We are thrilled to share that Enable Ability’s Landport and Paulsgrove Playschemes have been awarded the top grant of £1,500 through Tesco’s Stronger Starts Blue Token Scheme, thanks to the incredible support of customers like you!
The scheme allows Tesco customers to show their support by picking up a blue token at the checkout and placing it in the voting column for their chosen charity or community group. Running across local Portsmouth Tesco stores from 1st October 2024 to 15th January 2025, the initiative gave shoppers the chance to help fund vital projects in their community.
This funding will go directly towards supporting our Landport and Paulsgrove playschemes during the holiday periods, helping to cover food costs, hiring a pizza oven, and facilitating swimming sessions and other activities- all designed to keep our children active, engaged, and healthy.
Our inclusive playschemes provide a safe and inclusive space for children aged 5-11 with mild to moderate additional needs and anxieties, giving them opportunities to experience activities they may not otherwise have access to. Whether it’s making their own pizzas, enjoying the water, or simply building confidence in a fun, supportive environment, these moments make a real difference.
This grant will help us support around 130 children, so we are incredibly grateful to all the Tesco customers who voted for us- it truly means so much and will make a huge difference to the children we support.”
Hollie, Enable Ability
Hollie, our Partnerships and Events Officer, and Mia, Landport Playscheme Team Leader, were delighted to meet with Gemma, Tesco Fratton’s Community Champion, for this special cheque presentation!
A huge thank you to Tesco ‘Stronger Starts’ and everyone who voted for us- your support helps us continue creating opportunities for local children to thrive!
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To boost funds for extra food and activity equipment, Tesco is introducing a £5m grant programme, in partnership with Groundwork UK, to give children across the UK a stronger start in life. The grants will help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and equipment for healthy activities.
Tesco’s Stronger Starts – previously Tesco Bags of Help and Tesco Community Grants – has already provided over £115 million to more than 65,000 projects across Britain.
Claire de Silva, Tesco UK Head of Communities and Local Media, said: “Helping schools and children’s groups access the food and resources they need is vitally important in getting children a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration, and ultimately achieve more too.”
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: “As a community charity, we have seen first-hand how schools and other groups supporting young people have been playing a much bigger role in ensuring children are getting a healthy start to the day and getting access to spaces and services to support physical activity and mental health. Family budgets are tight and school budgets are tight, but it’s so important that children stay fed, fit and focused, so we’re delighted to be able to prioritise these activities alongside Tesco with the Stronger Starts programme.”
Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. To find out more visit tescoplc.com/strongerstarts
#tescostrongerstarts
