Stop 300 children from going hungry in London

Every day in the UK, half a million children go to school hungry, and the school holidays only amplify this issue. For the two million children who usually receive free school meals, the long break can mean going without access to nutritious food. At Be Enriched, we believe every child deserves better. Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) sessions relieve holiday hunger, providing food, and the opportunity for children and families to come together, learn, and have fun.

Thanks to your generous support, we were able to run another successful round of sessions this April. Here’s a deeper look at what we achieved and the lasting impact we’re making together.

This April, 48 children took part in our holiday programme, where the joy of good food and engaging activities replaced the stress of food insecurity. Over the holidays, our kids explored cooking, crafting, and learning, and most importantly, they enjoyed meals that were both nutritious and delicious.

The programme included a wide variety of hands-on activities, such as making healthy Easter-themed charcuterie boards, cooking paneer spring rolls and khichari, and preparing dishes like stuffed peppers and carrot cake pancakes. The children also enjoyed planting herbs and vegetables in our Pot Gang planting activity and learned how to make colossal carrot soup and cheesy filo bites.

Beyond cooking, we focused on fun arts and crafts, like creating Easter masks and cards, which provided an opportunity for kids to express themselves while discussing food and nutrition. A special highlight was a talk from an oral hygiene practitioner, linking nutrition with healthy habits.

Why This Matters: Tackling Holiday Hunger Head-On

The holiday period is one of the most challenging for families already struggling to make ends meet. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen, many parents in South London are left wondering how to feed their children when school meals are unavailable. This is where our HAF programme makes a real difference.

• Nutritious meals: Providing balanced, healthy meals to children who would otherwise miss out on free school meals

• Educational activities: Teaching kids the joy of cooking, creativity, and even gardening, giving them new skills and lasting memories

• Safe, welcoming spaces: Offering a supportive environment where parents can meet and socialise, sharing their experiences and feeling less isolated

At Be Enriched, we understand the importance of holiday support in alleviating holiday hunger. We aim to provide a place where both children and families can feel secure and cared for, without the stress of missing out on food, fun, or community.

Bringing the Fun of Cooking Into the Home

This spring, we also collaborated with the Mayor’s Fund for London to distribute Take-and-Make boxes to local families. These boxes were packed with ingredients and simple recipe cards, enabling families to enjoy cooking together at home. The boxes contained a variety of nutritious ingredients and step-by-step instructions, making it easy for parents and children to engage in cooking as a fun, educational activity.

This collaboration further demonstrates our commitment to nutritional education and ensuring that the joy of cooking extends beyond our holiday sessions. By bringing these boxes into homes, we’re empowering families to recreate the meals they learned about in our sessions, fostering healthy eating habits, building cooking skills, and bringing families closer through the act of preparing food together.

What Families Are Saying

The positive feedback we’ve received from families reaffirms why our work matters:

“Looking forward to joining more sessions in the future.”
“My child (and I) really enjoyed the session. Those running it did a great job.”
“Just thank you so much for the facility!!”
“The programme is excellent.”

Your donations make these moments possible. Thank you for ensuring that no child in South London has to go hungry during the holidays.

Looking Ahead: Exciting Developments for Summer

As we move towards summer, we’re already preparing for the next round of HAF sessions. We’re thrilled to be expanding our reach, offering more meals, activities, and support to children and families.

Your continued support means that we can keep delivering healthy food, fun, and friendship to those who need it most. We’re also working on an exciting membership scheme and growing our partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for this crucial work.

The reality of holiday hunger in South London is daunting, but together, we’re creating a positive change. Every donation helps us serve more families and ensures that no child goes hungry during the school holidays.

Thank you for being part of this important work and for helping us make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families.

With gratitude,
The Be Enriched Team