Asda

Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb has launched our new Chatty Cafés initiative to help combat loneliness and isolation this Christmas as part of our "Don’t be Gnome Alone this Christmas" campaign.

We are transforming our store cafes into Chatty Cafes where senior citizens can come together, eat and drink, and make new friends. It follows our Christmas Community report which surveyed more than 1,000 over 60s and found that one in 10 aren't sure they will speak to anyone between December 15th and January 1st.

Larry, who shared a cuppa with customers at the launch of the scheme at our Basildon store, said: "I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family this time of year, but that’s not the case for everyone, and it’s so important that we all club together and help combat loneliness. It’s heartbreaking to think that so many over 60s in Britain might not speak to anyone at all over the extended Christmas period. Asda’s going all out to bring people in this Christmas and make them feel seen and heard, and spread a little Christmas joy. I’d urge everyone to do the same. If there’s somebody, anybody – young or old – who you know is going to be struggling for company this Christmas, pick up the phone or go and pay them a visit – and obviously, pay a visit to one of Asda’s Chatty Cafés.”

just leaving this here in case santa's watching - gnicky

"Wow Asda, your cracking Boxing Day Christmas sandwich is AMAZING! 😍 I'm absolutely in love", "One of the best shop bought sandwiches I have ever tried" and "I had the Christmas Club sandwich today it was delicious!" – just some of the great things customers are saying about our new festive sandwich range 💚

All festive sandwiches are included in the 3 for 2 meal deal in the Food To Go, and are available in stores 🛒

Asda announces Christmas sandwich range - including festive curry wrap Asda has launched its 2024 Christmas sandwich range - now available in stores and online across the UK - with two new flavours joining six fan favourites making a highly-anticipated return.

Gnome-body told you? Guess it was on the down-low 📩 ✨

Our Gnome of Christmas Market will feature 5 mini market stalls all tailored to match the individual passions and personalities of each gnome! From magical mince pies to glorious grazing, gnome-body does it better so come say hi to our gnomies 🎄

from our gnome, to yours

gnome-body guessed it was us ! hehe woops

Ashton has been reunited with her beloved plush dog Violet thanks to the detective skills of security colleague Gordon from our Dundee Kirkton store.

Ashton, who's autistic, has had Violet since she was a baby and uses her to keep her calm and grounded. She lost her one day when she fell out of her bag as she walked to college. A passer-by found the toy and put her on the wall of our car park before taking a photo and posting it on local Facebook group Dundee Lost and Found. But when her family went to pick Violet up she was no longer there. The family scoured the area with torches and even looked in bins but to no avail ... and that's when Gordon got involved, searching through CCTV tapes until he spotted that Violet had been taken down from the wall by one of our cleaning colleagues who'd spotted her but didn't know who she belonged to.

The store's community champion Sam got in touch with the family and Ashton's grandma Myra and mum Shelly were at the store within minutes to collect Violet. Shelly said: "We are so grateful to Gordon; he's a hero. We were all blown away by the kindness of everyone. It just shows the power of community.

"Ashton was absolutely distraught when she'd lost Violet – she got her for her first Christmas. She takes her everywhere with her and helps her to navigate new situations. Ashton struggles to see the world without Violet beside her. She'd just started a life skills course at college and was taking Violet there when she somehow fell out of her bag. She burst into tears when she got Violet back; she was over the moon."

Our new festive crisp flavour, Roasted Camembert and Garlic, is already a favourite with shoppers! 🎄

Customers on social media are calling it a "gamechanger" and adding them to their Christmas list. Other shoppers are saying, "Had these the other week, very nice and garlicy", "They're pretty good! The Camembert is stronger tasting than you'd expect!" and "These are nice 👍got some yesterday".

We've also brought back our other popular festive flavours of the Extra Special favourites: Beef & Red Wine Gravy and Pigs in Blankets 😋

Pick up a pack for just £1 🛒

Subject to availability in stores and online: https://bit.ly/3BVTgyN

Roasted Camembert & Garlic Crisps spotted at Asda! 🧀

It was an absolute pleasure to present the amazing Canterbury Street Pastors with an Asda Foundation cheque for £516 so they could double their work on the local streets aiding anyone and everyone in need of help, assistance or just a friendly ear to talk to.

