Gordano School is excited to be in the running for a grant from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme, which supports local community projects with awards of up to £1,500.

Voting will commence from the first week in July 2025 until the end of September 2025 in the Clevedon and Congresbury Express Tesco stores and customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.

The project — Teach Teens a Trade — is all about getting young people active, outdoors, and engaged in something hands-on and healthy. With a focus on construction, students will benefit from fresh air, physical activity, and real-world teamwork — all while building confidence, mental focus, and positive routines.

For some students, traditional classroom learning can be difficult, but working outside on practical tasks in a team, they thrive. This project offers a reason to stay motivated and form strong connections with peers and staff — all through meaningful activity.

Re-purposing an outdoor space would provide a powerful opportunity for students to learn a new, enjoyable skill they can carry into future careers and community projects. Parents are already voicing their support, recognising the value of an initiative that boosts health, resilience, and purpose.

Tesco’s Stronger Starts – previously known as Tesco Community Grants - has already
provided over £117 million to more than 67,000 projects across Britain. This £5m Stronger Starts grant programme, delivered in partnership with Groundwork UK, helps schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and sports equipment for after-school clubs.

Claire de Silva, Tesco UK Head of Communities and Local Media, said: “Helping schools and children’s groups access the food and resources they need is vitally important in getting children a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration, and ultimately achieve more too."

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: “As a community charity, we have seen first-hand how schools and other groups supporting young people have been playing a much bigger role in ensuring children are getting a healthy start to the day and getting access to spaces and services to support physical activity and mental health. Family budgets are tight and school budgets are tight, but it’s so important that children stay fed, fit and focused, so we’re delighted to be able to prioritise these activities alongside Tesco with the Stronger Starts programme.”

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.