‘You never know what might happen in your community after a chat over a few sandwiches and some cake!’ – Michelle McManus
Edinburgh neighbours joined in with the millions of people all over the UK who have been getting to know their neighbours better as part of The Big Lunch yesterday. The UK’s annual one-day get-together for neighbours, an initiative led by the Eden Project and made possible by the Big Lottery Fund, has taken place in villages, towns and cities across the country.
Big Lunch activities in Edinburgh included a fiesta-themed Big Lunch in Trinity, neighbours’ street parties in Newhaven and Willowbrae and an event organized by Halifax Princes Street branch at Gorgie City Farm attended by the Lord Provost.
Communities were getting together across Scotland, including at street parties in Glasgow, Angus and West Lothian, picnics in the park in Dumfries, Fife and Perthshire and even a Big Lunch beach party on the Isle of Skye!
The Big Lunch, which is supported by Halifax and Asda, is the perfect recipe for having fun with neighbours, feeding community spirit and helping to build stronger neighbourhoods. People are the key ingredient, with those taking part creating friendlier communities in which they start to share more, from conversation and ideas to skills and resources.
Elaine, who helped put the fiesta Big Lunch together in Trinity today, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day and a great turnout! We first decided to give The Big Lunch a go in 2009 when we realised we didn’t know everyone in our stair of 8 flats – we’ve now held one every year since! We ended up meeting people who had lived in the street for over 40 years but who I had never even seen before as they rarely come out. It has been a real icebreaker for us, bringing our community closer together, breaking down barriers and providing a chance to socialise.”
Lara, who got her neighbours together in Willowbrae yesterday, explained: “It seems to be a common theme that neighbours have fewer opportunities to meet. In Willowbrae, we’ve seen the closure of the baker, post office, pub and chemist. Some of us lead such busy lives that unless we make an effort, chances are we won’t see or speak to our neighbours. The Big Lunch felt like the perfect excuse to bring everyone together. The real benefits we’ve felt since our first Big Lunch include a greater sense of community and in building trust. Once you’ve chatted to someone over cake (or chocolate dipped strawberries, or green smoothie, or home made pakora!) then what you’ve actually done without noticing it is broken down some imaginary barriers!”
Sir Tim Smit KBE, Co-Founder of the Eden Project and The Big Lunch, said: “The Big Lunch is always special as millions of people all over the UK take time out of their busy lives to talk, laugh and eat with their neighbours. It is based on a simple concept: if we spend a Sunday afternoon with our neighbours in June, we’ll build friendships and stronger communities that will last for years. It’s about making our streets happier, safer and less lonely places and it’s fantastic to see so many people taking part this year.”
Michelle McManus, who has supported The Big Lunch in Scotland for the past three years, added: “I really believe in the benefits of being part of a strong community like the one I grew up in the East End of Glasgow. Even today, I cherish the great relationships I am lucky to have with my own neighbours.
“Knowing who you live beside makes you feel safe and connected to your community. Events like The Big Lunch provide an excuse to chap your neighbour’s door and ask if they’d like to get together. You never know what might happen in your community after a chat over a few sandwiches and some cake!”
Pictures by Phil Wilkinson
AND THAT BIG LUNCH COULD GET EVEN BIGGER …
The project that last year encouraged over 400,000 Scottish people to share lunch with their neighbours has been awarded Scottish Government funding to help more communities be involved in this year’s events.
Big Lunch Scotland will receive almost £50,000 to give communities the chance to apply for a grant that could go towards food, insurance, outdoor games or furniture to host their own get-together.
From now until September, communities who may have faced barriers to taking part in the past will be able to apply for grants of up to £150.
The Big Lunch is the Eden Project’s annual UK-wide event aimed at building community spirit and getting neighbours talking. While events kick off on June 7, communities are encouraged to run events throughout the summer.
In addition, the Scottish Government funding will also offer grants of up to £500 to help support participants of the Big Lunch Extra Programme develop ideas in their community such as cookery classes, babysitting services or community cinemas.
Minister for Community Empowerment Marco Biagi met with Edinburgh and Midlothian Big Lunch organisers and their neighbours to officially open the new funding schemes on Friday.
He said: “Around 400,000 Scottish people – including me – took part in The Big Lunch last year, and I hope the Scottish Government’s funding boost of nearly £50,000 will make it possible for even more people to take part over the summer.
“We’re often guilty of not making enough time to get to know the people who live next door to us, never mind the ones who live down the street. The Big Lunch is a simple way to reconnect with our neighbours and is having a powerful impact on communities.
“From the people I’ve met who have attended Big Lunches in the past it’s clear to see the benefits of this annual event. People feel more involved their community, they have a stronger sense of community spirit and they feel less isolated.
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of empowering communities and giving them the confidence to shape their own futures. These grants will remove financial barriers and will make sure everyone has an opportunity to be involved in The Big Lunch.”
Feedback from the 2014 Big Lunch found that 97 per cent of people who took part would recommend the event to their friends, and 84 per cent said it made them feel better about their neighbourhood.
Emily Watts, Campaign Manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland, said: “We always say that you don’t need much money to hold a Big lunch when everyone brings something to the table and that is still true – but there are times when a small amount of help can mean the difference between your community getting involved and not.
“To be eligible you need to be able to tell us how you would use the grant to enable your community or street to take part, and what barriers it would help to overcome. For existing Big Lunch participants, you must be able to tell us how you will engage a new section of the community with the grant.”
More information and application forms can be found at: http://www.thebiglunch.com/partners/scotland-seed-fund.php
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