Guest blog: Building community connections through The Big Lunch
6th November 2025
To celebrate Befriending Week, Grainne McCloskey from Eden Project Communities shares stories of connection from The Big Lunch, the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours and communities.
I work with Eden Project in Scotland and Northern Ireland and as part of my work over the last 13 years I’m proud to have supported hundreds of ordinary folk to bring their neighbours and local communities together as part of The Big Lunch. Their impact has been huge, with many going on to do more where they live including setting up groups and creating shared spaces such as alleyway gardens.
When friendly people take time to organise a Big Lunch whether it’s on their streets, in their kitchens or even up the alleyway the results can be profound. At that very local level friendships are just waiting to bloom. If you are someone who finds it hard to go out to things, this is right on your doorstep so it really brings everyone in. It is really very hard to know the impact you make when you bring your neighbours together for a bite to eat, but you can be sure a few of them really needed it and just wouldn’t say.
Even confident bubbly characters can often be in need of an opportunity to connect and in this busy world of hybrid working, it isn’t just those who live alone or the elderly who can feel lonely. Neighbourhood relationships need nurturing so that we can do more to help each other out.
I love hearing all the things that happen at The Big Lunches. Everyone gets something good from it, whatever age you are, so I’d encourage you to check us out and give it a go in 2026.
Jo’s story
Jo Boal is based in Belfast. She and I have become great friends over the years. It took Jo a few years to get the confidence to host a Big Lunch and she’s been doing them with gusto ever since.
She’s a self-confessed feeder and rarely turns up anywhere without something gorgeous she’s rustled up that morning. So when neighbours moved into the street and had a wee baby, Jo delivered healthy meals to make life easier while they settled into parenthood.
I’m always happy to take time to talk to people who are interested in The Big Lunch but are unsure, because I know the difference they will be making when they get going. You only have to look at Jo to see that.
John’s story
John Duffy from Shotts in Lanarkshire has been organising Big Lunches for more than a decade.
At 86 years old, John knows only too well what it can feel like to face isolation and has become somewhat of a community activist in the local area, organising events for neighbours in his retirement complex.
After the passing of his wife, John attended an Eden Project Community Action Course to learn more about how to make a difference and decided to organise his very first Big Lunch.
John, a retired district nursing officer, said:
“We moved into sheltered housing when my wife became ill and after she died I was on my own so decided to do more to help people in a similar situation come together and make new connections.
“After my course with Eden Project I organised our first Big Lunch for all the neighbours. It’s been very successful over the years and I do think bringing people together is very important and can help with reducing loneliness. I enjoy meeting new people and helping them integrate too as well as putting something back into the community.”
John, vice chairman of the residents association, is a popular figure in the community and is well known for organising lots of events, not just Big Lunches.
In 2025 John organised his 12th Big Lunch for people living in the Mornay Way retirement complex in the small town of Shotts, which sits halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. More than 20 people came together to enjoy fellowship with a spread from a local bakers and a lovely big cake!
Eden Project is proud to be supporting Befriending Week and we are grateful to all the befrienders who make our communities happier, healthier places to live.
This blog is part of Befriending Week (1 – 7 November), the annual campaign to raise awareness about befriending and celebrate social connection. Find out more on our Befriending Week microsite.