When I walked into Tesco in Diss that morning, my trolley was overflowing, and the store was unusually quiet, a peaceful break from the usual hustle and bustle. There was no queue at the tills, so I started placing my items on the conveyor belt, expecting the usual flurry of beeps, rushed greetings, and hurried hands. But what happened next stayed with me long after I left the store.
The young man at the till greeted me with a soft hello and began scanning my items. He worked carefully and methodically, taking his time with each product. My bread got a little squashed in the process, and the pile of groceries I had already started to pack waited patiently by my side. I noticed he counted the bags I requested three times before finally handing them to me, and when I paid, he recounted my change twice.
At first, I thought it might be frustrating, but then I realized something remarkable. Every moment of that interaction reflected patience, care, and diligence. It was not just about the groceries; it was about the human behind the till, doing his best and being valued for his abilities rather than judged for his differences.
I asked him how he was finding the job, and he shared a little about his experience at Tesco and how the company had given him an opportunity that many other employers might not have. My heart swelled. As the mother of a 12-year-old autistic boy, I know how life-changing it can be when society opens doors rather than closing them. The pride, independence, and sense of purpose he carried with him in that simple interaction spoke volumes.
It made me reflect on how small acts of kindness and inclusion can have a huge impact. His quiet diligence and gentle smile were reminders that inclusion is not just a policy; it is a choice we can make every day.
I left the store with my groceries and a heart a little fuller, knowing that change is happening, slowly but surely, one opportunity at a time. Shopping at Tesco that day was not just about getting what I needed; it was about witnessing courage, compassion, and a brighter, more inclusive future taking shape before my eyes.
Thank you, Tesco, for showing what is possible when kindness and opportunity meet.
Credit: Emma Shawcross via Tesco
