Campaign plan
Spring/Summer 2026
Embedded Files
2025 was a big year for this powerful coalition. From progress in Parliament to the extension of Free School Meals to 500,000+ more children, we've made massive strides in the right direction.
We're building on that momentum by growing the coalition, strengthening hubs of local activity and continuing to make the political case for Free School Meals for All.
We’ll keep you updated on upcoming events – for now, here’s some highlights of what’s coming up:
🗓️ March
Launch of a 6-month countdown to September (deliverthedinners.org.uk) when children from families on Universal Credit will start to receive Free School Meals. We’ll share materials and more opportunities to take action in the coalition toolkit to help you amplify this countdown throughout spring.
🗓️ April-May
Release of new polling data on public support for Free School Meals for All. Updates on the content and timings coming soon.
🗓️June-July
Celebrity and coalition growth press moment
Local actions in target towns and cities
Annual No Child Left Behind conference - 26 June 2026
Watch back:
coalition briefing call
Watch back:
coalition briefing call
On 30 January, we held a briefing call to share the plan for 2026.
Watch the video recording to learn what we're planning and recap on next steps. ➡️
StrategyCall.mp45 year-round things you can do to keep building the momentum 🌟
5 year-round things you can do to keep building the momentum 🌟
These are some ways you can get involved in the campaign. Read below to get more information.
1️⃣ Grow the coalition
1️⃣ Grow the coalition
350+ civil society groups and leaders who have signed our joint open letter to the Prime Minister. That includes charities, medical bodies, unions, councils, mayors, community organisations, faith leaders and many more.
We are building up momentum as we head towards a media moment this summer.
2️⃣ Build local petitions
2️⃣ Build local petitions
We’ve shown what’s possible when we get organised in our communities. That's why we're now building new hubs of activity in Birmingham, Sunderland and across towns in the Greater Manchester Area that can win over local MPs, Metro Mayors and create opportunities to influence the Prime Minister.
Our local petitions target MPs in: Birmingham, Oldham, Trafford, Wigan and Sunderland, home to the Education Secretary.
If your organisation covers areas that include one of these towns/cities, click below to see how you can build support where you are to show your local MPs just how popular and overdue Free School Meals for All is.
Sunderland local meeting, March 2026.
3️⃣ Build the next celebrity moment
3️⃣ Build the next celebrity moment
The Free School Meals for All open letter already has the backing of 28 major public figures, from Kate Winslet to Olivia Colman to Joy Crookes.
For our June milestone, we’re looking to assemble a fresh slate of household names to stand behind Free School Meals for All. See the current list of public figures at this link.
If you have any ideas for who to reach out to, or connections to make it happen, let us know. Send an email to campaigns@nochildleftbehind.org.uk and start the conversation.
4️⃣ Contribute to the Food for Thought page
4️⃣ Contribute to the Food for Thought page
As part of the ongoing effort to build the case for Free School Meals for All with MPs, civil society leaders and the media, we’re highlighting different perspectives on why Free School Meals for All is so important.
Check out the current articles here.
Do you have something to share? It could be something you’ve already written, or an idea for something new. Send an email to campaigns@nochildleftbehind.org.uk and let us know what you’re thinking.
5️⃣ Stay up to date with the campaign
5️⃣ Stay up to date with the campaign
If you have other ideas for how you'd like to take part in the campaign, please let us know.
We're always interested to hear about the different ways communities are showing up for Free School Meals for All. Email us on campaigns@nochildleftbehind.org.uk
In the meantime, follow us on social media, and stay tuned for more.
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