Lindsey MacDonald

Millions of disabled people used food banks last year as Labour plotted benefit cuts

Most people who rely on a food bank are disabled, new figures from the UK's leading network of food banks has revealed.

Last night we were honoured to win Charity of the Year (over £10m income) at the #CharityTimesAwards! 🏆

This award recognises the power of collaboration, evidence, and passion in breaking down barriers to opportunity.

Read more: https://utm.guru/ujb3M

#CharityOfTheYear

What happens when children and young people start the day with a nutritious breakfast?

For many schools, the answer is:
✅ Calmer classrooms
✅ More pupils ready to learn
✅ Stronger school communities

🔗 utm.guru/bsk/annual_b...

#MagicBreakfast #AnnualBreakfastSurvey #FuelForLearning

Landmark strategy to improve early years and family services Parents across the country to benefit from new plan to drive up the quality and accessibility of early years education and boost children’s life chances.

The Gov’s Best Start in Life strategy is a welcome step towards supporting every child to thrive. With a strong focus on early intervention and accessibility which will boost children’s life chances, it's the start of an ambitious approach to early years reform. (1/3)
www.gov.uk/government/n...

In Good Company with Lindsey MacDonald and Matt Downie - Binley Drake Consulting Martyn Drake in the good company of Matt Downie (Crisis) and Lindsey MacDonald (Magic Breakfast) talking about charity End Games.

What comes next once you get serious about system change? This is what I’ll be finding out in my conversation with @mattdownie.bsky.social of Crisis and @lindseymac.bsky.social of @magicbreakfastuk.bsky.social in just two weeks’ time. Join us here: binleydrake.com/event/in-goo...

Big news! We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for Charity Times' Charity of the Year! 🎉

Find out why on our blog >> utm.guru/uiBIJ

#CharityTimes #CharityTimesAwards #CharityOfTheYear

Thank you @hawksmooruk.bsky.social, an amazing meal (the best Yorkshire puddings I’ve found south of my grandma’s in the East Riding) and fantastic team. @magicbreakfastuk.bsky.social is so grateful for your support to help keep pupils fuelled and ready to succeed during exam season. #FuelForSuccess

Yesterday, the Chancellor reaffirmed her plan to ensure "no child goes hungry, and every child can have the best chance to thrive and succeed”, but failed to clarify key details for the Government's national #SchoolBreakfast roll out.

🔍 Read our full response here: utm.guru/uit84

#SpendingReview

Access to inclusive breakfast clubs is essential for pupils who have Down’s syndrome, providing not only a nutritious start to the day but also important opportunities for social interaction.

We therefore fully support this call on members of the House of Lords to make amendments to the Bill.

A positive step toward ensuring no child or young person is #TooHungryToLearn.

Huge congratulations to everyone who has been campaigning for this.

t.co/lv5NUseE6P

Hunger has a devastating impact on children's ability to focus & concentrate in addition to the impacts of stigma and shame.

Tackling food hunger in schools remains a key campaign priority for NASUWT.

@rebeccamccurdy.bsky.social
@magicbreakfastuk.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2518770...

South Shields MP visits The Beacon Centre to see the breakfast club provision Emma Lewell MP has visited The Beacon Centre to see the school’s breakfast club provision.

Lovely local coverage from yesterday’s visit with Magic Breakfast 🥯🍏🥛🥣
www.shieldsgazette.com/news/south-s...

Brilliant breakfast club visit this morning with @emmalewellmp.bsky.social to The Beacon Centre in South Shields. Thanks to the school staff, pupils and Eddie (school 🐶) for welcoming us so warmly and to Emma for being such a brilliant advocate for children, families, and school breakfasts 🧡

A brilliant two days in Edinburgh with Magic Breakfast’s board, staff, & visiting partner schools. People who care a whole awful lot. Lots achieved, lots to do!

A highlight for me was visiting Craigroyston High School, and speaking with students who deliver their school’s breakfast provision.

From childhood we’re told how important breakfast is. Breakfast clubs help kids learn, encourage attendance and support families. I loved visiting Our Lady of the Rosary Primary in Peterlee to see how their breakfast club sets up their day. I’m working with Govt for a breakfast for every child.

