1) Review the Safety information
Don’t skip this step. It’s important to review the safety information before offering help to another member or meeting them in person.
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How to Give Help
It’s not hard to use Help Handed™ to give help, but it does matter how you do it if you want a successful and safe experience. Read each section to get the most out of our platform.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill
Volunteer for a Person, Not Just a Cause
Help Handed is an online platform that connects people seeking help with volunteers who are willing to lend a hand. By bringing help requests and willing volunteers together in one place, Help Handed makes it easier for communities to support one another.
If you’re looking for meaningful ways to serve others, Help Handed helps you discover opportunities to help people in your community. Instead of waiting to hear about needs through word of mouth, you can find help requests from people who are actively seeking support and choose the opportunities that best match your interests, skills, and availability.
How Giving Help Works
2) Check Out the Help Requests
Browse Local Requests
Visit the Offer Help page to find people in need in your area. You can filter the requests based on keywords in titles or multiple request features, including help frequency, requester circumstances, and help type.
Set Your Profile to Receive Notifications
Update your profile settings to receive help request email notifications in your area. You’ll find the checkbox under the Giving Help tab.
3) Offer Help
Review the full details of help requests that interest you most. If logged in, you’ll also have access to the profile of the member requesting help where you can learn more about them.
When you’re confident you can deliver the help being requested, select the “Offer Help” button on the help request detail page. When you do this, the other member will be able to review your profile (Giving Help and Trust & Safety sections only). If they accept your help, they can then access your email and phone number which they will use to contact you for an introduction call. Be sure to watch your email in case they prefer to reach out this way.
4) Meet the Help Requester & Make Plans
The help requester should reach out by phone or email to meet you. At that point, you can ask all the questions you need to 1) make sure you feel safe and comfortable, and 2) make sure there is no unexpected information, and you can deliver on the request. You can then arrange a time that fits for you to provide help.
5) Provide Help
Simply show up when agreed, and provide the requested help. Be careful to avoid injury or damaging property.
Make the most of your time. Do you see anything else they might need while you’re there?
Be aware that your help may have been accepted in place of other volunteers, so it’s important to follow through on your help offer. If you find you can’t finish the work, consider introducing the requester to a trusted contact who can.
If You're Going to Help, Do It Well
It’s one thing to offer help, it’s another to follow through with it. Keep these things in mind when helping others…
Communicate with Clarity & Kindness
Ask questions, listen closely, and confirm what’s needed. A friendly attitude and open communication go a long way in building trust.
Communicate in advance if you plan to bring others.
Show Up Prepared and On Time
Arrive when you say you will, and bring whatever tools, supplies, or knowledge you need to give them your best.
Honor Boundaries and Privacy
You’re there to help, not to pry. Be respectful of people’s space, belongings, and dignity, especially in sensitive situations.
Demonstrate Safety Early
Consider adding a clean criminal background check on your profile to give those in need extra peace of mind when accepting your help.
Demonstrate trust when you meet in person by proactively showing your ID.
Prioritize Your Safety
Using Help Handed for volunteering means stepping into someone else’s life—sometimes even their home. While most experiences are positive and rewarding, your safety should always come first. If anything ever feels unsafe, leave the situation and report the concern to Help Handed through the other member’s profile.
Remember, you are responsible for your own safety. Here are a few smart tips to help keep your volunteer experience safe and comfortable:
1) Trust Your Instincts
If something about a requester, communication, or location doesn’t feel right, you’re never obligated to continue. You can withdraw your offer of help at any time—no explanation needed.
2) Clarify Attendees in Advance
As part of your initial communications, get clarity on who will be present when providing help. Check online records to confirm who lives at the address provided. You should expect the same attendees when you arrive, and asking to see an ID is entirely reasonable.
3) Bring a Friend When You Can
If you’re unsure about the situation or it’s your first time helping someone, consider bringing a friend or family member with you—especially for in-home tasks.
4) Let Someone Know Where You’re Going
Share the details of your visit (who, where, when) with a friend or loved one, and check in before, during, and after the task.
5) Keep Your Personal Boundaries
You’re there to help—not to take on more than you’re comfortable with. Don’t hesitate to say “no” if you’re asked to do something beyond the original request.
6) Use Daylight Hours When Possible
Whenever you can, schedule help sessions during daytime hours. It’s safer and more comfortable for both you and the person you’re helping.