Summer Fete Top Tips to help you get volunteers

If you are in a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), you may face a common problem. How can you get more parents to join and help? This is especially important when your biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up soon.

The school summer fete is a great chance to raise money, build community, and celebrate the school year. However, it can be a big job if you only have a few helpers. The good news? You can boost parent involvement without awkward emails, desperate pleas at the school gate, or feeling like you're twisting arms.

Here are some tried-and-tested strategies that will help you with your summer fete planning and find parent volunteers.

1. Make It Easy to Say “Yes”

Often, parents want to help — they just don’t know how. Break down big jobs into small, specific tasks with clear time commitments. For example:

Instead of this:

• We need volunteers for the fete.

Try this:

• “Can you help with setting up tables from 9–10am on Saturday?”

Better yet, use simple tools like Google Forms, Volunteer Sign Up, or even a WhatsApp group to let parents choose what fits their schedule. The easier it is to sign up, the more likely they will with your next fundraising event.

2. Show the Impact

People are more willing to get involved when they see the value of their contribution. Show how PTA efforts directly support the school community — and their own children.

Try this: “Last year’s fete raised £XXX — this was enough to fund a new reading corner, playground repairs, and Year 6 leavers’ hoodies. With your help, we can go even further this year.”

Use newsletters, social media, and posters in the school to celebrate past successes. Show a clear picture of what is possible and what your fundraising goal is for the year.

3. Give People a Warm Welcome

Joining a PTA event shouldn't feel daunting. Set the tone with a culture that’s friendly, inclusive, and low-pressure. If you’re planning a fete meeting or volunteer session, offer tea, biscuits, and a genuinely warm vibe.

Make the meeting accessible for working parents. A Zoom meeting in the evening, after the kids are in bed, may get more attendees than a morning drop-off meeting.

4. Tap into Parents’ Skills and Interests

Not everyone wants to run a tombola. However, some people might be great at baking, social media, event planning, or graphic design.

Send out a simple skills survey at the start of the year or term. This survey should go to each year group. It will help you find out if any parents have skills they want to use at events.

You might discover hidden talents like:

• A parent who’s a DJ and can handle sound for the event or help run a school disco
• Someone who works in marketing and can boost your online promotion
• A crafty parent who can lead a “make your own bunting” workshop

People are far more likely to help when the task feels natural to them.

5. Celebrate Every Contribution

Make sure parents feel appreciated — whether they donated a prize, stayed late to clean up, or just showed up to the planning meeting. Public thank-yous on the school Facebook page or newsletter go a long way.

Consider small tokens of appreciation:

• A “thank you” coffee morning after the event
• A hand-written note from the kids or staff

Feeling valued is one of the biggest motivators for future involvement.

6. Get Creative with “Micro-Volunteering”

Some parents simply can’t commit to regular meetings or full event days. But they can:

• Bake a cake the night before
• Drop off raffle prizes
• Print and cut tickets at home
• If you need help manning a stall- break it down into manageable time slots. 15-30 minutes will seem much easier for parents to commit to.

Promote these small jobs as “micro-volunteering.” This will attract a new group of helpers who might not have joined otherwise.

7. Use the Summer Fete as a Gateway

The school summer fete is a golden opportunity to recruit new energy. Set up a friendly “Get Involved” stall at the event with:

• A signup sheet for next year’s welcome event from the PTA committee
• A QR code to join the PTA WhatsApp or mailing list
• A board showing exactly what funds raised go toward

Keep it light, informal, and welcoming. No hard sell needed — just plant the seed and open the door.

By showing the impact to PTA members and making it easier to get involved, more parents may join. This is especially true during big events like the summer fete.

Here’s to a successful, well-supported summer fete — and a PTA full of happy helpers!

Want more PTA tips and inspiration?

Check out our most popular blog: Top Summer Fete Ideas 2024