Hot Meals and Homework with Akshata Murty
At Akshaya Patra UK, we believe that no child should have to choose between hunger and education. That’s why we created our Hot Meals and Homework after-school clubs – an initiative that provides hot, nutritious meals alongside academic support to some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children. We received Akshata Murty to our Watford kitchen, where she engaged with students benefiting from our flagship programme.
An advocate for food and education
Akshata Murty, philanthropist and wife of former British prime minister Rishi Sunak, has long supported Akshaya Patra’s mission to serve good food that fuels education and opportunity.
“My family and I have been very proud to play our part in Akshaya Patra’s incredible story, watching it grow to feed 2.2 million children every day across India. It is so important that the charity is also helping to change lives here in the UK, and I am delighted to shine a spotlight on its brilliant initiative, Hot Meals and Homework,” said Ms Murty.
The Impact of Hot Meals and Homework
Operating in several schools, our Hot Meals and Homework clubs address two critical issues: food poverty and educational inequality. By ensuring children receive one extra hot meal a day and focused literacy and numeracy support or are a part of an educational activity, we are helping them stay nourished, engaged, and on track to fulfil their potential.
During her visit, Ms Murty assisted our talented chefs in the kitchen, met with students from Strelley Academy in Nottingham, one of the pioneering schools in our programme, even helped them with their maths homework. Having recently co-founded her own charity focused on improving numeracy skills, her passion for education was evident.
Daniel Adams, CEO of Akshaya Patra UK, said:
“It has been wonderful to welcome Akshata to our kitchen. She is an incredibly inspiring advocate for solutions that empower communities, and her visit today has shone a spotlight on the vital connection between food, education, and opportunity. Our after-school clubs provide a safe space where disadvantaged children receive both a hot meal and the academic support they need to thrive. We hope to expand to many more schools, as funds allow.”
Sarah O’Connell, headteacher at Djanogly Strelley Academy, also spoke about the impact of the programme on her students:
“The Hot Meals and Homework programme has made a real difference to our pupils – not just in aiding their academic progress, but in their confidence, energy to learn, and overall wellbeing. The additional hot meal has also proved a great support for families struggling to make ends meet.”
Help us bridge the attainment gap
Ms Murty’s visit highlights the urgent need for initiatives like Hot Meals and Homework. With over 4 million children in UK households affected by food insecurity, our work is more important than ever. But we can’t do it alone.
By donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, you can help us reach more children and provide them with the nourishment and education they deserve. Get involved today and be a part of the change.