Community stories
Everyone is part of a community and we want to share their stories.
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…
How volunteers keep their community nourished at Wigton Food Pantry
June 3, 2021
Diane Blackburn is a volunteer at Wigton Food Pantry, a food project and charity that has inspired a group of local people to keep…
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.…
How ‘the Eden effect’ changed our community forever
April 21, 2021
Herbalist Maria Billington got the impetus to take on a community space from the council after attending a Community Camp at the Eden Project.…
Building healthy, harmonious communities with The Big Lunar Lunch
October 28, 2019
In 2018, the trustees of the Welsh Muslim Cultural Foundation in Cardiff decided to share their culture with the wider community to showcase what…
My Festive Open House
December 31, 2018
Lindsey, our Programme Director, is on the road so much she doesn't often have time to meet or speak to her neighbours. In Christmas…
Learn with Grandma: a project to close the digital age gap
September 29, 2017
Valerie Wood-Gaiger is a 76-year-old great granny living in the Welsh hills. Like many people, she likes to make the most of her older…
How I organised my first Big Lunch
March 30, 2017
Big Lunches are great fun but we know taking the first steps toward organising one can be a little daunting: even our own team…