King Charles III coronation: how to get involved including volunteering and holding street parties

Manchester residents are being encouraged to get involved with the celebrations as the country prepares to mark its first royal coronation in well over half a century.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in a service on Saturday 6 May, with community events and festivities taking place throughout the country over the bank holiday weekend.

Manchester City Council has been suggesting ways residents who want to join in the celebrations can do so, ranging from volunteering to hosting a street party.

The royal couple has said they would like people to spend the coronation weekend with friends, family and neighbours, and the National Lottery is making funding available for local events to be staged.

How can I hold a street party for the coronation?

The council is hoping Mancunians will bring out the bunting along with the trifle and sandwiches and hold street parties across the city to mark the coronation.

Street parties are a traditional and time-honoured way of bringing people together to celebrate major royal events. Anyone wanting to host one this time around has to apply to close the road where the party is taking place by Friday 21 April. Anyone who meets the deadline will have their road closure fee waived.

To apply to shut off the road to hold a coronation street party, visit the Manchester City Council website.

On the Government website you can also find plenty of advice on how to hold a street party.

How I can volunteer during the coronation with the Big Help Out?

The Big Help Out, a national volunteering scheme aiming to highlight the positive impact people giving up some of their time to support their communities can have, is taking place on Monday 8 May, the special bank holiday which has been granted for the coronation.

Anyone who would like to see some positive change in their local area is invited to get involved, with the scheme promising there will be voluntary roles for everyone to take on no matter what their skills or abilities.

The Big Help Out website has information for individuals, community organisations and businesses wanting to sign up.

Manchester City Council is also suggesting its own Manchester Volunteer Inspire Programme (MCRVIP) will help anyone looking to get involved in their local area find the right opportunities across the city.

The online platform has details of events and activities happening in Manchester over the coronation weekend and throughout the year.

How can I get involved with The Coronation Big Lunch?

The Coronation Big Lunch is looking to bring people together across the country to help celebrate the official crowning of the new monarch. Across the country people will share some food and a cup of tea with their neighbours on Sunday 7 May.

The Big Lunch has been funded by the National Lottery and is being overseen by the Eden Project. The aim is to support charities up and down the country and it is hoped millions of people will get involved.

To find out more or get involved, visit the Coronation Big Lunch page on the Eden Project Communities website.

Can I put on my own coronation event?

If none of the big nationwide coronation events which are taking place in Manchester take your fancy it is also possible to get funding to stage your own event.

National Lottery Awards for All funding is being made available to support events and activities related to celebrating the official crowning of the monarch over the coronation weekend.

This money can support a range of activities, with grants from £300 up to £10,000 available. The events can be anything from supporting local services to cultural activities and events bringing residents together. The projects could also be a one-off event or activity taking place around the weekend of the coronation.

To find out more or to apply, visit The National Lottery Community Fund website.

What else is happening for the coronation of King Charles III?

King Charles III and Camilla the Queen Consort will be officially crowned at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May in a service presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Coronations are largely symbolic ceremonies as the royal succession takes place immediately on the death of the previous monarch.

It is understood the coronation for King Charles III will combine reflections on the monarchy as an institution in today’s world alongside the pomp and pageantry which has become associated with such royal occasions over the centuries.

Their Majesties will arrive at the abbey in a procession from Buckingham Palace and there will be another larger Coronation Procession also involving other members of the royal family going back to the palace following the service.

The King and Queen Consort, accompanied by other members of the family, will then appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to round out the day’s official events.

On the evening of Sunday 7 May there will also be a special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle which is being staged and broadcast by the BBC.

What has been said about the coronation in Manchester?

Coun Luthfur Rahman OBE, the deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort is a historic moment and a momentous occasion for the whole country.

“From sharing sandwiches with your neighbours to rolling up your sleeves and volunteering together there’s a number of ways that Mancunians from all corners of the city can mark the occasion. I’d encourage all to have a look and see how their community can come together and get involved.”