Free Community Bootcamp at the Eden Project

Nearly 5 million people took part in Big Lunch 2014 with many, many positive outcomes, participants feeling better about where they live and 91% saying their event had a positive impact on the community. 

One of the significant findings of the independant research over the years though, is that the majority of people that take part go on to do more in their community; going to other events, and taking part in local groups, activities and sports clubs.

Recognising The Big Lunch’s power as a catalyst, the Big Lottery Fund and Halifax have supported the Eden Project to start a second initiative – a three year training programme called Big Lunch Extras which commenced in 2013. 

Big Lunch Extras is for anyone that wants to create positive change in their area.  It’s about helping people tackle the issues that matter most by supporting them to develop and deliver a community project.

It starts with a free three-day residential training event at the Eden Project in Cornwall and a typical ‘camp’ will involve a mixture of inspirational speakers, workshops, tours and networking opportunities.  taking part in a camp is far from a holiday its an intensive experience but also lots of fun. Whether its making seed bombs as a way to prompt conversation on improving the look of your locality or engaging in a Street Art session – looking at how you can use art as a powerful tool – for both community engagement and promoting events and projects you are involved in, there is no doubt you will be mucking in and getting your hands dirty.  After the camp, the Big Lunch Extras team run follow-up sessions across the UK and link each participant with a ‘Catalyst’ to keep in touch with to support your idea development.

Ursula and Louise from Strabane Community Project and Food bank attended the camp in July they said "it truly was both a magical and inspiring experience, bringing people together to share learning and ideas who wouldn’t otherwise speak to each other. You’ve got to see it to believe it!” 

Big Lunch Extras is for people working in a voluntary rather than professional capacity in their community, supporting the growing notion that ‘ordinary’ people have the power to affect change in our localities. 

A recent report published by the innovation charity NESTA, values the volunteering efforts of people across the UK at a massive £34billion a year – and programmes like Big Lunch Extras play an important part in skilling up our volunteers and nurturing the energy of those wanting to make positive step change in our communities.

900 people will take part in the three-year programme and places are filling up fast. The remaining camps will take place between now and August 2015.  Visit www.biglunchextras.com to find out more and apply or connect on facebook to talk to other participants.