The Haven Wolverhampton are bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Community Grants initiative. Tesco works with community charity Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £1,500, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects.
Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
The Haven Wolverhampton is one of the groups on the shortlist.
A grant will ensure The Haven can provide vital food and food vouchers for children and their mums who arrive into their emergency accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse, often with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.
“Sadly, one of the main tactics abusers use to dominate their partners is economic abuse, which can leave women without access to their own bank accounts or any independent income. When women and children have escaped the immediate danger of abuse, many do not have access to money for basic needs, including food. As such, it is vital we can support children and their mums with access to food and food vouchers – so they can start to heal physically while we support them emotionally through a range of holistic support, to look ahead to a brighter future.”
Voting is open in all Tesco stores in April, May and June and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.
Tesco’s Community Grants scheme has already provided over £90 million to more than 40,000 projects across Britain. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every three months, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.
Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Tesco Community Grants help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”
Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “Tesco Community Grants continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive. By funding services which support young people and reduce food poverty, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”
Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities, particularly those helping to provide food and giving children the support they need for a good start in life. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/communitygrants.
Participating stores are:
Tesco Express, Bushbury, WV10 8PN
Tesco Express, Claregate, WV6 9ED
Tesco Superstore, Wolverhampton, WV2 4NJ
Tesco Express, Eastfield, WV1 2HD
Tesco Express, Penn Rd, WV4 4DF
Tesco Express, Wolverhampton, WV3 7BW
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Notes to editors:
- So far Tesco Community Grants has awarded more than £90 million to over 40,000 community projects.
- For more information please visit: www.tesco.com/communitygrants.
- For more information about The Haven Wolverhampton visit: https://www.havenrefuge.org.uk/
