Brixton school kids have been teaching adults how to make new friends, ahead of the Big Lunch, a national festival to get neighbours mingling over a meal.
The children from Loughborough School, in Minet Road, gave tips including sharing food, asking their name and just asking to play.
Marcella Madden, Deputy Head at Loughborough Primary School, said: “Every day we see the children here use very simple techniques to start conversations and friendships – techniques which we grown-ups can easily learn from.
“When The Big Lunch asked if the schoolchildren would share their top tips, we were delighted to help – it’s a fantastic idea to help bring communities together.”
The children took action after a Big Lunch survey of 2,000 adults found half of Londoners struggle with small talk, despite 73% saying a simple conversation with a neighbour makes them feel happier.
A Big Lunch will take place at Angell Town Estate, and Loughborough Primary School children have prepared by baking cookies and growing vegetables they plan to sell at the event.
Soleha Khawar, Angell Town Housing Office Communications Officer, said: “We’ve been running baking and vegetable growing workshops as we want to encourage children and parents from the estate to get involved and come along on the day.
“We think The Big Lunch is a really simple idea and we hope it will bring our community together.”
The Angell Town Big Lunch, which is open to all residents from the estate, will feature stalls from local businesses, a live DJ, and a bouncy castle. It will take place from 12-4pm at Langport House, Overton Road.
There will also be a Big Lunch at Brixton Village organised by market traders and the Brixton Pound from 1pm on Sunday.
Last year 3.65 million people took part in the Big Lunch, which is led by the Eden Project. In 2012 8.5 million hosted lunches across the country as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The Big Lunch encourages those who want to host their own event to go on their website: www.thebiglunch.com
