Andy recognised for ‘community nourishment’ at recent Big Lunch

POPULAR Sion Mills community worker Andy Patton was recently in attendance at the Big Lunch in Belfast, representing the village and the north west.

The Big Lunch is an annual get-together for neighbours and communities where people congregate for a few hours of food, fun and friendship and to connect and encourage friendlier, safer communities for people to share ideas, skills, friendship and resources.

The Eden project, which is behind the Big Lunch, recently partnered with the 4 Corners Festival and Corrymeela in Belfast, hosting representatives from different communities all across the North. Special guests in attendance included Lord Mayor of Belfast Ryan Murphy, BBC broadcaster Claire McCollum and retired boxer Paddy Barnes.

Andy Patton hailed the launch for the 2024 Big Lunch as ‘fantastic’, remarking, “I’ve been holding Big Lunches, both indoors and outdoors since 2012. Sometimes we get 100, other times we have 15 people or so. What’s been fantastic about this launch in Belfast is hearing about the many ways you can take part. Big or small, the main thing is bringing all generations together – it leads to greater cooperation and kick starts all sorts of projects, it’s holistic helping people to feel less lonely, giving them a greater sense of belonging.”

Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy said that creating a sense of community and belonging is ‘the most important thing we can do, adding, “It’s in our nature to focus on negatives, but The Big Lunch is so simple and all about the positive things we can do. Initiatives like these rarely get the recognition they deserve.”