Catherine Anderson, CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, said: “We had more events than last year, more engaged organisers, lots of data gathered, and some incredible stories. The message we received was loud and clear: communities love the Great Get Together, and they are already waiting for June 2020 dates!
“We hugely appreciate the wonderful partnership with Spirit of 2012 this year, and Spirit’s incredible enthusiasm, and energy, in helping to build an enormously successful third Great Get Together.”
We’ve highlighted some of the special moments from the weekend for you here. We hope you enjoy them.
Our five Breaking Boundaries locations celebrated the Great Get Together weekend with special ‘Tea20’ events: a mix of food, drink, face-painting, dance and, of course, cricket, bringing together people of all ages and ethnicities in a day of celebration.
Breaking Boundaries, our ground-breaking three-year cricket project, uses sport to bring different communities together and, just like the Great Get Togethers, believes in the power of community events, and sharing what we have in common to build stronger bonds, and happier neighbourhoods.
The five BB teams hosted hundreds of cricket fans, as well as a government minister (see below), across a weekend of activity that helped raise awareness of the brilliant work this programme is doing.
The Wheelability Great Get Together in Minnis Bay, Kent brought together dozens of locals to try out accessible biking.
Six newbies signed up for regular sessions, and one amazing 80-year-old tried a handbike for the first time, and found she could use it well, and it gave her freedom to move around. The group may even have attracted some new funding through their efforts on the day.
In Northern Ireland, there was Tai Chi and tea at Banbridge Leisure Centre where the local community came together to chill out, and celebrate inclusion, community spirit, kindness and respect.
Guest David reported: “The Great Get Together gave us a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and develop our community spirit all whilst being active.”
In Scotland, Paths for All – run through our Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity fund (CLTSPA) – held a Big Fit Walk in Beech Manor Care Home’s garden in Perth, where care home residents and staff were joined by family members, volunteers, Rotary Club members and local primary school children.
All tried out some newly-installed strength and balance exercises while perambulating the garden’s looping pathways, and shared a garden picnic and fun garden activities throughout the afternoon, such as golf putting, lawn darts and quoits.
Further information
For more on our partnership with the Jo Cox Foundation, click here.