Tag Archives: Community engagement

The Big Lunch!

The Big Lunch 2014 Countdown – 50 days to go!

On April 12th, with just 50 days to go until the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours, The Big Lunch is urging everyone across Scotland to get involved in this year’s event on Sunday 1 June.

The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim of the Lottery-funded event, now in its sixth year, is to get as many people as possible to have lunch with their neighbours once a year.

Free packs can be requested online, they include posters, invitations, an inspiration booklet and other materials to help organise a Big Lunch, and get-together for a day of friendship, community and fun.

Michelle McManus, who has been a supporter of The Big Lunch since 2013, said: ‘The Big Lunch is a fantastic idea that is having a positive impact in communities across Scotland and I’d encourage anyone to get signed up and get organising.

‘I got the ball rolling in my street last year and held one for my neighbours.  We had a great day getting to know each other better. It makes a difference knowing who lives on your doorstep, you can make new friendships and look out for each other.’

Getting your own Big Lunch off the ground is simple and inexpensive, people are the key ingredient.

Organising a Big Lunch is easier than you think; all you need to do is follow a few simple steps:

  1. Settle on a venue, anywhere from a street to a garden or local community space
  2. If you’re planning a street party, don’t forget to apply to close your road (contact your local council for advice – see www.thebiglunch.com for advice)
  3. Invite your neighbours, with free invitations available in your Big Lunch pack
  4. Decide on who will bring what food, such as a bring-your-own picnic or a barbeque
  5. Arrange your decorations and music, bunting templates are also included in the pack.

The benefits of having a Big Lunch?  Research from The Big Lunch showed that over 60% of organisers say having an event in their community made them feel less isolated and 86% of the 3.65 million people that took part in last year’s Big Lunch reported a positive long term effect in their neighbourhood as a result.

Emily Watts, communications manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland said: ‘The Big Lunch is all about getting together and having fun. They can be big or small and don’t need to cost much because everyone brings something to the table.

‘It’s a great way to get neighbours talking, sharing conversation, skills, resources – and, of course, the key ingredient is food! It’s not too late to take part in this year’s event on 1 June so why not sign up now for your free pack and get your own event started.’

  • The Eden Project started The Big Lunch in 2009 with the belief that we’re better equipped to tackle the challenges we face when we face them together
  • The Big Lunch is led by the Eden Project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and supported by Halifax, Asda and Streetclub by B&Q. Find out more about The Big Lunch at www.thebiglunch.com
  • The aim is simply to bring as many people as possible together for lunch with their neighbours once a year and encourage the sharing of conversation, ideas, skills and resources
  • Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall is Patron of The Big Lunch
  • The Big Lunch takes place annually on the first Sunday in June, but events can be held on another day if it works better for the community

See how The Big Lunch comes to life

The Big Lunch Impact: Feeding Community Spirit

For further information contact:

Julie Gracie, Golley Slater, 0131 220 8787 / jgracie@golleyslater.co.uk

Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteering Awards: 2014

Nominations for the 2014 Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteering Awards are now open.

The annual awards ceremony is organised by Volunteer Centre Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Compact Partnership as part of Volunteers’ Week, the national celebration of volunteers and volunteering.  This event is hosted annually by the Lord Provost and City of Edinburgh Council.

The awards celebrate the accomplishments of volunteers, and the major economic and social benefits they provide as a result of their voluntary activities. This year the event will take place on Wednesday 4th June 2014 and is by invitation only. This is your opportunity to recognise the contribution of your volunteers by nominating them for an Award.

You can nominate your volunteers online through this Survey Monkey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6LBL3VW

Organisations can nominate up to three individual volunteers and one team. There is no guarantee that any of them will be invited to accept their award at the City Chambers because numbers are strictly limited. However all nominated volunteers will receive a certificate.

Eligibility criteria:

  • The Awards are only open to people volunteering in the City of Edinburgh.
  • There are no age restrictions.
  • Volunteers must have volunteered for at least six months with your organisation before being eligible to be nominated.
  • If they have previously received an “Inspiring Volunteering Certificate” at the City Chambers they should not be nominated again.
  • Only fully completed nominations will be considered for individuals or teams, and we will quote from these statements when presenting the awards.

All shortlisted nominations will be considered for the Lord Provost of Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award 2014.

