Sign up

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Norwich Open Christmas volunteer. Our Christmas Day celebration is such a rewarding and fun experience, you're sure to enjoy yourself immensely! 

How you can sign up

I have not volunteered for Norwich Open Christmas before

• If you would like to apply to become a volunteer for December 2025, you'll need to fill in one of our application forms (click SIGN UP TO BE A VOLUNTEER button below). ​
• ​The application form is quick and simple, and shouldn't take too long to fill in at all. 
• Once you've filled in your application and you have been accepted as a volunteer, you'll be sent an email with next steps. This email will invite you to pick tasks. See 'Picking tasks' section below for instructions on how to pick tasks. 
• All applications must be completed by 31 October. 

sign up be a to volunteer

I have volunteered for Norwich Open Christmas before

• Thank you for thinking about volunteering again!
• ​If you would like to volunteer this year, you'll need to ensure your profile is up to date and then you can pick your tasks. To do this, you can visit the Better Impact page (click SIGN IN TO VOLUNTEER button below). 
• See 'Picking tasks' section below for instructions on how to pick tasks.
  

SIGN IN TO VOLUNTEER

If circumstances have changed and you cannot volunteer this year, it would be appreciated if you could let us know whether you would like to be removed from future communications (please email [email protected]).  On the other hand, if you are considering volunteering at some point in the future we can keep you on our system.

Picking tasks

You need to be accepted as a volunteer before you can pick your tasks. Once you've been accepted as a volunteer, you'll be able to login to your Better Impact account and pick your tasks.

How to pick tasks:  

1. Click on the opportunities tab (the second tab along). 
2. Click on opportunities list from the drop down menu. You will then be taken to a page which shows you all the available tasks you can select. 
3. To pick a task you need to click on the task drop down menu, such as Food prep at City College. Then click on an available task, these will appear underneath the ACTIVITY column and are in blue writing. 
4. Once you have clicked on a task, you will be taken to a new page where you can sign up for it. To sign up, just click on the sign up button on the right. You can sign up to tasks from different categories, such as Christmas Eve activities as well as Hall clear up day. 
5. If there is no sign up option then that task is now full. You can add your name to the waiting list or select another task. 

Here is a help guide which gives step by step instructions for task completion:

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Help with picking tasks

If you need extra help with picking tasks, we have two options: 

Option 1 - Join our help with picking tasks zoom calls

If you're experiencing any issues with Better Impact,  we’re here to help! We’re holding dedicated system help calls on the dates listed below, where you can drop in and get support. 

Online meeting 1
Date: 1 September 2025
Time: 19:00
​Link: Join zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 830 1473 6091
Passcode: 118271

Online meeting 2 - zoom
Date: 4 September 2025
Time: 19:00
Link: Join zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 878 9079 2494
Passcode: 715071

Option 2 - Fill out our task picker form

If you are struggling to select your tasks you can also complete our 'picking tasks form'. Our volunteer lead will then sign you up to the tasks selected (subject to availability).

picking tasks form

How can you help? 

Food preparation 
All the meals for our 500+ guests are prepared with the kind generosity and support of the staff at City College Norwich, together with the hard work of the Norwich Open Christmas volunteers.  ​

​Hall preparation 
On Christmas Eve, a team of Norwich Open Christmas volunteers work hard to decorate the hall, lay the tables, prepare the kitchens and sort through the donated items so that we are ready to receive our guests on Christmas Day. 

Christmas Day 
Meeting our guests at the main door, making cups of tea, or making sure that everyone leaves the premises safely, are just some of the numerous tasks involved in ensuring the smooth running of Norwich Open Christmas. The day is a hugely rewarding experience, and we hope that you enjoy yourself as much as our guests do! 

Drivers and Assistants 
Every year approximately 500 people who are alone, homeless, or in need on Christmas Day rely on Norwich Open Christmas to provide them with entertainment and Christmas dinner. Of these people, between 100 - 200 of them would be unable to attend if it were not for the generosity of volunteers who give up their time to transport guests to and from the event venue. 

​Clearing day
It does exactly what it says on the tin; everything which was laid out, put up or brought to the event venue for Norwich Open Christmas needs to be put back to its original state. Any food or clothing left over is distributed to other organisations which continue to support our guests throughout the year. 

Volunteer wellbeing

We are passionate about giving our guests the best Christmas celebration possible, but we are acutely aware that whilst becoming a volunteer for Norwich Open Christmas is a hugely rewarding experience, it can also be tough. Volunteer wellbeing is an upmost priority of ours, so please think carefully before applying to help Norwich Open Christmas. 

If you have any questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator Doreen. 
Phone:  01603 510751 (choose option 3)
Email: ​[email protected]