“I have learned so much from this experience. It has been a real privilege to be welcomed into various communities and invited to see what they do to create connections or make stronger ones. The whole trip has widened my understanding of community spirit and made me discover projects I wasn’t familiar with, like urban community gardens for instance.”
Zakia Moulaoui (32) was speaking at the end of an epic journey visiting towns, cities and places from Edinburgh to Orkney (and back again). She is one of the walkers who has led Team Scotland of the Eden Project’s Big Lunch Community Walk. They joined teams in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on a 17 day mission to shine a light on amazing people who are bringing people together at the heart of their communities.
Zakia Moulaoui is the founder of Invisible Cities, a Scottish social enterprise that trains local people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own cities. She was joined for the walk by Derek Harper (55) from Brechin, who has had a varied career but says that volunteering in his community transformed his life.
They set off from Edinburgh on the 17th May and visited 34 different community projects in Shotts, Dunfermline, Dundee, Blairgowrie, Findhorn, Forres, Inverness, Brora, Thurso, Orkney, Aberdeen, Fettercairn and Brechin.
The walkers return to their homes in Brechin and Edinburgh this weekend in time to host a Big Lunch to bring their own communities togther. Zakia’s Big Lunch takes place at Montgomery Street Park this afternoon from 1 – 3pm.
An idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the National Lottery, The Big Lunch sees over six million people each year take to their streets, gardens and neighbourhoods to join in for a few hours of community, friendship and fun on 1 and 2 June. In 2019, the number of Big Lunches taking place in Scotland has doubled compared to 2018.
Their journey began in Edinburgh with a visit to the National Lottery funded Edinburgh Garden Partners project which pairs up people with gardens that may not be able to look after them with volunteers interested in gardening but without gardens themselves.
Edinburgh Garden Partners hosted their own Big Lunch at the Botanic Gardens yesterday.
For the final day of their journey, the walkers visited Brechin where Derek’s Big Lunch and homecoming was held at the Brechin Rugby Club. The walkers had a chance to hear about their plans for creating a clubhouse that will be used as a community space. They also met the club’s oldest player, 90 year-old Alastair (from Edinburgh) as well one of the youngest – Evan aged four.
Other inspiring projects they have visited include the Tayside Mountain Rescue in Blairgowrie (above), whose volunteers carry out vital, life saving work; the Scottish Highlands and Islands Chinese Association who have an eco cafe and community garden that connect through their ‘seed-
Speaking about his experiences, fellow walker Derek Harper (above) said: “Visiting communities across Scotland has confirmed my hunch that to have sustainable, resilient communities it’s local folk who provide the social glue, local knowledge and passion to tackle the thorny issues.”
Eden Project Communities Scotland Manager, Sandra Brown said: “Derek and Zakia took to the highways and byways of Scotland to learn about – and learn from – the amazing people and organisations at the heart of so much of the really important work that goes on in communities all over Scotland. It’s been wonderful to see them share what one community is doing with another community that could benefit from those ideas.”
Comedian, Presenter and Big Lunch Ambassador Jo Brand said: “Links with community are vital in unsettling times.
“When the country feels so divided and disconnected, it seems more important than ever to come together and remember the importance of community spirit.”
Martin Cawley, Director for Scotland at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “When people get together amazing things can happen and communities are able to thrive.
“The Big Lunch is about fun, food and friendship, but what we know is that the connections made are the building blocks for friendlier, safer and stronger communities. This is why we are using National Lottery funding to support this initiative and we hope that more people than ever will be involved in a Big Lunch this year.”
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