Women who lead
Amid plans for Coronation parties, we meet four women who found ways to bring neighbours together in good times and bad
When people are better connected, they’re better able to deal with whatever is happening around them, whether that’s in their lives or in wider society. That’s why I think The Big Lunch is such a gem. It does so much for people. Every summer, we encourage communities all over the country to have a get-together. Anything from a small gathering in a garden with neighbours to an entire street party with bakes and bunting. It’s a simple idea, but we’ve found that by bringing people together, it creates fertile ground for more positive things to happen.
The Big Lunch was started by the Eden Project in 2009 and grew rapidly following Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, when parties were held in streets up and down the country.
As programme director, I lead the project and my days are varied. One day, I’ll be in meetings with the Buckingham Palace team discussing our campaign for The King’s Coronation; the next, I’ll be making play dough for workshops at the Eden Project.
I worked in the corporate world for several years. I enjoyed the challenge, but I eventually decided I’d rather do something more purposeful. When I saw a vacancy at the Eden Project in 2010, it just felt right.
I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring and I was delighted when I got the job.
On the outside, The Big Lunch looks like a fun, annual street party, but it’s so much more than that because coming together and sharing food helps people get to know each other and makes our society stronger. We saw how communities that took part were going on to do so much more together, whether that was starting a babysitting circle or fundraising for local causes.
One lady, who runs a community centre in Norfolk, saw such a successful outcome from her first Big Lunch that she began hosting a free dinner for locals every Thursday. It’s become a vital source of food, warmth and connection for people.
It’s been fabulous working with The Queen Consort, who became our patron in 2013.
