In the countdown to the festive break, we have one of our board advisors, Sophie Balmer, showcasing our campaigning highlights this year…
Hi! I’m Sophie and I’m thrilled to share the 12 most incredible successes from this year’s campaigning at Magic Breakfast. As someone who has experienced morning hunger, been part of breakfast clubs, and even now, seeing my younger siblings go through secondary school, I know how important this work is.
This year, I had the privilege of joining the Magic Breakfast team as a Youth Advisor to the Board of Trustees. It has allowed me to use my own personal experience to help create change and represent young people who truly understand the barrier to learning morning hunger creates.
Without further ado, here are our 12 Days of Christmas:
Free school breakfasts were included in the manifestos of two political parties in England. A nutritious, barrier-free breakfast was a game changer for me in school and I am happy that people in power are realising its importance.
One of my favourite moments this year was when children shared their voices through drawings about what breakfast means to them. It was amazing to see how powerful their views, even through art, could be.
I’m very happy that some of our key policy recommendations are to be part of the government’s pilot programme. This means the pilot will cover breakfasts for all primary-aged children, including those in special needs schools and alternative provisions, and not only mainstream primary schools. Schools in the trial will test various ways to deliver breakfast so that it reaches all children that need it, and the food provided will meet school food standards. This is a great step forward!
This year, many people joined the campaign, signing petitions and taking action. It made me realise how many people care about making sure no child starts their school day hungry and are doing something to see a change!
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been introduced to parliament, and I’m thrilled to see free school breakfasts for all primary-age children included in it. It’s amazing to have school breakfasts recognised as essential for wellbeing, not just a meal. We will soon share actions you can take to help strengthen this bill…stay tuned!
Teachers shared how breakfasts change lives through our Teacher Tapp survey, campaign actions, and personal stories. Their support showed their deep care for pupils and the classroom impact of breakfast.
After over three years of broken promises, the recent announcement of a trial to deliver free school breakfasts is a huge deal for children and young people in Scotland! Our Breakfast Can’t Wait campaign will work to ensure the pilot is accessible, breaks down barriers, and removes stigma for pupils. You can read our full response here.
This year, thanks to you and our team’s efforts, more MPs now advocate for free school breakfasts in Parliament. Thank you to all of you who wrote to your MP in the last months – let’s keep this momentum going!
At the Labour Party Conference, I shared my story at Magic Breakfast’s event, which was a key highlight of my year! Sharing my story about breakfast clubs in the presence of decision makers felt powerful, and seeing people rally behind our cause was incredible and very inspiring.
Our push for free breakfasts for at-risk secondary school pupils directed at the Chancellor succeeded! Funding was extended for a year, with record-breaking campaign participation—a win for thousands of young people. Watch this video to learn more about this.
Media coverage helped spread the word, keeping the pressure on decision-makers and bringing even more supporters on board!
Millions of children and young people are still starting their school day with empty tummies. But every win this year, fuels next year’s fight. I personally will continue to speak on this issue until morning hunger is history in schools across the UK.