Uh oh, you are using an old web browser that we no longer support. Some of this website's features may not work correctly because of this. Learn about updating to a more modern browser here.

Skip To Content

Chef and YouTuber Big Has joins Save the Children to support children hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis

Chef, best-selling author and YouTuber Big Has has joined forces with Save the Children and partner Local Welcome to support children in his local area of Tottenham, North London who are being hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis.

In partnership with Save the Children and Local Welcome, Big Has ran a cooking workshop with primary school children at St Pauls All Hallow’s in Tottenham, teaching them to make flatbreads – inspired by his Cypriot heritage.

Nearly 4 million children are currently living in households that are food insecure in the UK. According to Save the Children research, more than four in 10 lower-income parents have been forced to skip meals at least once a week to ensure their children can eat due to the cost-of-living crisis. Save the Children predicts this is due to worsen over the coming winter months.

Big Has said:

 “Food has the power educate, empower and inspire. Bread is an offering of love and togetherness that goes beyond eating, offering moments where you come together with friends and family to connect and share stories. Teaching these kids how to cook flatbread gives them a key skill that they can have for life. 

The cost-of-living crisis is massively affecting these kids. If they can’t eat, they can’t concentrate at school and they can’t play in the playground. I know what it’s like to grow up without much money and have to make ends meet. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting children across the UK who are experiencing food poverty, They’re the future of our society and I can’t think of a cause closer to my heart.”

St Paul’s All Hallows pupil, Zakai,10, said:

“When I learnt to make flatbread with Bis Has I felt really happy and proud of myself.

I think it is very important for children to know how to cook good food because when you have a full stomach, it is much easier to learnt at school than when you have an empty stomach. If you have an empty stomach in the day at school, you are distracted by how hungry you are which makes it really difficult to use your brain properly and enjoy your days at school.”

To reduce food insecurity in the UK, Save the Children is campaigning for the Government to increase benefits/Universal Credit rise in line with inflation (6.7%) as part of the autumn statement on the 22nd of November.  The charity also wants children whose families receive Universal Credit to be eligible for free school meals, as currently only families earning £7,400 or less qualify. This move would ensure another 800,000 children across the country would receive a balanced meal at school every day. 

Director of UK Impact at Save the Children, Dan Paskins said:

“We know that nutritious food fuels play, boosts education and enables children to have the healthy, happy future they deserve. Yet currently, nearly 4 million children live in households that are food insecure in the UK. This is not good enough. No child in the UK should be going hungry.

Winter is set to be an extremely difficult period for families across the UK as the cost of living pressures continue to bite. The Government must do more to ensure every child has access to enough healthy food and we will not stop campaigning to make this happen.

“This winter, Save the Children is urging the British public to come together and support children who are experiencing food poverty in the UK and around the world by donating to the Feed Children’s Futures campaign at savethechildren.org.”

CEO of Local Welcome, Ben Pollard, said:

“In a divided world, cooking and eating together is a powerfully simple way to stir up unity, reduce isolation, and celebrate the diversities that make us stronger.

Everyone in the UK should have enough food to eat, and a place to belong. We don’t have to accept division, isolation and hunger. We can do better. Our volunteer-led groups help families, who are often newcomers, to make new friends, learn new skills, and strengthen their communities, together."

ENDS

 

For Broll and further imagery: https://www.contenthubsavethechildren.org/Share/6gxcy056x4apoig21yoyxlm1qu5cj8gk

 

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

For further information please contact:  

Save the Children PR Manager, Flo Brookes, 020 3763 1241, f.brookes@savethechildren.org

CEO of Local Welcome, Ben Pollard, 07765 457574, ben@local-welcome.org

About Save the Children: 

Save the Children exists to help every child get the chance of a future they deserve. In more than 100 countries, including the UK, we make sure children stay safe, healthy and learning – finding new ways to reach children who need us most. For a century, we’ve stood up for children’s rights and made sure their voices are heard. With children, for children, we change the future for good. 

This winter, Save the Children is urging the British public to come together and support children who are experiencing food poverty in the UK and around the world by donating to the Feed Children’s Futures campaign at savethechildren.org.

Save the Children’s work in the UK

  • Save the Children works with children, families and partners in communities across the UK to reduce the impact of poverty on children’s learning and development during the early years.  

  • Save the Children supports families with food vouchers, food pantries and provides emergency cash grants to struggling families so that they can buy the food they need to feed their children.

  • Save the Children also campaigns to help eradicate poverty by changing government policy on areas such as free school meals and benefits/Universal Credit.

For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.uk  

About Local Welcome:
 
Local Welcome is a network of diverse local groups that transcend cultural and economic boundaries. We reduce isolation by supporting local volunteers to cook and eat shared meals in community spaces. In a world grappling with division, isolation, and the continuing cost-of-living crisis, we support local leaders to foster deeper connections, and equip individuals with valuable life skills. Our community-driven approach encourages people from diverse backgrounds to connect, share a meal, learn, and grow together. Our meals increase access to nutritious food, celebrate diverse cultures, and help communities to welcome newcomers.

For more information visit www.localwelcome.org