Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme.
Stronger Starts provides grant awards of up to £1,500 to local community projects, with a particular focus on children and young people.
Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive grant awards and Tesco customers can vote for the group they think should take away the top award in their local Tesco store.
Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) is one of the groups on the shortlist in Reading.
The Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) supports migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking women by offering free English conversation classes with crèche support. Learning English helps women feel confident, access opportunities such as employment and volunteering, and build friendships, while their children are cared for safely. This support empowers mothers to thrive, reduces isolation, and creates brighter futures for families. With your Tesco vote, you’ll help women and children grow, connect, and truly belong in our community.
“We are truly grateful to be chosen from so many wonderful charities. This support will make a life-changing difference for local women and children, helping them to learn, grow, and build brighter futures together.” (Aisha Malik, CEO of Reading Community Learning Centre)
Voting is open in all Tesco stores from October 2025 until mid-January 2026. Customers will cast their vote using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.
The following local stores will be able to take your votes;
Caversham Express Express RG4 8AU
Reading Green Park Express Express RG2 6BW
Emmer Green Express Express RG4 8RZ
Reading Huntley Express Express RG1 3GX
Reading Shinfield Express Express RG2 8HA
Reading Extra Extra RG1 8DF
Southcote Express Express RG30 2EU
Reading Whitley Street Express Express RG2 0EG
Reading Silverdale Road Express Express RG6 7NG
Tilehurst Reading Express Express RG31 6FA
Reading West Extra Extra RG30 1AW
Crown Street Express Express RG1 2SE
Reading Market Place Express Express RG1 2EG
Reading Oxford Road Express Express RG1 7LA
Burghfield Common Express Express RG7 3JB
Reading Castle Express Express RG1 7TN
Oxford Road Reading Express Express RG1 7PX
Reading London Road Express Express RG1 5BA
This £5m Stronger Starts grant programme, delivered in partnership with charity Groundwork, 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.
Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit tescoplc.com/strongerstarts
For more information please visit: tescoplc.com/strongerstarts