With the weather getting colder, wetter and windier I joined them prior to their evening out on the streets of our city. The grant money has been used to buy extra rucksacks, a phone, supplies including bottled water, lollipops, first aid supplies and foil blankets.

While on patrol they also remove glass bottles and cans from the streets. Well done team.

– Theresa, Asda community champion

All Saints; Church food larder supports more than 150 families and people within the local community.

Volunteers from the church are helping raise awareness of the importance of food larders across the Canterbury area and encourage customers to reach out for help if needed. This month's collection raised £73.46 As well as seven full bags of goods donated along with a donation of Just essential products donated from my community monthly budget.

– Theresa, Asda community champion

I was thrilled to visit Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre and present them with an Asda Foundation Spaces & Places grant for £21,555.

The grant will enable them to repair and replace damaged facia boards, windows and gutters to keep the building waterproof. This will ensure they are able to help and assist all of Whitstable and the surrounding areas for years to come. The Asda Foundation recently surprised 31 different community groups across the UK with the news their grant application had been successful, including Whitstable Umbrella Centre. The grants totalling to over £600,000 range between £10,000 and £25,000 with the aim of improving community spaces in local communities across the UK. Pictured with me are Craig, Joy and Mary, a volunteer of 25 years who, along with her son and other volunteers, has lovingly transformed a rubble filled waste land into an oasis called St Mary’s Town Garden, which is open to all.

– Theresa, Asda community champion

Five-year-old Harrison, who's autistic, loves his weekly home shopping deliveries from our Canterbury store and has formed a strong bond with delivery driver Michael.

Michael always has a good chat to Harrison when he's dropping off the groceries and lets him put the empty crates onto the van too. Harrison's mum, Zoey, who posted on Facebook to thank Michael for his kindness, said: "Having his Asda delivery is definitely his favourite time of the week, and he 'happy stims' every time he sees the van. It’s made even better when you have a lovely delivery driver like Michael." Michael said: "Harrison is a great little lad who always has a smile on his face no matter how bad the weather is or what he's been up to. He's always smiling." Read their story here: bit.ly/3JDIgqT

I had the pleasure of presenting a green token giving cheque for £500 to the volunteers of the National Coastwatch Institution Herne Bay when they came to store to do a bucket collection.

All members of the team donate their time to keep those that are in, on or near the sea at Herne Bay safe as well as fundraising so that they can update and renew equipment when required. The group rely on the public to fund the station and equipment and were very great full of the generosity of Asda Canterbury’s customers who donated ££332.49 during their collection, which is going to be used to help in the purchase of a new set of very specialist binoculars.
– Theresa, Asda community champion

We've had a busy week at Asda Canterbury giving donations to The Dawes Community Trust, Elham Primary School, Chislet Primary School and Retreat Into Wonderland. They were used by the charities in Christmas raffles to raise much-needed funds for their groups.

– Theresa, Asda community champion

What a fantastic welcome from the volunteers and community that attend Time Out who meet every Tuesday at the Spring Lane Neighbourhood Centre!

Having just served a Christmas lunch to members and some of the local community I was pleased to present them with a cheque for £1,000 from the Asda Foundation after their successful grant application.

– Theresa, Asda community champion

Tim spent the day at our store singing and dancing alongside his hand crafted helicopter raising funds for the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance.

We had lots of positive comments and many customers were singing and dancing along too.

– Theresa, Asda community champion

Having only just started in her new role, I supported Diane with helping Ashford Street Pastors apply for a grant for £1060 to complete work on their street vehicle.The Ashford Street Pastors are volunteers who patrol the city centre and various other high risk areas in Ashford at night.

The vehicle is a designated Safe Place for anyone who feels at risk and in need of a helping hand. Whatever the predicament a person may be in they are there to help if asked.

– Theresa, Asda community champion