A number of special recognition categories have been introduced to highlight some of the diverse areas of volunteering across the City of Edinburgh, including:

  • A Young Volunteer (aged between 11 and 25 years old)
  • Long Standing Contribution to Volunteering Award (an individual who has volunteered for 10 years or more, and has made an outstanding contribution)
  • Charity Shop Volunteer
  • Fundraising Volunteer
  • Trustee Volunteer
  • Health & Social Care Volunteer (volunteers engaged in health and social care, including support work, befriending or projects which reduce social isolation and help assist independent living)
  • Sports Volunteer (volunteers actively involved in supporting sports in their communities).
  • Environment & Conservation Volunteer (volunteers engaged in environmental activities including education, conservation or gardening).
  • Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer
  • Housing / Tenant volunteer ***NEW category for 2014 ***

Volunteers Week runs from the 1st – 7th June 2014. We encourage all volunteer involving organisations to organise their own recognition events during Volunteers’ Week, whether that be their own awards ceremony, coffee morning, lunch or social activity for their volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to do something to say thank you, and show your volunteers that they are valued and appreciated.

*** Nominations close on Monday 7th April 2014 at 6pm ***

For more information please contact:

Lara Celini, Public Services Manager, Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, 24 Torphichen Street (3rd Floor) Edinburgh EH3 8JB

Direct dial: 0131 225 0630

lara.celini@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

 

City Centre Partnership News e-bulletin: March 2014

This article is for interest only – City Centre NP area is adjacent to, and does not overlap with Leith NP area. Here is a map of NP areas.

Understanding our community

Thanks to everyone that came along to the Neighbourhood Partnership Meeting on 6 Feb, and contributed to the lively discussion about communities in the city centre.

The presentations and comments are now on the Neighbourhood Partnership website, and further Census 2011 information can be found on the City of Edinburgh Council’s website.

Your City Centre, Your Priorities

You’re the people that know the communities best – so please share that knowledge with us and inform the CCNP priorities for the next 3 years. This short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CityCentreLocalPlan1417 is the first step to finding out what’s important to you. We’ll then get out and about and talk to you to find out what improvements need to be made in each area.

Upcoming CCNP Meetings

Thursday 12 Jun 2014 @ 7pm
Thursday 13 Nov 2014 @ 7pm
Environment Forum – Tue 18 March 6pm (City Chambers)
Business Forum – Fri 4 April 10-11.30am (1 Cockburn Street)

Partnership News

The CCNP extends a warm welcome to Community Inspectors Alun Williams and Nic Page who will be representing Police Scotland on the Board.

The Old Town Community Council will be inviting nominations for new members from Monday 3 March to Monday 24 March. If an election is required it will be held on Thursday 24 April 2014. Further info here.

The third Royal Mile Spring Clean will take place on Tuesday 25 March 2014, and we’re keen to encourage groups, businesses and residents to get involved in this popular event, and build on the shared pride in the area.

Neighbourhood Environment Programme Update

Edinburgh World Heritage report on the joint project at High School Yard Steps.

Work has also begun at Thistle Lane and Heriot Bridge on NEP funded projects. Footway resurfacing at Abbey Street took place during the recent school half term holiday.

Funding Updates

A date for your diaries – the ever popular ‘Meet the Funders’ will take place on 1 May 2014 in the Assembly Rooms.

For further information, please contact:

Katie Swann
Partnership Development Officer
Tel: 0131 529 7492
Email: katie.swann@edinburgh.gov.uk

Your local web links

Neighbourhood Partnership website
City of Edinburgh Council
Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council
NHS Lothian
Edinburgh Community Councils
Police Scotland – Edinburgh Central

Leith Funding Panel: Community Grants Fund 2014-15

The first Leith Funding Panel Meeting for the 2014-15 financial year will now be held on Thursday, 8 May 2014.  This  is to enable sufficient time for Community Grants applications to be submitted for summer projects.  Community Grants applications should now be submitted no later than Thursday, 17 April 2014.

Applications can be downloaded from http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/leith/about/community-grants-leith/.  (Note:  The page has not been updated due to technical difficulties, but the application and guidelines can be downloaded)

Please direct any questions to:

Loraine Duckworth | Partnership Development Officer | Leith Neighbourhood Partnership | Services for Communities | Leith Library | 28-30 Ferry Road | Edinburgh EH6 4AE | Telephone: 0131 529 6194 | Mobile: 07739188437