Hot Meals and Homework
The Challenge
UK child poverty and inequality
More than four million British children live in poverty, facing hardships that affect their health, well-being, and future prospects. Almost a quarter of households with children experience food insecurity. Educational inequality remains a major issue, with poorer students 27% less likely to achieve good exam results than their peers, perpetuating a cycle of poverty that impacts future generations.
Homework as a social justice issue
Homework plays a crucial role in reinforcing learning, teaching time management, and fostering responsibility. However, many disadvantaged children face barriers, such as noisy environments, lack of proper study space, limited parental support, and insufficient resources like stationery or internet access. These challenges widen educational inequalities, leaving poorer children with reduced opportunities and lower academic achievement.
Our Solution
Akshaya Patra, through its collaboration with over 24,000 schools and governments in India, and holiday club providers and local authorities in the UK, is dedicated to serving communities in need. By consulting with children, parents, carers, and educators, we developed the “Hot Meals and Homework” initiative.
Partnering with Djanogly Learning Trust, which serves schools with a high rate of free school meal eligibility, we identified the need to improve both homework completion and access to nutritious food. This program is a response to these challenges, with support from food reclaim charities and other organizations focused on addressing educational inequality.
Program Design
Hot Meals and Homework is an after-school program that provides nutritious meals and educational support to disadvantaged children. Akshaya Patra offers freshly prepared, hot vegetarian meals from its Watford kitchen, which meet the highest food safety standards.
The program, facilitated by teachers, combines a healthy meal with additional homework help and educational activities. Meals include both Indian staples like curry and rice and British favourites like jacket potatoes and vegetarian lasagne, along with fresh fruit and a healthy cake. This initiative encourages students to stay after school and benefit from both nutrition and learning.
Programme Impact and Outcomes
- Outcome 1: Hunger and nutrition
- Children experience reduced hunger at school and enjoy increased access to healthy and nutritious food.
- Outcome 2: Energy and concentration
- Children are more energised and alert and demonstrate improved concentration and readiness to learn.
- Outcome 3: Academic confidence and progression
- Children’s confidence in completing homework is enhanced and their academic progression is positively impacted.
- Outcome 4: Happiness and enjoyment
- Children enjoy new experiences, develop their social skills, have a greater sense of belonging, and worry less.
- Outcome 5: Parental engagement and participation
- Parents are more engaged in their child’s education and the life of the school and informed about good nutrition.
To partner with us, please email at hello@akshayapatra.org.uk today.