In 2020 YouthLink Scotland was funded by the Scottish Government to coordinate and support a pilot programme, focused on addressing food insecurity and learning loss in the school holidays. It took place during summer 2020, targeted at young people (S1-S6) identified by trusted professionals as being at risk of food insecurity or learning loss.

Six Regional Improvement Collaborative local authority areas participated in the pilot programme. Each developed its own delivery model, aiming to support 20 young people.

The aims of the pilot were to:

Identify and engage young people who were most at risk of food insecurity, including those newly-vulnerable due to Covid-19;
Deliver a dignified approach to food insecurity;
Embed measures to tackle food insecurity within informal learning;
Deliver learning opportunities tailored to the needs of the cohort;
Take a holistic approach to supporting families affected by food insecurity – where possible and appropriate engaging the whole family.

Following the pilot, the positive impacts included:

Learned about food and healthy eating.

Had a better or more positive view of themselves after participating.

Looked forward to returning to school after the summer holidays.

Food Insecurity and Learning Loss Pilot

Learn more about youth work’s role in tackling poverty by bridging the gap between food insecurity and readiness to learn.

Read the report