A school in Newtownabbey has received a £1,000 funding boost from Tesco to help 145 pupils develop essential life skills through a new cookery programme.
Rosstulla School has been awarded the funding through Tesco’s Fruit & Veg Grants scheme for its Empower Rosstulla project, which aims to help children and young people with additional needs, aged three to 19 build confidence and independence by learning to prepare simple meals and snacks for themselves.
Launched at the beginning of October, the project focuses on practical skills that pupils can use in their everyday lives, both at school and at home. The funding is also being used to purchase ingredients from the local Tesco store, as well as essential cooking equipment such as bowls and wooden spoons.
Held every week in the school kitchen and two Home Economics classrooms, the sessions encourage pupils to prepare quick, easy dishes, from wraps, beans on toast and jacket potatoes to pasta with vegetables, wheaten bread and homemade soda bread pizzas.
Teachers have already noticed a positive response, particularly among children with sensory issues who previously would have been reluctant even to touch certain foods. Pupils are now rolling up their sleeves, mixing ingredients and becoming more adventurous in their food choices.
Teacher Wendi Stevenson said: “At Rosstulla School we are thrilled to have been awarded a Tesco Stronger Starts Grant of £1,000. This funding will enable us to enhance the life skills of all our students from Nursery to Key Stage 5 through this targeted cookery programme. We sincerely thank Tesco and its customers for choosing our project and investing in the future of our young people.”
The grant forms part of Tesco’s Fruit & Veg Grants scheme, which awards funds of £500, £1,000, and up to £1,500 to charities and community organisations that make a positive difference to children and improve their access to free fruit and veg to support a healthy, nutritious diet.
Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “We’re delighted that we can help organisations such as Rosstulla School, which are at the heart of their communities. Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants invites customers to vote using their blue token for local schemes that they feel are important to help our communities thrive, and it’s good to see the impact that the funding makes.”
Tesco’s Fruit & Veg Grants scheme, delivered in partnership with Groundwork UK, provides funding to local schools and community groups to help bring healthy eating projects to life. The scheme forms part of Tesco’s wider Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, which aims to help one million children access free fruit and vegetables and build healthier habits for the future.
To apply for Fruit & Veg Grants scheme funding, go online at https://www.tescoplc.com/