What we do
Our work is all about bringing people together, with the aim to create happier and healthier communities, where people know one another and neighbourhoods thrive. We connect people through our events, experiences and networks, encouraging everyday people to make positive change where they live.
The challenges our society and planet face will demand the best from all of us and the ability to work together. Through small and simple actions like The Big Lunch, people are transforming the places they live and strengthening their communities: ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
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The Big Lunch
We started with a very simple idea from the Eden Project. What if, on one day a year, people came together with their communities and shared a meal?
And so, in 2009, The Big Lunch was born. Taking place on the first weekend of June each year, it’s the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours, with millions of people coming together for a few hours of community, friendship, and fun.
The Big Lunch connects people and encourages friendlier, safer neighbourhoods where people start to share more – from conversations and ideas, to skills and resources, and, for some, it ignites a passion for doing more good things where they live.
Community Camp Programme
We run our Community Camp Programme online and at the Eden Project, including our online Introduction to Community Action course. It’s jam-packed with workshops, inspirational talks, networking and fun and aimed at anyone interested in making a difference in their community.
Our programme supports and encourages people to create positive change where they live, and through our community network our team support over 1,500 people who are delivering community-led projects across the UK.
The Network
We believe that the more connected we are, the more we can do, together.
Whether you run a community project, or you’ve just got an idea you want to take forward, you can join our network and connect with like-minded folk who can help you achieve your community goals. We’ve got a brilliant team of Community Network Developers who are there to give you advice, put you in touch with other helpful partners and support you every step of the way.
You can also join our free online workshop series exploring all sorts of ideas and opportunities to help you on your way.
Community Action Response
The Community Action Response is led by a group of organisations from different sectors with the joint aim to encourage everyone to do what they can to support their communities, and particularly vulnerable and isolated people, during the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.
It was created because of the unprecedented challenge that Covid-19 presents for people in every neighbourhood in the UK. Together, we called for everyone to take steps that will help communities cope through the worst of this virus.
Did you know we’re a charity?
We rely on funding to keep our annual programme of courses, events, and The Big Lunch free and accessible to all.
A gift from you, no matter how small, helps us support the amazing people transforming their communities.
Discover our work
Our research
We undertake research to understand what’s happening in our communities, to highlight…
The Big Lunch
Join millions to share friendship, food and fun!
The Network
The network is a community of like-minded individuals across the UK
Community Camp programme
Kickstart your community action journey