This week we sat down to chat with Tesco Community Champion and recent winner of a Haslemere Volunteer Award, Jo Bouslimi. Jo juggles this role within the superstore with her other role as Service Team Leader.

Jo is clearly passionate about the company’s community credentials. She told us, ‘It’s really important that a business the size of Tesco has a strong footing in the community,’ before adding, ‘I see it as my role to make it accessible for people to ask for help if they want to do something to help others locally.’

Jo certainly goes above and beyond in her role at Tesco. She is keen to invite community groups to ask for help. The Youth Hub are one of the many groups Tesco frequently help, providing food for events they host during the year. The store similarly provided free fruit and water to those taking part in the recent Gibbett Hill race and often makes a donation to the local residents at the Chestnut View Care Home. You will also see Tesco staff helping out the Weyhill in Bloom team, both planting and watering the many beautiful displays on show near the store. Jo encourages as many staff as possible to help out, clearly recognising the benefits that volunteering has for the volunteer themselves.

And Jo is keen to get children into store too. You’ll often see Jo going back to store in the evening to host visits from local Cubs, Beavers and Scouts groups. And she told us how children in the Reception Class at Camelsdale School come in each year to enjoy a tour of the store. It’s clear that it’s a popular trip, with children loving their tour of the freezers and warehouse and their time spent testing out the checkout systems!

Keep an eye out for colouring competitions in store too. Not long ago, Jo worked with Shottermill School on an anti-bullying campaign. Children could design anti-bullying posters that were displayed in store before a winner was chosen from the entrants.

She also encouraged local groups to apply to be a part of their Free Fruit and Veg for Schools scheme in store as this can provide vital funds to voluntary organisations locally. Applications to apply for up to £1500 can be made online by schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations but will need to demonstrate that they will improve children’s access to fruit and veg to support a healthy nutritious diet. Jo encouraged groups to be creative with their applications.

And she encouraged customers to use their Community Token too. ‘It’s an easy way someone can make a difference to others,’ she said.

Jo was spotted volunteering at the recent Haslemere Fringe Festival which is another event that benefits from Tesco support – they sponsored the ‘Sponsors Tent’. Asked why she chose to be involved, she told us, ‘It’s incredibly rewarding when you get involved and volunteer. All those people giving up a few hours of their time ensured that a fantastic community event like the Fringe can happen.’ She went on to say, ‘To know that you have helped an event of such importance to take place feels very special.’

We couldn’t agree more!