Big Lunch date for Ballymena Community Groups

VOLUNTEER Now and The Big Lunch are extending a lunch invitation to community organisations in the borough to hear about and share ideas on this year’s Volunteers’ Week and the Big Lunch on March 29 in the Braid.

The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project, it is funded by The Big Lottery fund and sponsored by Mastercard and Kingsmill.

The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. Having a Big Lunch can be a way to encourage community values and connect people locally.

This week’s event at The Braid, which will run from 12-2pm promises to be a great get together for organisations and individuals interested in finding out more, celebrating and encouraging volunteering and enhancing their local communities.

Grainne McCloskey said: “The Big Lunch encourages people across the UK to get together in their local communities for a few hours of conversation, friendship and fun and it’s happening on Sunday, June 3, during the 28th annual Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7) so why not get a free pack from our website and celebrate your `local heroes’, encourage more volunteering in your area and even start good local conversations about Time Banking.”

Wendy Osborne OBE, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now said, “Volunteer Now is delighted to support The Big Lunch. We believe it recognises and promotes volunteering by enabling neighbours and local communities to come together through a simple act of community, friendship and fun. Community spirit is at the heart of volunteering and our work which is about connecting with individuals and organisations to build healthy communities and creative positive change.”

Booking is essential. Please contact Claire McLoughlin by 15 March on 028 9020 0866 or email [email protected]

You can find out more about FREE resources for celebrating Volunteers’ Week and The Big Lunch visit www.volunteernow.co.uk