Taunton Opportunity Group (TOG) has been shortlisted to receive a grant award from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme.

Stronger Starts provides grant awards of up to £1,500 to local community projects. 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.

TOG is a specialist preschool provision for children with a wide range of special educational needs living in Taunton Deane and its surrounding areas. Formed in 1972 as a volunteer led group, TOG is now a registered charity based in Wooden Spoon House. TOG offers morning sessions, lunch club, a weekly baby group, Multi-Sensory Unit sessions and SEND parent/carer support. For more information, please visit our website or call us on 01823 284550.

TOG’s snack-time and allotment provision project will fund healthy snacks for its children as well as the creation of a designated allotment zone where children can learn about and get involved in the food growing process. For children with more complex needs, the smells and textures associated with gardening will aid their comprehension of the world around them.

The TOG team are delighted this project will be voted on. Holly Burchett, Chair of Trustees, said: “The health and wellbeing of our children is of paramount importance, and we are extremely grateful to have this opportunity to fund a greater range of nutritional snack options and a space for our children to explore the food growing process.”

From the beginning of July to the end of September, Taunton’s Tesco customers can vote for the group they think should take away the top award. Customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.

Tesco’s Stronger Starts, previously known as Tesco Community Grants, has already provided over £133 and over 65,000 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.