NI applicants welcomed to Big Lunch Extras programme, Eden Project, Cornwall

Got a great idea and want to make it happen locally?
Our Big Lunch Extras programme  is open for applications and it could be perfect for you or someone you know!
It starts with a three-day camp at the Eden Project ‬in Cornwall.

Big Lunch Extras is a programme to help individuals across the UK create positive change within their communities. It starts with a three day residential camp and offers a mixture of practical activities, facilitated sessions and networking opportunities and is designed to bring an ecclectic mix of volunteers and community catalysts from across the Uk together to inspire and go on to support and share with each other to achieve their ambitions at a local level.

Camps are unique and are followed up with local and social media networking with those you connected with and with people who attended previous events.

The next camp will include:

Focussed workshops:Select from a menu of different themes to tailor your experience. These could include topics such as financing your project, spreading the word through social media, or how to rejuvenate a green space…

• Practical activities: Ranging from outdoor play to community art, this selection of taster sessions offer ideas on how to best engage with the people in your own neighbourhood.
• Networking: An opportunity to meet like-minded people, establish new useful connections and get a different perspective on things - whether it's through one of our workshops or over a cuppa.
• Practical resources: You’ll come away with a set of useful materials that will help support you once you’re back in your community.
• Social activities: There’ll be plenty of chances to enjoy a delicious meal and chat with others in the same boat. No Big Lunch Extras Camp would be complete without a party, so if you fancy a little boogie, Sunday night is your chance! During your free time you can also explore the Eden site in all its wonder.
• On-site accommodation: Many of our participants get the chance to stay in the innovative accommodation on our site – made from shipping containers – and all will have accommodation within 15 minutes of Eden.
• Delicious food: Nutritious meals will be provided during your residential stay - plus plenty of tea and cake - well we are home to The Big Lunch idea- it would be rude not to!

Here's a little taster of the exciting topics and sessions we shared in April:

• How to make things happen: Chris Hines, founder of Surfers Against Sewage and A Grain of Sand, gets you geared up for delivering change, with a fantastic session on how really big things can actually start out very small.
• Community celebrations: Artist and performer Sue Hill brings with her a wealth of inspirational stories about community engagement around the world – helping unlock your own creative thinking.
• Local field trip: Visit our friends at People & Gardens, a local Community Interest Community based at Eden’s plant nursery which helps people with disabilities grow through gardening.
• Tour of Eden: A guided tour around the magical site, allowing you to find out how we built this place – and take inspiration home to your own community.
• Your stories: Got something to share about your community? Here’s an opportunity to tell others in the room about it. Anyone is welcome to sign up for a five- minute slot to tell their story on the day.

This film will also give you a sense of what its all about.

How to get involved for the first time

If you think Big Lunch Extras sounds like your cup of tea, you can get involved by following these three steps:

1. Create an account – this gives you access to the Community Chat area to talk to others online, allows you to apply to get a funded place on our programme, and adds you to our newsletter mailing list.  
   
   
2. Apply to join the Big Lunch Extras programme – you'll be asked to complete a simple form to help us to ensure the programme is right for you, and to check that you're eligible for a funded place. If you're accepted on to the programme (you'll hear back by email within a few days) you will then be able to book on this event - or future events that are yet to be scheduled.
3. Once you receive an email to say you are accepted, log back into the website and select Join in and events and select the most relevant event. Scroll to the bottom and complete the brief application form which asks for your dietary, travel and accomodation needs.

Please Note: Big Lunch Extras is free of charge to participants thanks to funding from The Big Lottery. Application for places is always competitive. Should you not be selected for the April camp you will be placed on a waiting list and invited to participate in our Northern Ireland network.

If you have more questions and would like to have an informal conversation before applying.Please contact our local manager [email protected]
http://www.biglunchextras.com/events/april-2016-camp