News
The Big Hello! - National Community Weekend 2019
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
“The Big Hello!” is the first National Community Weekend which takes place this May Bank Holiday Weekend (4-6 May). It will support communities to host events in their local area in order to strengthen community ties and help tackle the problem of social isolation.
The event is being organised by the Department of Rural and Communtiy Development in partnership with representatives of Public Participation Networks , Local Community Development Committees , Volunteer Ireland , Young Social Innovators , Macra na Feirme , Street Feast , An tOireachtas and Change X .
Speaking at the launch of the event in March Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, said:
“I am challenging everyone to reach out and say The Big Hello! to their neighbours by organising an event, or attending one in their local community. Events could range from a communal cup of tea or a picnic to a sports day or a local history event. The community decides!
“In order to support these events I have allocated €10,000 to each of the 31 Local Authorities and asked them to allocate funding to The Big Hello! events in their areas. The target is for at least 1,000 local events to be held throughout Ireland.”
Funding for events is available to residents’ committees and community and voluntary groups through their Local Authorities. Further details can be found on The Big Hello! Facebook page.
Minister Ring continued:
“In a world where people are spending less time in their communities and more time at work, it is important to find new ways to connect people and focus on the importance of neighbours. In our busy lives we rarely make time for each other outside of our network of family, friends and social media contacts.
“Sadly, many people living among us are experiencing social isolation and loneliness. I firmly believe that this initiative can help people to connect or re-connect with their neighbours and communities.”
Minister Ring said:
“I’m delighted to have the active support of a working group from across the community and voluntary sector whose input has been crucial to the design of the event. Their support and extensive community networks will be extremely valuable in promoting The Big Hello! throughout Ireland.”
It is intended to have at least one Irish language event in each Local Authority area.