Three young people from Swinton represented Co-op and Barnardo’s at a House of Lords event this week [8 July] to call for action to improve food access for young people, as a new report reveals that 1 in 4 young people struggle to access nutritious, affordable food in their communities.
Eleven-year-old Justin, 12-year-old Amima and 14-year-old Rodiat, who all live in Swinton, travelled from Manchester to London first thing on Tuesday morning – the first visit to the capital for all three – in a journey Amima described as “long!”. They then travelled to the House of Lords for the launch of Co-op and Barnardo’s latest report, ‘Deeper roots, stronger futures: Unlocking the potential of food partnerships for young people’.
Food partnerships (FPs) are networks that bring together organisations such as local authorities, businesses, charities, community groups, and individuals to create fairer, healthier, and more sustainable local food systems.
Co-op and Barnardo's are calling on local authorities to implement a food partnership in every community by 2030, to support food access, as the report reveals that just 54% of local authorities in the UK are working with a food partnership. What’s more, just 13% said that their food partnership actively involved young people in decision-making.
“Food partnerships can really help people, but they can’t help people who aren’t involved. We need a voice because we’re the future,” said Amima.
Rodiat agreed, saying: "Lack of food can affect you, especially if you’re young. Food partnerships can help families that are struggling, but they can also help young people living independently, or living on the streets.”
“Families need more support,” added Justin, “And food partnerships can provide that.”
The report comes after previous Co-op and Barnardo’s research found that almost a quarter of young people (23%) are unable to access healthy food in their own communities, with 1 in 5 young people – equivalent to 2.5 million across the UK – saying that they or their families have struggled to access or pay for food in the last six months.
The report was launched by Lord Rooker, with MPs and policy-makers invited to hear from Justin, Amima and Rodiat, as well as members of the Co-op and Barnardo’s Youth Advisory Group, who co-authored the report.
22-year-old Kyson Redd, a Youth Advisory Group member from Bury, said: “Food partnerships can bring communities together to make sure everyone can access good, healthy food. But they aren’t working for young people because young people aren’t being involved. Instead, we’re being ignored.”
As well as encouraging local authorities to step up support, Co-op and Barnardo’s have recently announced an extension to their partnership – aiming to raise £7 million and support positive futures for 1 million young people across the UK. Justin, Rodiat and Amima regularly attend a service run by the partnership in Salford, called ‘Sal-food For All’, which is free to attend for all young people in the area.
Justin said: “We make food and play games there, and it helps you make new friends and socialise rather than just staying inside. There’s surplus food which we can take home if we need to. I always take home the noodles!”
Rodiat praised the service for allowing her to be creative, while Amima said she likes how diverse it is - “and how nice the people are”.
Emma Cox, a Barnardo’s and Co-op Support Worker who accompanied the trio to London, said: “I got to know Justin, Amima and Rodiat through Sal-food For All, and it’s been amazing to see how their confidence has developed. I’m so proud of them for coming to London to raise awareness of this important issue. I see first-hand the impact that going without food can have on young people, and their families, and it’s vital that more is done to help all young people access the food they need to thrive.”
Amima described the opportunity to be at the House of Lords as “amazing”, with Rodiat calling it a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.
“It’s important to be here and talk about how some people are struggling,” said Justin. “But also how organisations like Co-op and Barnardo’s are helping. It’s absolutely incredible to be here, it’s unreal. My friends haven’t ever got to do anything like this, so they’re all really jealous!”
To read the full report please visit https://www.barnardos.org.uk/research/co-op-deeper-roots-stronger-futures, or www.coop.co.uk/SupportYoungPeople to learn more about the partnership.