Swindonians are being urged to play an active role in enhancing the lives of children and community groups by participating in a unique initiative at Tesco stores in the town.
Ahead of the retailers latest adverts launching the new Stronger Starts campaign, starting August 18th, shoppers of Swindon’s Tesco stores will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the local community groups.
By simply visiting their nearest store, shoppers can place a little blue token, received at the checkout, into a designated voting box making the choice between three local projects dedicated to the welfare of young individuals.
This initiative aims to provide substantial support to schools and children’s groups by providing grants of up to £1,500 to provide nutritious food and healthy activities that aid physical health and mental well-being, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and equipment for healthy activities.
Within Swindon’s Tesco stores, two of the three blue token voting boxes positioned near the checkouts are allocated to local schools. The third, however, is reserved for community projects nominated by the colleagues of each store. Every customer holds the power to make a choice – the blue token they cast will be a voice in the determination of which of the three projects gains their support.
Local schools and children’s groups within Swindon that stand to benefit from the Stronger Starts grants are also actively encouraged to apply for this aid. The application process can be started by visiting the official website: www.tescoplc.com/strongerstarts.
Speaking passionately about this Stroger Starts initiative, Claire De Silva, the Head of Communities and Local Media, expressed, “We are so excited to be bringing schools and children’s projects our Stronger Starts grants. Our aim is to inspire children who deserve the opportunity to thrive and give our customers the chance to vote with their blue tokens for their local schools and children’s projects that need extra help.”
The scheme, supported by UK community charity Groundwork, replaces the former Tesco Community Grants funding programme.
Recent research from Groundwork found that 78% of schools are currently having to provide food for children from their own budget.
In addition, Stronger Starts research carried out by Tesco in July found that more than half (51%) of parents agree that their child struggles to concentrate at school if they do not have breakfast.
The grant scheme has been designed to provide aid to 1,350 schools every quarter, contributing an impressive sum of £1.35 million across 675 communities scattered throughout the United Kingdom.
