WILTSHIRE charities are hoping a volunteering push during the King's Coronation weekend next month will inspire more people to give up their time for their communities.

Wessex Community Action, which supports charities around the county, is calling for groups and individuals to support the new monarch's Big Help Out over May 6 to 8, which he wants to be a springboard for people to come forward and support groups in their area.

It has launched a King’s Coronation page on its online community platform Wiltshire Together, listing ways people can get involved.

Volunteer and community development worker Sarah Pickering said: “The coronation weekend is a wonderful opportunity for the whole Wiltshire community to come together to celebrate so we have launched this page to be a central hub for all things community related regarding the coronation.

“Volunteering and supporting charities and community groups is going to be right at the forefront of the national conversation for these few days so it is a golden opportunity to promote the work our amazing voluntary sector does and connect with people who will be inspired to help.”

The page, at wiltshiretogether.org, is aimed at charities and voluntary groups, as well as people looking for ways to give back.

“If organisations are thinking about doing something for the coronation, but don’t know where to start, or have something planned and would like some help to promote it and are looking for volunteers then they can list their activity on the page,” Sarah explained.

“If they are thinking of offering taster volunteer opportunities for the Big Help Out to help with longer term recruitment the campaign page is ideal.”

She said by posting activities, events, and volunteering tasters, it will build a picture of how the weekend is being celebrated. “This gives the opportunity for collaboration, sharing of ideas and the opportunity for everyone to be involved in other projects around the Big Help Out.

“It also gives people the chance to volunteer, where they might not have considered it before. By getting involved, voluntary groups and charities can promote their services and attract volunteers to have a taste of what volunteering for an organisation would be like.”

Wiltshire Together, hosted by Wessex Community Action, is a free and easy to use community platform for voluntary groups, charities and people in the community to advertise community events and activities or search for volunteering vacancies.

It already has more than 660 community organisations and individuals registered. Members can search for groups, activities or people in their area. The site also allows people to register as volunteers and list their experience and skills. It then matches them to any groups needing help that fits them – or they can just search for openings in their area.

Visit wiltshiretogether.org.uk/campaign/kings-coronation for more.