A young homeless man from Bury, Kyson, recently addressed Labour MPs at the Labour conference in Liverpool. Representing Co-op and Barnardo’s, Kyson shared his struggles with food insecurity and homelessness, highlighting the challenges faced by young people in accessing nutritious food. His presentation included a report titled “A Recipe for Success: How Children and Young People Want to Access Food in Their Communities,” which offers recommendations for policymakers, local authorities, and retailers to improve food access for young people.
Kyson’s Journey and Advocacy
Kyson has been homeless since the age of 18, and his experiences have driven him to advocate for better food access for young people. At the Labour conference, he spoke passionately about the difficulties faced by young people in finding and affording nutritious food. His involvement with Co-op and Barnardo’s has given him a platform to voice these concerns and push for change. The report he presented is a culmination of efforts to understand and address the food insecurity issues faced by young people.
The report, co-produced by Kyson, highlights the voices of over 45,000 young people aged nine to 25. It reveals that nearly one in four secondary and college-aged students struggle to access healthy food choices in their communities. This issue is exacerbated by the rising cost of living, which limits traditional food sources such as home or school. Kyson’s advocacy aims to bring these issues to the forefront and encourage policymakers to take action.
Kyson’s story is not just about his personal struggles but also about the collective challenges faced by young people. He emphasized that young people often worry not only about themselves but also about their friends and families. His message at the conference was clear: young people need support and solutions to ensure they can access the food they need to thrive.
Recommendations for Change
The report presented by Kyson outlines six key recommendations to improve food access for young people. These include establishing local food partnerships, expanding retail discount schemes to young people, and addressing holiday hunger when the Government’s HAF scheme ends in March 2025. These recommendations are aimed at creating a more supportive environment for young people to access nutritious food.
One of the key recommendations is the establishment of local food partnerships. These partnerships would bring together various stakeholders, including local authorities, retailers, and community organizations, to work collaboratively on improving food access. By pooling resources and expertise, these partnerships can create sustainable solutions to food insecurity.
Another important recommendation is the expansion of retail discount schemes to young people. This would help make nutritious food more affordable and accessible. The report also calls for addressing holiday hunger, a significant issue for many young people who rely on school meals during term time. With the HAF scheme set to end in March 2025, there is an urgent need to find alternative solutions to ensure young people do not go hungry during school holidays.
The Role of Co-op and Barnardo’s
Kyson’s involvement with Co-op and Barnardo’s has been instrumental in bringing attention to the issue of food insecurity among young people. The partnership between these organizations was established in 2023, with the goal of supporting positive futures for 750,000 young people across the UK. This ambitious partnership aims to raise £5 million to support various initiatives, including improving access to food and teaching young people how to cook.
Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and membership participation at Co-op, emphasized the importance of young people’s voices in shaping solutions to the challenges they face. She highlighted that Co-op member-owners are committed to cooperating to address these issues. The partnership with Barnardo’s is a testament to this commitment, as both organizations work together to create a brighter future for young people.
Kyson’s story and advocacy efforts have brought much-needed attention to the issue of food insecurity among young people. His work with Co-op and Barnardo’s is a powerful example of how collaboration and community involvement can drive positive change. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity and implementing the recommendations outlined in the report, there is hope for a future where all young people have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
