Bringing local communities together for a Big Lunch

Residents across the borough are once again being given the chance to bring their neighbours together as part of the national Big Lunch initiative.

The Housing Services’ Resident Participation Team are offering those living in Hackney Council homes the chance to apply for grants to celebrate the initiative aimed at bringing local communities together to share friendship, food and fun.

This year the Big Lunch is being held over the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June. In previous years groups have organised events including face painting and international dishes that residents have produced and provided on the day. 

People can apply for up to £750 to hold an inclusive and accessible event which benefits all local residents. Applications for funding need to be made by Wednesday 30 April. 

They must be made from a home managed by Hackney Council. Groups also need to have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place and carry out a risk assessment for the event or activity.

Applications for street closures to support events should be made at least four weeks before the planned event.  There is usually no problem in obtaining  permission to close quiet residential streets, but the Council is likely to refuse permission to close major routes (classed A and B roads), bus routes, or one-way streets where it thinks doing so will cause too much disruption to  surrounding traffic or impede emergency vehicles.

Bringing neighbours together though initiatives like the Big Lunch is a great way of forging stronger local communities and celebrating Hackney’s diversity

We have a long record of helping those living in our homes take part in these initiatives and I am delighted that we are able to do that again this year. 

While the events themselves may only be for a short while they can help forge lifelong friendship and connections.

Cllr Clayeon McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Resident Participation

The Resident Participation Team can also provide support to anyone looking to host an event to mark VE Day on Thursday 8 May. While there are no grants specifically available for these events the team can advise people living in Hackney Council homes looking to host one.

For more information and to apply for a street party and arrange a street closure see https://hackney.gov.uk/street-party

Information on how to apply and the range of other funding available through the Council to help communities come together can be found at https://hackney.gov.uk/housing-funding-streams

The Council’s Housing Services Resident Participation Team can support groups in the planning of activities and identifying suppliers for their Big Lunch events. They can be contacted on 020 8356 7845 or by emailing get.involved@hackney.gov.uk

You can request a Big Lunch pack from https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch

Arranging Street Parties and applying for road closures

There are a few criteria that street parties need to follow including that

• fewer than 200 guests invited;
• all guests must be associated with the immediate area;
• no alcohol will be on sale (it is okay to serve alcohol free of charge);
• no formal entertainment (entertainment such as music from a stereo is okay as long as you do not disturb others in the community);
• no tickets are sold for the event;
• no food or other merchandise will be on sale (but it is fine to bring food to share with your neighbours);
• no temporary structures (e.g. stages or marquees) are set up.