What a year!
2025 was the year the government extended access to free school meals in England to all those children in families on Universal Credit, something I had long campaigned for.
AND it was the year the government committed to updating the School Food Standards, again something I have shouted about lots and many of you have supported too (this work continues – watch this space for updates as I have had the chance to be involved on a deeper level too.
Last year’s review ended with me saying “Here’s hoping there is better news for food policy and poverty action.” I think it has been a better year but there is still more to do.
Another, more personal highlight was being able to work with the World Cancer Research Fund again. If you missed my new recipes, do check them out here.
But it’s not all about the big organisations though. I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful clients this year, either one to one or in my workshops. Check out some feedback below.
One to ones
I have worked with little ones up to those who have far more life experience than I do. I have supported clients with weight loss, weight gain, strengthening muscle, reducing cholesterol, fertility nutrition, family nutrition alongside general healthier eating…
Check out what some of them said below
Pregnancy, weaning and early years work
- Delivered postnatal nutrition workshops which are now being promoted by local midwives and I get the opportunity to join the antenatal classes to talk about nutrition too.
- Had information stalls at Manchester Baby Week with Manchester City Council, Manchester Active‘s event in Wythenshawe and multiple John Lewis All Things Baby events
- Ran the First Foods Course multiple times
- Continued to head up the NHD Paediatric Hub quarterly writing articles and providing news.
- Did lots of campaigning around school food and Healthy Start, including being an author on a Cross Parliamentary report by the Fit and Healthy Childhood CPG on nutrition in early years (which included a trip to the Houses of Parliament!)
Nutrition for adults
- Conducted a review of the food provision at 2 care homes in Greater Manchester to support the manager to provide the best for the residents
- Delivered a nutrition workshop at a wellbeing day for staff at a college in Liverpool, and other corporate wellbeing workshops online
- Adapted the ‘Eating well during menopause’ on demand workshop into an in person workshop alongside physiotherapist Holly Shanahan who led a session on pilates for menopause
- And of course, supported many adults 1-1.
Support for other nutritionists and nutrition students to develop their careers
- Continued to offer the RNutr peer support circle and support for ANutr, as well as delivered the one to one nutrition consultations training and Nutrition Skills Workshop on using AI in nutrition communications.
- Guest lectured at the University of Chester and Oxford Brookes University
- Supported many nutritionists to set up their own businesses through the consultancy package
- Supported 13 students to register as ANutr through my portfolio service – it’s been a busy year with AfN route to registration changing for ANutr. It’s feedback like the one below that encourage me to continue this work.
- Continued to work to support the AfN Development Framework which provides support to ANutr
Community work highlights
- Supporting our local park (I chair the Friends group) to get Thriving in the Britain in Bloom awards again
- Continuing to support families through the toddler group I run (that’s why I don’t work on Mondays!)
Acknowledgements
Thank you especially to my husband, Andrew, who is my biggest cheerleader. And to my chief tasters – my children. And to all those who have been part of this journey. Next year I will have been working as a nutritionist for 20 years, and as a freelancer for 15, I’ve come a long way and have loved supporting people in their food journey.
If you have read this far, you are one of those people to thank. I appreciate you.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026 for nutritional health.