We are very lucky to have the opportunity to take part in the Tesco Community Grant scheme which is live in all stores across the city until 30th September 2023. 

 

Tesco Community Grants fund thousands of local community projects across the UK (just like us), helping to fight holiday hunger, tackle mental health, support young people, host community events and much more. 

 

Tesco Community Grants helps to fund thousands of local projects across the country. Since 2016 the scheme has supported over 36,000 community groups with more than £85million in grants. The scheme aims to make a positive difference – because where our communities thrive, the business and their colleagues thrive too. 

 

If you are shopping in any of the Tesco stores listed below, please ask for a blue token and pop it in the collection point. The charity with the most blue tokens at the end of the period will receive £1,500, the second place charity will receive £1,000 and the third place charity will receive £500. 

 

The grant will allow us to improve our Digital Inclusion services across the region, as well as heavily invest in digital making activities for young people. Our digital making activities are near capacity, and this grant would allow us to buy new equipment and overall improve our services that benefit so many people across North Yorkshire. 

 

We’re North Yorkshire’s leading digital inclusivity charitable organisation, founded in York in 2016. We run free digital making activities across North Yorkshire, including York, Selby, Harrogate and Northallerton, bringing coding activities to young people across the region (for free), allowing them to try STEM skills, and allowing all young people to get the same opportunities. These activities promote problem solving skills, alongside creativity and maths, and we are working to make computer science an inclusive subject for all. In 2022, we also launched our new Digital Inclusion support services, supporting the residents of York to have the choice and opportunity to get online and provide support in doing so. Over 1 in 20 households have no internet access, neither fixed line nor mobile. We run numerous monthly Digital Cafe services across the city of York. They are free face-to-face support sessions, where residents can come down for a warm drink and ask any questions they might have about digital devices and getting online. Our volunteers are able to support residents with a wide range of issues, from actually setting up a device, finding out about broadband, creating an email address, signing up for the NHS app to get in touch with a GP, finding out how to get support online and visit City of York Council services, to general questions on how to stay connected online and be scam aware. We’re opening up even more Digital Cafes throughout the year, making sure a resident doesn’t have to travel too far to get face-to-face support, with our volunteers on hand to support every resident to the best of our ability. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect households in our region, our volunteers are a vital face-to-face service signposting residents to other vital services, helping them apply for support, and also working with them to get devices, access Wi-Fi and keep connected in what is becoming an even more digital world, with vital information and support moving online. No question is too small and our volunteers are able to provide one-off and continuous support through walk-ins, referrals and email/telephone support. With our services more than doubling post-pandemic, our volunteers will always be there to support everyone who needs us. 

 

This grant will enable us to improve our Digital Inclusion services, helping more residents to get the option to get online and overall improve access to health, support and combat loneliness. It will also allow us to invest in our digital making activities, allowing us to get new equipment and to allow more young people to learn STEM skills and overall have an equal access to education, regardless of school catchment areas. 

Tesco York Low Ousegate Express, YO1 8QX 

Tesco Piccadilly York Express, YO1 9TU 

Tesco York Tadcaster Road Extra, YO24 1LW 

Tesco York Acomb Wood Express, YO24 3XN 

We couldn't do what we do without your help, so please do consider using your blue token to support our work. 

 

Our services improve the lives of hundreds of residents every year, both at our face-to-face services and through our online support. 

 

We're here for North Yorkshire.