The annual event, created by the Eden Project, sees communities come together to enjoy food and conversation
Communities across Scotland got together at the weekend to connect over lunch.
A nationwide celebration of togetherness, The Big Lunch is the UK’s largest annual get-together for neighbours, an idea from the Eden Project made possible by the National Lottery.
Hundreds of people took part in the Big Lunch across the length and breadth of Scotland, sharing a few hours of friendship, food and fun with their neighbours and strengthening community bonds.
The idea is simple; everyone is invited to bring something to the table, feeding community spirit, providing the perfect recipe to have fun with the people they live alongside.
This year, the Big Lunch coincided with the start of Volunteers’ Week, and some Big Lunchers made that the focus of their events by putting volunteers at the heart of their events.
Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) hosted an event attended by 100 people, with guests enjoying games and fun.
Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA), alongside Friends of Newton Park, put on its first Big Lunch on Saturday (2 June). The group invited the local community to pack a picnic and join them for a get-together in the park.
In Edinburgh, Cyrenians hosted a Big Lunch at the charity’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital Gardens – whilst in Stirling the Macrobert Arts Centre held an afternoon of conversation, stories and cake.
Sandra Brown, Scotland manager for Eden Project communities, said: “The Big Lunch is all about showing what can be achieved when folk get together with those around them.
“Whether it’s getting neighbours together for the first time or an established group opening its doors to the wider community, holding a Big Lunch (however small it actually is) can really transform communities into places where people feel happy, connected and empowered.”
Hidden groups put on a spectacle
One of the numerous Big Lunch events taking place in Scotland at the weekend aimed to uncover the hidden organisations of Edinburgh.
Hosted by charity Scottish Love in Action (SLA), the lunch was held at the Greyfriars Charteris Centre, which hosts regular events for more than 25 community groups.
Guests were invited to enjoy a feast of a lunch, and hear from small groups that they may not have previously have come across.
“In April we attended the Commonwealth Big Lunch, which we were invited to as we are an international charity,” said SLA chief executive Michelle Davitt.
“We really enjoyed it and thought we could host our own Big Lunch. Someone had mentioned to me recently that they thought SLA was a hidden charity, they hadn’t heard of us but when they did really like what we were doing.
“This led us to think that it would be good to use our event to feature groups that maybe people haven’t heard of.”
Six representatives from charities and social enterprises were given three minutes to tell the room about their organisation whilst guests enjoyed refreshments.
Brian Martin, of T:UK Grow Your Own, spoke of his journey from working for Edinburgh City Council to setting up an employability project to help people who can’t find work.
“In work poverty affects a significant demographic,” he said. “If people are no longer identified as being in their youth, they can get stuck in low pay, no pay cycles. I am looking to target these people, help them highlight and build their skills.”
Helen Brown introduced Artsquat, a new charity which aims to help artists to utilise community space to showcase their work, whilst Colin Campbell gave information on Assist Social Capital, which helps smaller charities undertake social impact reports at low cost.
Ken Campbell discussed Yes Tanzania, which was created around the ethos that sport can help change the world.
“This is what our charity is all about,” he said. “It is giving young people the opportunity to learn, develop, be educated and pick up life skills through sport.”
Dan Rous examined work that has been ongoing to improve the Greyfriars Charteris Centre, whilst Lily Asch gave details of Real Talk, a mental health storytelling organisation.
Following the presentations, guests were encouraged to make sure that all the food provided didn’t go to waste and have a chat with everyone who came along to the event.
