Groundwork Impact Report 2014

1Groundwork Impact Report 2014

Impact RepoRt 2014

Groundwork Impact Report 20142

bene�tting frombetter, greenerneighbourhoods

oUR Impact last yeaR


changIng places changIng lIves

We’re passionate about creating a future where everywhere is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and where everyone can reach their potential.

That’s why we’ve been working for over 30 years supporting the communities that need us most.

We help people to carry out thousands of projects each year. Tackling climate change. Helping people out of fuel poverty. Bringing out the best in young people by helping them to improve their local area. Building stronger communities by improving green space. Getting people back into work and creating green jobs.

We’re proud to work with a wide range of partners to make this change happen, from our committed volunteers to major brands and businesses including United Utilities, Southern Water, Travis Perkins, DHL, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Skanska, Standard Life and Marks & Spencer.

We benefit from the support of the Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund and work closely with government departments, devolved assemblies, local authorities and housing associations across the UK.

bene�tting frombetter, greenerneighbourhoods

one gReen step at a tIme


The next five years are likely to throw up huge challenges for society. As the economy recovers, continued reductions in public spending are likely to lead to greater social inequality and greater geographic disparity.

Some people in some parts of the country will feel more confident and aspirational while others will remain marginalised and vulnerable. Environmental impacts – from flooding to energy price rises – will impact disproportionately on those who have least. