The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out

The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out teamed up on 5-8 June for a weekend of friendship, food, fun and action!

Millions of people joined in with the UK’s biggest celebration of community – making new connections, lending a hand and having fun.

There’s still time to hold your own do and our free resources are still available – why not join in as part of the Month of Community?

What will you do?

Two amazing community initiatives, one big do

A woman stands with a tray of cakes smiling. There's a street party and bunting visible in the background.

The Big Lunch

Running annually since 2009, The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual get together for neighbours and communities when millions of people come together to share friendship, food and fun on the first weekend in June. Over 10 million people took part in 2025 alone!

A group of people hold litter pickers aloft on the beach

The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out started in 2023, encouraging people to have a go at volunteering, lend a hand and make a difference. Millions of people took part in 2023 and again in 2024, as charities offered simple opportunities for people to find out more and see what volunteering was all about.

A woman taking a cake from a plate. There's bunting and people smiling around her

So, what will you do?

The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out are coming together for one big weekend of friendship, food, fun and action on 5-8 June 2026.

What's happening near you?

Eden Project volunteer holding a trowel and wearing a bright orange t-shirt

Volunteer taster sessions at the Eden Project

Join us at the Eden Project for a special volunteering taster session as part of The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out, running from 5–8 June. Lend a hand tracking pollinators, building homes for insects and supporting nature-friendly projects.

And as a thank you, you’ll get free entry to the Eden Project for the day, plus a free Big Lunch to enjoy together.

Find out more

Search our event map

Look for Big Lunch and Big Help Out events happening near you on our map

Browse the map

Browse GoVo for volunteering opportunities

Want to find something to do near you? Search GoVo to find ways to lend a hand and support great causes where you live – there’s something for everyone! Enter your postcode or what you’re interested in below.

Search volunteering opportunities

Plan your own do

Big or small, what you do is up to you…whether that’s a cuppa with neighbours, a party for your street, a litter pick, or having a friendly chat at a care home – we can all do something!

If you’re keen to get cracking, browse our ideas and resources to help make your do a reality. We’ve got everything you need to get started!

Plan your do

Lindsey Brummitt, Eden Project Programme Director

“ “We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out together this year! There’s no better opportunity to get to know new people, support some amazing causes and try your hand at something a bit different.” ”

A man wearing a high-vis jacket shakes the hand of an elderly community gardener

Resources for organisations

Whether you’re a charity, business, council, housing association or community group, there are so many benefits to getting involved and supporting people to do something positive locally.

Find out more

Community celebration in the Rainforest Biome

Why does the Eden Project care about communities?

We are famous for taking a barren clay pit with no soil and transforming it into a thriving global garden, demonstrating what is possible when you dare to dream big and work together.

As a charity inspiring positive action for the planet, we have a simple belief: a thriving planet starts with people caring for each other. Building strong, resilient communities enables people to make changes where they live, growing a movement of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Our projects