Saying cheers to volunteers with a Big Lunch
In 2024, Emma from the Love Barrow Libraries project organised her first Big Lunch to thank their incredible volunteers!
Held at Walney Library during Volunteers Week, the event brought the whole Barrow community together. There was something for everyone to enjoy, including food, giant games, crafts, a silent disco and Makaton choir. Each volunteer was presented with a special certificate of recognition too for the contributions they’ve made to the library’s community!
Bringing people together with The Big Lunch was a great way to showcase the volunteers’ amazing work. Celebrating everything the project has achieved so far.
“I was looking for something that would act as a celebration and way of marking Volunteers Week and came across The Big Lunch. I loved the sound of it and got organising! The hard work paid off and we had an amazing day!”
Emma, Love Barrow Libraries
Love Barrow Libraries
The Love Barrow Libraries project aims to reduce loneliness and isolation in the local area by providing opportunities to volunteer at the library’s regular groups and events.
When the project first launched in 2023, Emma spent time undertaking outreach activity to attract volunteers to the library. Word began to spread and these days, Emma coordinates a team of 17 volunteers across three local libraries.
Love Barrow Libraries is funded by Know your Neighbourhood and is part of a larger scheme run in 10 places across the UK focused on increasing social access and connection through volunteering. Helping those involved feel a stronger sense of purpose whilst growing links with their community.
In an area with high deprivation and low mental health, the project has helped the libraries become the heart of the Barrow community.
“There’s a lot of need for community spaces like this, where you don’t need to spend money. It’s not work or home, but it’s open and free and people can just be peaceful. And it’s not just older people – so many young people come into the library to use it to study. It’s a safe place for everyone.”
Emma, Love Barrow Libraries
Bringing Barrow together
Volunteers help run regular activities like the Friendship Café. A welcoming space where anyone can pop in for a chat, craft, listen to a talk or enjoy a cup of tea and some biscuits. They also support the Data Bank – a regular drop-in helping people with technology.
The library’s English Café places volunteers in a leadership role supporting non-native speakers take part in casual conversation practice in a relaxed environment. These sessions have been particularly popular with Barrow’s large refugee community. Who spend time both attending and volunteering at the English Café to help settle into their new area.
Keen for volunteers to establish a sense of ownership over their library, Emma has also supported the creation of some new groups. Including a Writer’s Group founded by one of the volunteers.
Ranging from older people looking for company to younger people keen to give back to their communities, Emma has seen the project boost the confidence of the volunteers involved!
“Libraries sometimes have an image of being stuffy places where people must be quiet and can’t have fun, but they’re actually spirited community spaces that are open to everyone – whether people want to read, learn, or spend time together. There’s an amazing array of things going on.”
Emma, Love Barrow Libraries
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