Waterloo Road & Natasha’s Foundation Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Food Allergies in Schools
A Powerful Food Allergy Storyline on BBC’s Waterloo Road
Actress Savannah Kunyo, plays student Hope Drake in Waterloo Road
A new storyline in the BBC school drama *Waterloo Road is shining a spotlight on the life-threatening risks of food allergies in secondary schools.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, worked closely with the writers to ensure the storyline accurately reflects the challenges faced by pupils with food allergies and about how schools should respond in a food allergy emergency.
In the episode, student Hope Drake (played by Savannah Kunyo - pictured opposite), who has a severe allergy to dairy, experiences anaphylaxis at school. The dramatic event highlights the reality of what can happen when pupils are not fully protected.
(*contains some upsetting scenes)
Protecting pupils and supporting teachers | Allergy School
Why Food Allergy Awareness in Schools Matters
Around 2 pupils in every classroom have a diagnosed food allergy.
1 in 5 allergic reactions to food happen in school.
Yet research by Natasha’s Foundation and the NASUWT teachers’ union found:
67% of teachers have had no allergy awareness training.
1 in 5 teachers have never been shown how to use an adrenaline auto-injector.
Almost 60% of teachers don’t know if their school even has an allergy policy.
This variation in standards can put lives at risk, which is why Natasha’s Foundation is stepping in with practical solutions.
How to respond in a food allergy emergency
Free Allergy School Resources for Secondary Schools
To coincide with Waterloo Road’s food allergy storyline, Natasha’s Foundation has launched FREE new resources for secondary schools through its Allergy School programme.
This FREE support is designed to help schools increase food allergy awareness, improve safeguards, and empower, include and protect pupils with food allergies.
It includes:
A self-assessment tool for Secondary Schools.
Best practice guidance for food allergy policies and safeguards.
A short training film for staff and students on how to respond in a food allergy emergency.
👉 Sign up for FREE to access these resources at www.allergyschool.org.uk
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE
Supporting Schools & Safeguarding Pupils through Food Allergy Awareness
“We are delighted that Waterloo Road chose to create a storyline around food allergies, and that The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation was able to work closely with them.
Too often food allergies are misrepresented in the media, but this commitment to getting the facts right helps raise awareness in a way that could truly save lives.”
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, Founder of Natasha’s Foundation
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer
Bringing Food Allergies into the Spotlight
“The show can be an amazing vehicle to raise issues that young people and families face.
We’re so grateful for the support and guidance from Natasha’s Foundation in helping us tell this important story.”
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer of Waterloo Road
Sarah Pattison, Allergy Parent
Helping Teenagers Navigate Food Allergies at School
“When young people start secondary school, the expectations on them to manage their own food allergies suddenly increase.
The responsibility for making the right food choices at lunch and break times, carrying and administering their own medication, disclosing their food allergies to peers and school staff, and mentally risk assessing situations to keep themselves safe can weigh heavily.
The new free Allergy School resources will support secondary schools to be safe, supportive and inclusive places for learners with food allergies.”
Sarah Pattison, whose son with multiple severe food allergies is at secondary school
Wesley Davis, CEO The Two Counties Trust
A National Campaign for Food Allergy Awareness in Schools
“At The Two Counties Trust the safety and wellbeing of our students is at the heart of everything we do. We are delighted to be working with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation as part of their Secondary Education Pilot. This collaboration is an important step in strengthening how we safeguard our young people with allergies and ensuring students and staff are well-informed and confident to support each other.
We are excited to be part of this national campaign and believe it has the potential to make a lasting difference by raising awareness and ultimately saving lives.”
Wesley Davis, CEO of The Two Counties Trust, Nottinghamshire
About Allergy School
Allergy School is a £1million educational programme from Natasha’s Foundation that provides free resources to help schools empower, protect, and include children with food allergies.
Originally launched for nurseries and primary schools, Allergy School is now extending into secondary schools to give teachers and staff the tools they need to keep pupils safe.
👉 Find out more and sign up at www.allergyschool.org.uk