Tesco has reached a milestone, having invested over £100 million in funding to support 50,880 community projects across the UK.
The Tesco Community Grants scheme, created in partnership with, and run by charity Groundwork, has been helping communities since 2015, awarding projects helping to tackle food insecurity and offer Covid-19 emergency support, as well as focusing on areas such as arts and culture, sport and education.
The programme has also helped raise awareness of homelessness, funded breakfast clubs and school activities, and supported veterans through charities based in garrison towns.
The leading retailer‘s Community Impact Report highlighted that the project focus of ‘improving health and wellbeing’ was awarded the highest number of grants at 15,091 over the last eight years, totalling to over £30.3m.
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‘Creating a better environment’ also saw 5,160 grants at £17.2m in funding and ‘physical improvements to an outdoor space’ saw 3,207 of the grants provided, also receiving over £17m.
“More than ever we are seeing how local groups are making a big difference to the lives of those in their communities,” Tesco UK & ROI CEO, Jason Tarry said.
“More recently during Covid and now during the current cost-of-living crisis, they are sources of hope and practical help. We are immensely proud to have been able to play a part in funding their amazing work through our Tesco Community Grants scheme.”
Groundwork UK chief executive, Graham Duxbury added: “We’ve been supporting local communities to make their areas safer, stronger and more sustainable for more than 40 years and we know that some of the most effective solutions to the challenges communities face are the ones led by people who live there.
“There has never been a more important time to support the work being done by community groups, local charities and schools to keep people well and connected, to address hardship and to protect and improve the environment.
“The commitment Tesco have made to supporting communities has been phenomenal and we’ve been delighted to work with them to make sure funds get to where they’re needed most.”
