The Big Lunch has become the UK’s largest community-led fundraiser and neighbourhood get-together.
It’s a lot of fun for participants, but it’s also more than just lunch: 14.1 million people took part in the Coronation Big Lunch and The Big Lunch; 10.7 million people said it made them feel they belong more in their community; and more than £14 million was raised for local charities and good causes.
A record number of councils supported the campaigns, including Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, which boosted community connection by transforming ordinary public benches into interactive hubs where people can chat, make friends and learn about local support networks. Dudley was inspired to introduce the benches for comedian John Bishop’s ‘Say Hello’ initiative. Part of our annual ‘Month of Community’, Say Hello is about encouraging people to make new connections and it provided the perfect vehicle for the council to highlight Loneliness Awareness Week.
Cllr Ian Bevan, Dudley’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “We all need to take steps to combat loneliness and build good relationships with neighbours. The Say Hello benches are a chance for people to take five minutes and have a friendly chat with someone they might not normally meet.”
Building on the success of last year’s first Big Lunch at Christmas, developed in partnership with Newham Council, we’re now getting ready to launch a new ‘Winter Warmers’ campaign. This will provide communities with a menu of activity ideas, from simply sharing a mince pie with a neighbour, to Advent windows, festive Big Lunches and winter walking trails.
Councils can use the campaign to help tackle loneliness and support communities during winter and the cost-of-living crisis.
Wigan Council promoted the first Big Lunch at Christmas to its voluntary and community sector organisations, and will be encouraging its network of Warm, Welcoming Spaces – part of the authority’s cost-of-living campaign Here for You – to invite residents in to connect over a mince pie or something to eat as part of Winter Warmers.
- Register your interest in Winter Warmers, and arrange a short call with Kate Groves to discuss your involvement by emailing [email protected]