Tesco COVID Fund Supports 300 Projects in Greater Manchester
Tesco’s COVID-19 fund provided a single payment award of £500 to organisations who have been supporting vulnerable groups through the crisis.
Maggies in Manchester was a previous beneficiary of the Tesco Bags Of Help Scheme
In the last six months, Tesco Bags of Help has awarded £4 million to over 8,000 groups across the UK, providing almost £150,000 to 300 projects in Greater Manchester. Amy Wright, Community Project Lead and local funding enabler at Groundwork Greater Manchester has been working closely with community groups across the region, offering support with their application every step of the way.
The funding has made a real impact from providing emergency supplies for those in need, helping isolated people to connect virtually and delivering activities to support young people through the crisis.
Tackling isolation has been a huge focus point for many of the applicants of the fund, and one of the groups highlighted, String Of Hearts CIC, has been doing just that by connecting over 50’s in Trafford and Wythenshawe through their love of music.
Their socially distant workshops have brought local people in the area together to challenge the stigma around ageing by creating their own music and having a good old ‘chinwag’.
Workshop in action: exploring music, learning songs and telling stories about the area. Image: Facebook – String of Hearts CIC
Bags of Help Children & Young People Grants:
Due to the continued crisis we have decided not to resume in store voting in 2020, but will be supporting Bags of help projects in a slightly different way. During October, November and December, Tesco will be providing grants of up to £1000 to support projects focused on local children and young people.
The impact of COVID-19 on young people has been significant, many have found managing their mental health and wellbeing particularly hard, child poverty has risen, barriers have been created for young carers due to social isolation, and green space provision has never been so important. The types of projects that could be funded include;
- Mental Health support for children and young people
- Outdoor activities
- Non statuary educational activities to widen educational support networks
- Support for Young Carers
- Bereavement counselling
- Child poverty and family support
- Vulnerable at risk children
Step one: Locate your local Tesco store
Find the full postcode of the nearest Tesco store to the location of your project. You’ll need this information for your application form.
(Please note your nearest Tesco store may not be the one you ordinarily shop in).
Step 2: Read guidance notes
Read our full guidance notes (click to download) to applying for funding from Bags for Help. These will help you complete the full application form.
Step 3: Take the eligibility quiz
Click to take our eligibility quiz. This short quiz will check that your project meets the basic requirements to be eligible for a Bags of Help grant. If your project meets the criteria you will be given a link to the application form.
For more information contact your local funding enabler Amy Wright for any help with your application: Amy.Wright@groundwork.org.uk
