Nurseries encouraged to take part in the annual Big Lunch

This year, The Big Lunch is encouraging the nation to join in throughout a Month of Community – to reconnect and to support great causes– from 5 June through to Thank You Day on 4 July.
Thank You Day, on 4 July, has been proposed as a national moment to pause, when people across the UK are being invited to say thank you to each other for a tough year. It’s a chance to get together with neighbours, communities and families, to mark what has happened and say thank you.

Big Lunch Ambassador Ainsley Harriott is encouraging everyone have a socially-safe Big Lunch on the first ever national Thank You Day.

Ideas for nurseries include reading stories together and encouraging children to bring along their favourite teddy or toy to a picnic. 

Families can get involved by decorating individual paper triangles that form a colourful string of bunting that is hung up outdoors on the day.

Dale Cranshaw, head of the Soil Association’s Food for Life Get Togethers, which is supporting the programme, said, ‘We’re thrilled to be supporting The Big Lunch and their aim to bring millions of people together to make new connections and share friendship across all backgrounds.

‘This year, we’re encouraging early years settings across the country to hold their own Big Lunch  - whether it’s sharing a picnic using produce from the nursery garden, or encouraging everyone to bring in something they’ve prepared at home, there’s lots of ways to get involved.’

Many events are going digital this year. Dunstable Town Council will deliver lunch to 60 elderly residents who will tune in on Zoom.

Peter Stewart MVO, executive director of the Eden Project, said, ‘We’ve spent a long time apart and that’s been tough for everyone... The idea is simple; if people can spend time together, they start talking, and we see stronger, friendlier communities emerging in which people start to share things, from conversation and ideas to skills and resources. Even little people and their families can join in, sharing stories and fun together.

‘On average six million people each year take part in The Big Lunch each year and most say they feel closer to their neighbours as a result, with more than two thirds planning to hold other events in their community afterwards, proving it is not just about one day, it’s about what happens before and after the event too.’

• For further information or to request a free Big Lunch pack containing advice on how to hold a Big Lunch safely, invitations, posters and other materials to help organise your event, visit the website www.thebiglunch.com and https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/blog/top-tips-for-a-safe-big-lunch