My leadership-in-action project over the summer was truly rewarding. I had the opportunity to work at Magic Breakfast, alongside the Policy and Public Affairs Team.

Throughout my leadership-in-action project I completed a research report on the outcomes of free breakfast provisions in Wales and contributed to a set of policy proposals aimed at improving the implementation of breakfast programmes in the region. In the Welsh Parliament it is a statutory duty to provide every primary school with a free breakfast programme in order to tackle morning hunger among pupils. The aim of my research was to figure out why breakfast provisions in Wales have not been effective. Despite the introduction of the Welsh Free School Breakfast Initiative back in 2004, there has been a surprising lack of data, evaluation and monitoring of its impacts. Throughout my research, I identified the key issues that have hindered the success of these programmes. The key issue was a lack of data, and the reason was surprisingly simple. Teachers were unwilling to collect data because the implementation of breakfast clubs has been consistently challenging and incoherent. Without a clear implementation strategy and consistent goal, the ability to reach the most vulnerable students has been difficult.  The insights gained from this research will significantly inform the charity’s approach to breakfast initiatives in Wales, particularly as Magic Breakfast does not currently operate in the region.

One of the highlights of my time at Magic Breakfast was the opportunity to join one of their engagement partners on a visit to a school sponsored by Magic Breakfast. These engagement partners, who are essentially experts in the field, provide valuable guidance to schools on how to efficiently run breakfast clubs while minimising any associated stigma. It shocked me how much an engagement partner could improve the system, from suggesting new ways for children to simply eat breakfast to collaborating with head teachers to address the socio-economic barriers that many pupils face. I found this hands-on experience very valuable because I could see how the provision of free breakfast actually works and the extent of the impact it has on the children’s day at school. Whilst I was working in the office, I was able to watch and be a part of the logistical side of working in the charity, the visit to the school offered a glimpse of how all the planning and efforts come together to create positive change in the lives of these children.

This school visit informed my approach to the set of policy proposals I concluded at the end of my research report. The use of an engagement partner to ensure the optimal use of breakfast provisions emerged as a crucial aspect. These partners can pinpoint areas of concern and offer tailored strategies for each school, making their role indispensable. Given the challenges presented by the post-COVID-19 world and the ongoing cost of living crisis, it becomes increasingly unfair for schools to divert their focus from the multifaceted issues facing the education system. This means that the role of engagement partners and dedicated technical experts is even more important, as food insecurity is detrimental to children’s educational attainment. This deserves unwavering attention.

During my leadership-in action project, alongside my policy report, I wrote a public post on why it is important to model the uptake of breakfast provisions. Initially the blog post was supposed to analyse the Labour Party's position on the welfare system, and I had completed all the research for this initial blog. However, the publication process for this piece proved to be a challenge. At first, I felt that I had wasted a lot of time preparing a piece of work that could not be completed but throughout the process I learnt a very interesting way that non-profit organisations work.

Due to the fact that a general election in the UK is soon, all the charities that tackle food insecurity want to present a similar stance. This means that even a small blog post that criticised a different policy would jeopardise the unity of charities and undermine their collective credibility. This helped me understand the way that multiple charities work together to hold the government accountable and that every piece of public communication has been deliberately chosen. It was eye-opening to discover that charities operate in a coordinated manner. This unity effectively serves as a de facto coalition, enabling them to exert substantial pressure on the government. In my personal experience, I had the opportunity to formally request uptake data regarding breakfast provisions from Welsh local government councils, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I found immense gratitude in the level of independence and responsibility I was entrusted with for my work. This sense of personal accountability added a deep attachment and meaning to the research I was involved in.

Through this experience, I rekindled my passion for research, reminding me of the special place it holds in my heart. The ability to unearth valuable information that will have a long-lasting impact on the charity’s campaign has been incredibly rewarding. This leadership-in-action project not only deepened my appreciation for research but also reshaped my perception of leadership, emphasizing the central role of attention to detail in the research process. It has further solidified my determination to continue my journey in research, knowing that a meticulous approach can truly make a meaningful difference. Working on my LiA project at Magic Breakfast has been a privilege and an unforgettable steppingstone as I embark on my career path.