A NEW project to help hard-to-reach young people engage in physical activity is now in the bag thanks to a £5,000 grant from a Tesco funding scheme.

Called the Mettapark scheme, it aims to use a green space at Perry Wood Local Nature Reserve, Worcester, to provide an informal, accessible outdoor opportunity for the youngsters to take part in a range of physical activities.

The initiative will help their physical health, mental health, confidence and any issues of social isolation while providing a positive diversion.

The activities will run as six-week blocks on eight occasions throughout the year. They will be delivered by qualified instructors, with the long-term aim to provide a small number of young people the opportunity to become qualified coaches and leaders to take responsibility for their project.

Funding for the scheme has come from money raised by the supermarket giant through the sale of five pence single use carrier bags.

This Tesco project is called Bags of Help and grants of £1,000, £2,000 or £5,000 are awarded to community projects including ones to improve community buildings and outdoor spaces, buying new equipment, training coaches or volunteers and hosting community events.

Tesco have teamed up with environmental charity Groundworks to help run the scheme.

Millions of shoppers across the country voted in stores for the projects to get funding and Mettapark has received £5,000.

Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire youth engagement officer Ruth Jones said: “Being awarded the grant from Bags of Help is extremely beneficial to enable us to deliver this project for a group of disadvantaged young people who are at risk or already involved in the criminal justice system.

“Being outdoors has shown to have a positive effect on mental and emotional health. This project will encourage young people to access their natural environment which not only supports their ability to be physically active but also gives them a greater understanding and respect for their local community.

“This approach will empower young people to make sustainable lifestyle choices to develop and sustain a happier, healthier life.”

Lindsey Crompton, Tesco’s head of community, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from our customers. The great thing about Bags of Help is that local people are invited to decide how the money will be spent in their community. We can’t wait to see the projects come to life.”

Voting ran in stores throughout January with customers choosing which local project they would like to get the top award using a token given to them at the check-out.

Since being launched in 2015, Bags of Help has awarded more than £27 million across more than 3,500 local projects.

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp

Tesco customers will get the chance to vote for three different groups each time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Groundwork’s national chief executive Graham Duxbury said: “Bags of Help continues to fund thousands of projects across the UK. The scale and variety of activities supported by Bags of Helps shows what can be achieved when communities are given the support and the encouragement they need to make change happen in their local area.”