IFCF Partners with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
The Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has announced a three-year partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation to develop a pioneering mental health and awareness programme for young people living with food allergies.With 1 in 13 children affected and hospital admissions for severe reactions tripling over the past 20 years, food allergies pose serious emotional and social challenges. Research shows 80% of parents experience significant worry, and 42% meet the clinical threshold for PTSD symptoms.This programme will:
- Address allergy-related anxiety and mental health issues.
- Provide practical resources and support for young people and families.
- Raise awareness in schools and communities.
- Support underserved groups during key life transitions.
Founded by Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE after the tragic loss of their daughter Natasha, the Foundation is committed to making allergy history and improving lives through education, research, and advocacy.
Tarsem Dhaliwal, Trustee of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation and CEO of Iceland Foods said: “Allergy anxiety has a profound impact on many of our customers and the communities we serve. Through this partnership, we will deliver vital support to young people and families who are often left underserved by current mental health provision.
“This mental health and wellbeing programme in partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation will raise awareness of the seriousness of allergy anxiety while providing the understanding, support and resources needed to transform the lives of those affected.”
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of The Natasha Allergy Foundation, said: “Food allergies can be a debilitating and unpredictable disease, with far reaching impacts. In addition to the physical symptoms, the disease can impact on school, work, relationships and mental health, not just of those diagnosed with a food allergy but their families too. Those affected often experience extreme allergy anxiety due to the daily challenges they face. As young people grow into adulthood and begin making independent food and lifestyle choices, that anxiety can increase significantly.
“That’s why The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation is creating a mental health programme for young people affected by food allergies in partnership with Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation to address this serious challenge and provide the vital support families need – particularly during key life transitions, when mental health concerns are often heightened.”
The new partnership will enhance the mental wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of young people, parents and carers affected by food allergies – driving long-lasting positive change in their lives. For families like that of Billie Hoque, 35, from Luton, this support is vital. Billie has three children with food allergies, including her son Jess, aged 8, who is allergic to cow’s milk and has faced several near-death allergic reactions.
Billie said: “Jess faced an uphill battle at school as a result of his food allergies. The school struggled to comprehend the severity of his allergies and he was often excluded from activities or put in dangerous situations where his allergen was present.
“This led him to experience severe anxiety when he was just 4-years-old. He would wake in the night and tell me he hated school and that he felt lonely due to feeling different.
“He started to worry about what would happen to him if teachers didn’t call an ambulance on time in the event of an allergic reaction. It was a struggle to get him to school each day, from the minute he woke in the morning he would be fighting back the tears and when we eventually reached the classroom, he would cling to me, cry and tell me that he was too nervous.
“I believe Jess’s experience is similar to thousands of others and is a consequence of the stark lack of awareness and education schools have in dealing with allergic children.”
To find out more about this new partnership, visit: www.narf.org.uk
