People in Stonehouse, Plymouth are set to come together to make new connections and find out more about the inspiring projects on their doorsteps at a special activity packed event including a mini-Big Lunch organised by the Eden Project this Saturday 20 April.
Local social enterprise Leadworks is working with the eco-charity on the upcoming event, which invites community-minded people to connect with each other and nature. The interactive afternoon forms part of Eden’s flagship Big Lunch campaign, all about encouraging people to share friendship, food and fun where they live. This year, organisers are calling on the nation to make 1-2 June the greenest Big Lunch yet, with resources and tips for planet-friendly cooking and activities on offer.
READ MORE ABOUT: Community Interest Companies In Plymouth
As well as offering opportunities to network and share ideas, Plymouth’s event will shine a light on impactful projects already making a difference locally and provide practical workshops and plenty of creative ideas for injecting community spirit where you live.
The free event will take place at Leadworks Projects CIC in Stonehouse, a former lead paint warehouse now reimagined as a creative space for grassroots and community organisations. Guests are invited to hear from guest speaker Ross Birchall, who is part of Nudge, a group set up by local residents advocating for community ownership in a bid to strengthen the local economy and boost community spirit.
RELATED STONEHOUSE PLYMOUTH NEWS
Also on the agenda is a creative workshop run by the Mindful Art Club, run by artists Peggy Melmoth and Emma Sprawson. The pair offer sessions giving people the opportunity to share their feelings, create art and practice mindfulness. At this session, the art club will work with guests to create nature-inspired bunting using excess fabric and upcycled and foraged materials.
RELATED PLYMOUTH NEWS
Guests can also join in with a ‘walk and talk’ activity hosted by Eden Project Communities, which will see the group share stories during a guided walk around Leadworks, focused around a search for nature in an urban environment and learning from its resilience. Topping off the day will be a mini Big Lunch courtesy of social enterprise Café Abundance, with attendees sharing locally sourced food and getting to know each other better.
The inspiring afternoon is part of a series of nationwide community-focused events stretching across all four corners of the UK, from Argyll in Scotland to Birmingham, Rhyll, Camden, Hastings and Portadown, Northern Ireland, with many more stops along the way! Aiming to showcase simple and fun ways to bring people together, the roadshow hopes to encourage more people to become changemakers, with an exciting opportunity for people UK wide to come together and get something positive started in their communities on The Big Lunch weekend on 1 and 2 June.
Annabel Wills, Community Network Developer at Eden Project Communities, said:
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our passion for community connection to Plymouth. With some wonderful projects already in place, we hope more local people will be inspired to chat to their neighbours, volunteer where they live or embark on their own community activity. Whether you have a burning idea for a project, or you fancy organising a Big Lunch on your street and seeing what comes from it, we hope all our guests leave feel motivated to make a difference in their neighbourhood!”
Speaking at the event is Ross Birchall, who is a member of Nudge, a community benefit society set up in response to an excess of empty buildings on Stonehouse’s formerly thriving Union Street. Established in 2017, the group have since ‘unlocked’ 25% of the empty buildings on the street, offering them to local people who have set up independent businesses including community hub The Plot, The Clipper market and café, and flexible activity space Union Corner. Ross is currently working with Nudge to launch an urban farm at C103, a derelict building currently being rejuvenated by the social enterprise.
Ross Birchall said:
“At Nudge, we’re passionate about the power of ordinary people to effect positive change where they live. I’m so looking forward to sharing our story with other community-minded people at this fantastic event, which I hope will encourage even more people in Plymouth to start making a change.”
The Big Lunch is the annual nationwide celebration for neighbours and communities, with millions taking part each year. Organisers at the Eden Project say it’s the ideal way to boost community connection and kick-start exciting new local projects. In fact, impact research from 2023 highlights that 75% of people who took part said they felt a stronger sense of community spirit, with 71% agreeing that The Big Lunch encouraged people to plan improvements in the community.
Places are limited and booking is required. To book your place visit: https://events.more-human.co.uk/event/reconnect-rediscover-and-recreate—with-eden-project-communities-events
