Russell Hobbs campaign uses classrooms to drive purpose-led engagement

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Staffordshire has won a nationwide schools competition from home appliance brand Russell Hobbs and charity Action Against Hunger, aimed at raising awareness of nutrition and global hunger.

The ‘Plates for Change’ initiative, part of a three-year partnership between the two organisations, invited pupils to design plates reflecting their understanding of nutrition and hunger. More than 900 entries were submitted from over 550 primary schools.

Entries were judged by a panel including Crystelle Pereira and Monica Galetti, who assessed designs for creativity and grasp of nutritional themes. Brock’s Hill Primary School in Leicester and Sandwich Junior School in Kent were named runners-up.

The campaign, delivered with We Are Futures and the National Schools Partnership, provided curriculum-linked resources before inviting pupils to respond creatively. As part of the prize, St Mary’s pupils will take part in a cooking demonstration led by Pereira, while winning schools will receive appliances and have their designs reproduced on commemorative plates.

Russell Hobbs has pledged at least £270,000 over three years to support Action Against Hunger, with the partnership positioning everyday cooking as a vehicle for social impact.