Mum and daughter team praised for organising Big Lunch for Christmas in Kirkby Lonsdale

A mum and daughter who run a Kirkby Lonsdale-based group distributing food to people who need it most have organised a 'Big Lunch' for Christmas.

Janet and Issy Bradshaw are the duo behind Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard, an initiative distributing food to households that need it and running social activities for elderly and vulnerable people.

As well as running a free weekly community lunch to reduce loneliness, the Community Cupboard are running a Big Lunch at Christmas, alongside a Reverse Advent Calendar to encourage much-needed donations and festive craft workshops to make wrapping paper and wreaths to help to ease the financial load for struggling households.

Their next Big Lunch at Christmas event is on December 26 when elderly and vulnerable people are invited to enjoy a free Christmas dinner and some festive spirit.

Issy also runs a weekly warm space film night and has been holding after school craft sessions to ease the cost of Christmas with potato stamp wrapping paper workshops and wreath making classes.

“It’s so important to reach out to your community and make the festive season feel a bit easier for people who might be lonely, short of money or feeling low," said Issy.

"For my mum and I, it’s all part and parcel of our mission to bring people together where we live. Although we sometimes encounter challenges, seeing people join in with activities and feel the warmth of human connection makes it all feel worth it.”

The Big Lunch is part of an Eden Project Communities initiative called Winter Warmers, calling on people to join in with simple, affordable activities to light up their communities and spread joy during the colder months.

This initiative comes at a time when further YouGov data showed that people and communities are continuing to struggle with high living costs, leading to fewer social opportunities which can exacerbate stress and feelings of loneliness. and feel the warmth of human connection makes it all feel worth it.”

The Eden Project, who are the people behind annual community celebration The Big Lunch, made possible by The National Lottery, is responding to the crisis of connection by supporting people with simple activities that anyone can take part in where they live.

Lindsey Brummitt, Eden Project’s programme director overseeing the Winter Warmers campaign, said: “When finances are overstretched, people are forced to cut back, but we’re urging them not to cut back on friendship! Spending time together can light up the dark winter months, which can feel especially necessary when the weather is cold and the days are shorter. Everyone benefits from human warmth and social connections, so we’re encouraging communities across the country to make the effort and plan something sociable this winter.”

The Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard also organises Community Lunches - providing both a delivered lunch service and an in person lunch service every Monday, including bank holidays and school holidays. 

The team provides hot, nutritious meals including classic comfort meals such as beef stew, cottage pie and a tasty vegetarian hotpot, for older and/ or vulnerable residents, providing hot meals for a suggested donation of £3.50 for delivered and £5 for an eat in meal with dessert and a hot drink.

The Reverse Advent Christmas Tree is located in The Royal Barn on New Road.

Each day of advent, a new food item card will be put on the tree and people can donate any of the requested items if they are available. The items are household staples and all food items donated will be shared amongst local food banks to replenish low stocks and give them a good start for the new year ahead.