Healthy Meals Help Children Thrive At Wester Common After-School

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With almost 40%1 of people in north Glasgow living with food insecurity, three local organisations are stepping in to do their bit to help families in the area.

Young People’s Futures (YPF) run an after-school club, where primary-aged children can enjoy a healthy menu, as well as breakfast at home the next morning, provided by The Courtyard Pantry and funded by the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.

By using food as a force for change, The Courtyard Pantry tackles poverty in the local community. They offer healthy, affordable meals and create job opportunities, training and volunteer roles for those who struggle to find work. By working with local services, the The Courtyard Pantry also helps people to connect socially and access vital support services, easing the stress of financial difficulties.

Their innovative ‘Health by Stealth’ menu, developed with the University of Glasgow’s Public Health Nutritionist team, ensures children receive nutrient-dense, tasty meals designed to meet Scottish dietary requirements. Since the menu launched, attendance at the YPF club has tripled – clear proof of the impact good food has on children’s engagement and wellbeing.

The project had initially been funded with ad-hoc donations and reserve funds. These began to run out, however, and Young People’s Futures – though delighted with the programme’s success – weren't in a position to cover the costs themselves.

With food provision under threat at YPF due to lack of funds, The Courtyard Pantry turned to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, which stepped in with a £5,600 donation.

The donation will fund 14 weeks of meals for around 80 children each week and provide breakfast bags for them to take home after the club.

Dale Todd, Managing Director of The Courtyard Pantry said,

“We are grateful to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for funding our after-school club food programme. With food insecurity in the community reaching 40%, ensuring children have access to nutritious food is crucial. Thanks to the Trust’s support, we can continue to assist primary-aged children attending Young People’s Futures After School Club in Wester Common.”

David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group, added,

“The Courtyard Pantry has made a real difference in this community for years, and we’re proud to help them tackle food insecurity. No child should learn on an empty stomach – and with this initiative, children can focus on school without hunger holding them back.”

This funding means children in Wester Common will have access to healthy meals and a brighter start to each day.

Photos:

Community Market at the Courtyard Pantry
Community-grown vegetables at Courtyard Pantry
Dale Todd, Managing Director of Courtyard Pantry Enterprise
David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group

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lindaandrews071
Mar 26
2 min read

Responding to the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“The Chancellor’s announcement of a £2.2 billion boost to defence spending plays directly into Hampshire’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering."

“We are central to the UK’s defence sector and so it was great to hear Rachel Reeves’ specific commitment to regenerate and secure the future of Portsmouth Naval Base. Similarly, we welcome her announcement of more investment in export finance to enable our defence contractors to do more in global markets."

“Hampshire’s role as an engine of growth will also be helped by the moves she announced to make it easier for our smaller firms to land defence contracts through easier procurement. We in the business community in Hampshire stand ready to work with the government to ensure our manufacturing, defence and engineering sectors are at the very heart of modern industrial strategy."

“There is a dire need for the government to accelerate and clarify how capital investment and industrial strategy will combine to unlock growth. Many businesses had their confidence knocked badly by the autumn 2024 Budget and the imminent cost pressures that will flow from that as early as April. We anticipate a difficult next year to 18 months, not helped by global turbulence and other risk factors, and so government must work with us".

“That includes support for our two Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for Hampshire. These are designed to ensure workplaces can find and retain the talent they need and young people can progress their career development. To strengthen this activity, we call on ministers to champion employer-led engagement, extend investment in LSIPs and bridge the gap between education and work."

“Businesses are innovative and will always seek markets where they can sell their advantage, quality of service and added value, but we need the government to truly deliver on its strategy for growth so we can restore the confidence to invest in the skills of our people, explore and exploit market opportunities and achieve prosperity.”

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Healthy Meals Help Children Thrive At Wester Common After-School

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