In Sheffield, the Shirecliffe Community Centre hosts an adult breakfast club designed for parents and grandparents of children attending the nearby Meadows nursery. The club offers meals for a nominal fee of £1, featuring items like sausages and hash browns, prepared by Dawn Hayes, the club’s cook. The initiative aims to provide both nourishment and social interaction, particularly for single parents and those living alone.
Ms. Hayes has been involved since the club’s inception, recognizing a need for a supportive environment for parents as they drop off their children at the nursery. She emphasizes the importance of offering a space where parents can gather, eat, and connect rather than returning home alone. The breakfast club has become a social outlet, helping to combat loneliness in the community.
While the program relies on contributions from local events and donations—such as tea and coffee from a nearby Tesco—it does not receive formal funding or grants. This contrasts with many schools and nurseries, which have breakfast clubs funded by major supermarket chains and brands. Recently, the government has initiated an “early adopter” scheme aimed at providing funding for free breakfast clubs in select schools across the country.
Participants have highlighted the positive impact of the club on their lives. Lina, a mother of three, shares that the breakfast club has helped her connect with other parents after feeling isolated during the pandemic. She views the meal as a treat and appreciates the friendships that have developed within the group. Similarly, Jane Clark, a grandmother, enjoys the camaraderie and shared experiences, stating that being around children contributes to a vibrant community dynamics.
The breakfast club serves as a vital resource amid ongoing challenges, particularly concerning food affordability and social isolation among parents and caregivers.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8e7ze29mqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss