1,700 Suffolk pupils afraid of going to school hungry, report shows
The report also said cost of living pressures were an increasing concern among pupils
Around 1,700 Suffolk pupils are afraid of going to school hungry, a report has found.
The data was a result of the My Health, Our Future (MHoF) research programme which analysed over 13,000 mental and well-being surveys from children and young people in Suffolk, the majority of which were aged between 11 and 14.
The data, set to be discussed by the county council’s health and wellbeing board on Thursday, put together by Healthwatch Suffolk is used by schools, colleges, and integrated care boards to improve support.
It found, despite a slight improvement since 2021, that young people in Suffolk on average still score lower in well-being in comparison to 2017 data, and even lower in comparison to young people across the country.
The MHoF report also said cost of living pressures were an increasing concern among pupils, with nearly a quarter of pupils, or 2,895, reporting they were either worried or very worried about the impact it was having on their lives and their families.
Financial worries stretch even further, with around 1,700 worried they will go to school hungry, 2,200 worried about being able to afford a school uniform, and 1,570 worried about being able to afford hygiene products.