
Community stories
Everyone is part of a community and we want to share their stories.

Celebrating communities at the Big Jubilee Lunch
January 18, 2022
Sonia Hearld’s community journey started in 2009 when she and her neighbours joined forces to campaign against increasing volumes and speed of traffic through…

Community spirit in bloom
November 2, 2021
After being unable to socialise with her neighbours due to the pandemic, Lauren brought her community together for their very first Big Lunch!

Building a community from scratch
October 4, 2021
When Claire from Birmingham moved to a newly built estate in 2017, she was keen to build connections with other families in the area.…

Saying thank you with a Big Lunch
September 9, 2021
In 2021, a very special Big Lunch took place in Chiswick to thank volunteers at the ‘Fight Hunger Feed Hope’ Food Bank.

Creating a flourishing community
August 17, 2021
When mum of two Helen Alves noticed a lack of activities in her area for young families during lockdown, she decided to take action and start her own initiative…

A tale of re-connection at Community Camp
July 30, 2021
Community Camp is all about making connections: bringing like-minded people from across the UK together to be inspire, educate, and share with one another.

Neighbours – for the good times and the sad
March 27, 2023
A tribute to three much loved residents. Written by Emma Parsons-Reid Back in 2004, my husband Kevin and I moved to a little cul…

Wigton Food Pantry Big Lunch for the community
June 3, 2021
The pandemic highlighted difficulties in Wigton and its surrounding area. There was a need to fight hunger, bring the community together, and encourage better…

We’re transforming neglected areas into community spaces
April 21, 2021
Grow N22 is a community project in North London which transforms unlikely, disused and neglected spaces across Haringey into vibrant community gardens and growing…

Carlisle Council
April 21, 2021
Carlisle, the 'urban capital' of the County of Cumbria in NW England, has a council which has been supportive of The Big Lunch since…
How we brought isolated people together — with coffee and a caravan!
April 21, 2021
Ann Osborn is the Director of the Rural Coffee Caravan in Suffolk. The mobile community cafe and information centre helps to alleviate isolation in…

How tragedy inspired Laura to bring her community together with a Big Lunch
April 21, 2021
Laura has lived on Spencer Road, Northampton, for years, but like many in the UK, she’s never really known her neighbours - until recently.…