[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-20945553

Pupils at a Blackpool primary school have given the thumbs up to a pilot scheme offering free breakfasts.

The £700,000 project is being offered to all 12,000 primary pupils in Blackpool, regardless of their family's finances.

Four hundred pupils at Devonshire Road Primary School got stuck in, on the first day of the three month trial.

Many pupils admitted they rarely have anything to eat or drink before school and those who did said it was rarely the healthy option.

"I don't often eat breakfast because I come from a large family and it can be rushed and a bit chaotic in the morning helping the little ones," said Tammy Lea Tyrell, 10, admitting she had really enjoyed it.

After eating cereal with a banana and some apple juice, Tammy said she felt ready for the day ahead.

While it has proved a hit with pupils, the scheme has come as a relief to the school's teachers.

Year 4 teacher Stephen Moalt, said children arriving at school without having breakfast has an adverse affect to their behaviour and their ability to learn.

"I have given children fruit out of my own lunchbox and it makes such a difference once they have had something to eat," said Mr Moalt.

"They get more involved and are more will willing to learn."

Andrew Brannigan, who teaches year 5 pupils, has been at Devonshire Road School for 13 years and said food had always been an issue with pupils.

He said the problem is not just about children who skip breakfast, "it is about having the right breakfast, too".

"Some children say they have had last night's KFC for breakfast or a packet of custard creams and you can tell by their behaviour and hyperactivity," he said.

"That can then have an adverse affect on all the other kids in the class, too."

Head teacher Neil Hodgkins said it was a great initiative because hungry children have caused problems.

"Some children are lethargic in the morning and it can be a job getting them going," he said.

"This guarantees all pupils have a good start to the day and will make them more alert and attentive and will also benefit punctuality and attendance.

"It also promotes healthy eating and hopefully establishing good habits for life."

The scheme was masterminded by Blackpool Council leader, Simon Blackburn.

He wants to extend the three-month project to include secondary schools in the town, which is among the most deprived in England, and provide universal free lunches.

Although the authority is having to cut £13.5m from next year's budget and 300 jobs are under threat, Mr Blackburn said feeding hungry children in Blackpool was "a priority".

He refused to lay blame on parents and said the authority should step in to make sure youngsters are properly fed in the morning and help them to focus on learning.

Mr Blackburn said: "It is not the kids' fault and for a wild variety of reasons, because families are busy or stretched financially, it is not acceptable to have hungry kids."

He added he was in discussions with companies interested in providing sponsorship to help fund the scheme.

Well, the teachers and kids are happy about it .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-22163255

A three month, £700,000 pilot scheme to give school children in Lancashire free breakfasts has been extended.

All 12,000 primary pupils in Blackpool have been offered free milk, fruit juice, cereal and toast since January in a bid to improve behaviour, attendance and standards in schools.

Blackpool Council said it is continuing the free breakfast scheme until May.

Researchers from Northumbria University are examining the benefits of the scheme.

The authority will make a final decision on continuing the project on 20 May.

That'll be another £500k then .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-22810432

A pilot scheme offering free breakfasts to primary school children in Blackpool has improved their health and punctuality, say researchers.

All 12,000 pupils are offered milk, fruit juice, cereal and toast in a bid to benefit their performance in school.

Blackpool Council will decide on 17 June whether to extend its £1.3m scheme, which began in January, until the end of March 2014.

Northumbria University researchers have examined the scheme's benefits.

Dr Margaret Anne Defreyter, director of healthy living at Northumbria University, said: "Blackpool's free school breakfast scheme is one of the largest schemes operating within the UK.

"The overall findings of the evaluation of the Blackpool scheme are very positive and based on these findings I strongly recommend that the scheme continues."

Well, at least the kids are getting a good start to the day .....

OTOH :

On the other hand :

Blackpool has a major problem with alcoholism, obesity, smoking and mental health.

Fylde psychotherapist Steve Pope estimates three-in-five families have a member with depression.

"We're losing the battle," he said. "We're dealing with some families where three generations haven't worked.

"It becomes interwoven in their way of life and can lead to addiction and depression."

Lancashire MIND, the mental health charity, is seeking funding to work with ten and 11-year olds in primary schools.

Team leader Samantha Wilkinson said: "They're children and they're losing their childhood. People will be shocked to hear that a 10-year old would contemplate suicide."

[Me. I Am Salman]

This is good news, imo all school lunches even in secondary school should be free to every pupil regardless of their home income. At the secondary school I used to go, in the last 15 mins of lunch break the canteen still had trays and trays of food and they just used to throw them away. They wouldn't give it to pupils who were non free school meals that were hungry. I mean take me for example, I never bothered making packed lunches because they are never filling and they're annoying to carry in my bag. I didn't buy any school lunches because they were stupidly overpriced. So I used to just not eat at lunch, and many others were like me. The canteen staff had so much leftovers and only rarely used to give us some if we asked - most of the time it ended up in the bin. They were so intent on following the rules and being stingy. Such a waste of food and money.

[Me. I Am Salman]

I just realised this thread is about breakfast oops

[GiRTh]

Good news indeed.

Its the job of the parent to prepare their kids but its also the job of the school to make sure no kids are disadvantaged at school. I'm surprised they found the money for this. Kids don't vote, parents who take advantage of schemes like this probably don't vote either.

I applaud this scheme going ahead when it has very little political gain. It seems like this has been put together entirely for the good of the kids. In this day and age that's very rare.

[Kizzy]

Yes it seems the scheme has been a success despite some bitching about the costing
The severe social deprivation is rife here and is widespread across the UK, it's only going to get worse due to the bedroom tax implemented since april.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Yes it seems the scheme has been a success despite some bitching about the costing
The severe social deprivation is rife here and is widespread across the UK, it's only going to get worse due to the bedroom tax implemented since april.

Blackpool's health: Life is short near the Golden Mile

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-22772700

Blackpool's Public Health Annual Report 2012 reveals Bloomfield has the lowest life expectancy figure for men in England, 13 years less than in parts of the south east.

Behind the statistics is a complex picture of deprivation, which millions of tourists who come to the resort each year never see.

The bill last year for alcohol-related harm and violence, including police and NHS resources and lost working days, was £100m.

There is one licensed premises for every 72 residents.

The health situation is compounded by seasonal unemployment and transience.

Dr Rajpura describes Blackpool as "a net importer of ill health" with "incomers" bringing problems with them, exacerbated when they fail to find work.

This wide range of deep-rooted issues has left an extraordinary discrepancy in terms of how long people can expect to live.

While men in the poorer, central areas of the town will reach an average age of 72, their counterparts just four miles north, in the Norbreck area, can expect to live a decade longer.

Blackpool women fare a little better but will still lose three years life expectancy compared to the national average - the third worst in the UK.

The kids better enjoy life and a full belly while they can, because life is grim for adults .....

[Lee.]

We have breakfast club here.. It's mainly for parents who have to drop their kids off before 9am. They get given a healthy breakfast then get to play for a bit.. It's not free though

[Kizzy]

It's not the same thing at all then is it? haha! this is an old article lee, I'm sure we've had this convo before? de ja vu....

[Lee.]

Lol... Have we?? You must have a better memory than me!

Omg.. I've got to the stage wher I'm going about the forum repeating myself and not even realising it!!

[Kizzy]

No sorry lee, it wasn't you just looked back

[Lee.]

Phew! I'm not losing it after all

[Kizzy]

I can well believe it too the series 999 emergency on C4 was filmed there, what a place to live, it was a heartbreaking series.
My daughter is at Lancaster university she says Blackpool out of season is really grim.