Borough community groups benefit from emergency grants

Through its Bags of Help initiative, and as part of the retailer’s emergency response in supporting local communities, Tesco provided a single payment of £500 to organisations which support vulnerable groups. This included support for organisations which experienced increased demand or disruption to services as a result of lockdown, or to fund new community services.

Over the last six months, the grants, which form part of the retailer’s £30million package of support to help local communities tackling the Coronavirus outbreak, have helped to support in excess of 8,000 groups across the UK, totalling more than £4 million.

Some groups in the borough which have benefitted from the grant include Rehability, All About Us - ASD Teens, Rock Family Chapel.

And although the £500 funding has come to an end, the supermarket is now announcing a further extension to its Bags of Help initiative over the next two months, which will see it give away £1,000 grants to support youth groups across the region.

Organisations that can apply include those supporting mental health, offering outdoor and educational activities, helping young carers, providing bereavement counselling, and assisting those in poverty or at risk.

Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Over the next few months, we’ve extended our Bags of Help funding round this year to youth groups, which could qualify for some financial support to the tune of £1,000.”

The process is managed through Tesco’s partner charity Groundwork’s website. Any groups that would benefit from this funding are encouraged to apply here: www.tescobagsofhelp.org.uk