Get involved
We need your help to make this year's Gathering the best yet! Here are some ways you can be part of the UK's biggest free voluntary sector event...
Events and exhibition
Host an event
Is there a particular theme or topic you want to explore with delegates at the Gathering 2026? If you'd like to highlight your organisation's work, generate discussion and share best practice, we'd love to hear from you. Apply to host an event and share your ideas!
Book an exhibition space
Our exhibition spaces are also a great way to showcase your organisation and engage with the thousands of delegates who attend the Gathering each year. Bookings are now open with exhibition spaces expected to fill up fast.
Fun & interactive activities
We’re looking for fun and interactive elements for the Gathering 2026!
This could either be performances, or interactive activities that delegates can get hands-on with: in previous years we’ve had community choirs, make-your-own bath bags, Taiko drumming, health walks and guided tours, photography displays, fun-and-fit-bikes, mindful arts and crafts, and more.
If your organisation could bring a touch of magic to the Gathering, please get in touch.
Volunteer
We're looking for enthusiastic and energetic volunteers to help deliver the Gathering. We'd like your help with:
- exhibition set-up
- assisting exhibitors
- supporting workshop hosts
- delegate registration
- signposting events
Check out the Gathering 2025 video to get an idea of what you will be helping deliver from behind the scenes.
Working with our experienced events management team, you will gain practical event management experience and you'll be helping to deliver SCVO's flagship event; the largest, free-to-attend voluntary sector event in the UK. You will also get an insight into how a large venue operates, how various contractors are involved in setting up and delivering a large event and you'll get a sneak peak behind the scenes into the work that the SCVO teams put in to put on the Gathering. You'll have lots of fun along the way too!
Here are some comments from previous volunteers:
“Thank you for having me as part of your team, I really enjoyed it, as always!! So many impressions over the last few days!!”
“It was great to be part of the Gathering family again and will definitely be back again next year, as soon as you have a date let me know and I'll organise my diary around it.”
“It was a pleasure to work with you all and I can't wait till next year already, thank you for having us.”
Whether you are looking for hands-on experience to include in your CV or you'd just like to lend a helping hand, email Helen Swatton with the information below by Friday 17 October:
- Name
- Mobile phone number
- Current role (college/university/organisation)
- Event experience (if you have some. It's not essential!)
- Days/times you are available (9, 10 and/or 11 February)
We look forward to hearing from you!
