing something huge or complicated. It is about recognising that small actions, repeated by many people, can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what we can see.

What made this moment so special was seeing children genuinely excited to share their volunteering experiences. They were proud of what they had done, and rightly so. Their actions showed empathy, responsibility and a strong sense of community. They demonstrated that even during a weekend of celebration, they were thinking about how they could make someone else’s day better.

We were incredibly proud of every child who took part. The King’s Big Help Out gave pupils an opportunity to see that volunteering does not always look the same. It could be tidying a local area, helping at home, supporting someone who needed company, or simply choosing to spread kindness. The possibilities really were endless.

Most importantly, it showed our children that they do not need to wait until they are older to make a difference. They can start now, with the choices they make every day.

To all of our Agents of Change who volunteered during The Big Help Out, thank you. You have shown what it means to be part of something bigger, and you have proven that small acts can create big impact.