Starting this weekend- June the Month of Community: bringing neighbourhoods together

The Big Lunch brings local people together every year in June and could be a catalyst for reducing loneliness, raising funds for good causes and motivating people to get involved in their local areas.

You are encouraged to take part by registering a community get-together of any size at www.thebiglunch.com putting your community on the map of community-spirited action.

The Big Lunch is an idea from Eden Project that brings neighbours and communities together annually to share friendship, food, and fun. This annual celebration of neighbourhood is part of the Month of Community, with organisers encouraging neighbourhoods and groups across Northern Ireland to hold a Big Lunch to bring their community closer together, fundraise for a good cause, reduce loneliness, spend some time in a local green space or simply get to know each other better.

The Month of Community was originally formed by charities as a reaction to the pandemic- looking at ways to work more effectively at a challenging time. Based on its initial success, partners resolved to stand together turning it into an annual event to celebrate all aspects of community and encourage action each year.

It is the perfect chance to shine a light on the power of communities and what they can do together. Last year more than 3300 Big Lunches were registered in Northern Ireland many of which marked key initiatives that you may already be aware of including Volunteers Week, Refugee Week and Loneliness Awareness Week and many also celebrated The Kings Coronation with The Big Lunch.

If you are having an event in June, The Big Lunch is the perfect partner, you could also hold a Big Lunch at a regular group meeting or just bring a few people together for a cup of tea and cake. There are lots of ways to get involved- take a look at the website The Big Lunch to see what others have done.

Grainne McCloskey, Northern Ireland Regional Manager at Eden Project Communities, said: “Month of Community is a time to shine a light on the incredible communities we live in. It serves as a focal point in the year where people can come people together. It is an opportunity to bring our neighbourhoods closer and there is no better way to do all that than hosting a Big Lunch where people can share food and fun together.”

Taking part influenced how people felt about giving their time, with 64% saying it had helped more people to get involved in voluntary work and 73% agreeing it had helped people to be more likely to appreciate the role of small charities and good causes.

A whopping 88% felt joining in helped people to feel less lonely too, 68% said it helped them to feel more understanding of people from different backgrounds, and 50% agree they now feel safer in their communities because of taking part.

Nature and the environment also benefited – 61% of those taking part recognised that their community is now more appreciative of local green space and protecting nature.

So please take the time to visit our website and find out how you can be part of the biggest celebration of Community spirit in 2024. www.thebiglunch.com

About The Big Lunch

The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual community celebration for neighbours and communities bringing millions of people together in a nationwide act of community friendship held on the first weekend in June every year since 2009. It is an idea from the Eden Project made possible by The National Lottery and is supported by Iceland and The Food Warehouse and Greene King.  Her Majesty The Queen has been patron since 2013.

To find out more go to www.TheBigLunch.com or follow us on socials on @edencommunities