Hidden Hunger Hidden Hunger – The State of UK Breakfast Provision 2022 is the most comprehensive map of UK breakfast provision conducted to date, with data from over 5,500 schools across all four nations.

Yes, sadly there are a lot of barriers to existing breakfast provision across the U.K. Mapping in 2022 highlighted the need to address an inefficient post code lottery that often excludes the children who need school breakfasts most.

www.magicbreakfast.com/research/hid...

Screenshot of Lindsey Macdonald, CEO of Magic Breakfast speaking on BBC Breakfast

Great to join @bbcbreakfast.bsky.social to talk about benefits of free school breakfasts as 750 schools soon starting pilot.

Magic Breakfast looks forward to supporting some schools on the scheme & sharing learnings so benefits are realised & no child is #TooHungryToLearn.

This weekend, Magic Breakfast will be at Scottish Labour Party Conference.

⏰ Looking forward to speaking alongside colleagues at @barnardos.org.uk and @glasgowpam.bsky.social first thing tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Hope to see you there! A (magic) breakfast will be provided! 🥯 🥣 🍌 #ScotLab25

Great to attend First Minister’s Questions & several meetings at Scottish Parliament today.

I’m always struck by the reality of discussion, debate and behaviour in parliamentary debates. And impressed by topics covered. From waste management, to healthcare, to Scotch whisky! 🥃

See one of these other models in practice, beyond traditional breakfast clubs. This classroom provision for SEND pupils in Oldham brings to life what schools create when allowed to do what’s best for their pupils and context.
Sounds like 3rd time’s a charm for the 🧇 recipe! 😂

👉🏼 youtu.be/IW7myL0JIow

Good to join @paulbrand.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk to talk school breakfasts & highlight need for schools to be enabled/supported to adopt a variety of models, not just clubs. It will maximise funds & impact for pupils.
Also the evidence for and importance of universal provision (not means tested).

Agreed! 🧡🤞🏼

Sadly, still lots to do (secondary pupils, Scotland, ensuring policy effective, etc) but yes - a wonderful/positive step when this happens. Not sure written quotes convey much emotion either way, nor social posts! Would love to host you at a school in your constituency with mixed models, will email.

Agree on A & B. The article is more nuanced than headline & gives suggestions to maximise funding & impact.

80% of Magic Breakfast schools have clubs (offering vital childcare) & 86% offer mixed models (so complement club). It’s not either/or, it’s practical advice to make the pilot/policy succeed.

We can’t feed pupils for 60p, say schools in blow to Labour breakfast club pledge Critics warn of ‘political headlines over practical solutions’ as schools battle to cover cost of government’s flagship plan

To enable schools to maximise school breakfast funding and impact, the DfE must provide schools with flexibility, guidance & advice to deliver breakfast via various models: breakfast clubs, classroom, grab-&-go, & late provision. Via @theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

⭐️ Crucial role of expert advice and support for schools to enable effective impact and innovation at scale
⭐️ Crucial importance of monitoring & measuring the policy’s effectiveness - so we know money is well spent, impact is maximised, and the children who need it most get access to breakfast.

While commending the spirit of the policy we highlighted:

⭐️ Impact & effectiveness of a hunger-focused, stigma & barrier free approach
⭐️ Need for mixed models (not just breakfast clubs) for inclusivity, impact, and cost effectiveness
⭐️ Need to include secondary aged pupils in special schools

A privilege to give evidence to the Education Committee as they review the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Magic Breakfast’s evidence drew on 20+ years’ expertise of delivering universal, free school breakfasts, the evidence base, & lived experiences of pupils, parents, & school staff.

Radio 4 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds Listen live to BBC Radio 4 on BBC Sounds

Listen to @stephenmorganmp.bsky.social on @moneybox.bsky.social.
Says he’ll measure success of the school breakfasts Early Adopters Scheme based on it reaching the pupils who need it most.

Sufficient/sustainable funds are needed to deliver what will be a legal right.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Thank you!🙏