My family are from Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and I grew up in Dagenham. My mum often used to invite children into our house for beans on toast after school. I remember watching them eating with urgency. My mum used to say they didn’t have enough at home to keep them going. That stayed with me.
Carmel McConnell MBE, Our Founder
Share your magic story with us
As a parent, teacher or caregiver, have you experienced the positive effects of enjoying breakfast together on children and young people? Has Magic Breakfast made a difference in your community? We’d love to hear from you.
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Charlotte, Volunteer Hero
I love bringing them all breakfast and knowing that the children have had something. If I was a parent who wasn’t able to do that at home, that would make me happy and would let me not worry as much because I know that they have had breakfast.
You can see [breakfast] makes a difference. It’s not just something to eat, but their behaviour, their mood, their general aura – it changes. It keeps them going and it allows them to be their best.”
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Engagement Partner
I had a wonderful visit to a Primary School in Birmingham. I was lucky enough to be there on their first morning of toasting crumpets – safe to say, they were an absolute hit! I heard several children shout ‘YAY!’ when they were offered out by staff. I witnessed one little girl stop and run straight over to the crumpets!
The most moving moment for me was I noticed a little girl, Laura, sitting alone in the club looking rather sad. I went over and chatted to her but she was quite withdrawn. I asked if she’d had, or wanted, anything to eat and she said no.
I explained that I was from Magic Breakfast and was there to find out if the children liked the cereal, bagels and crumpets. As I said crumpet she looked straight at me and said, ‘I’d like a crumpet.’ I went to fetch one and promised I would pass on to my team that Laura liked the crumpets. The power of breakfast.”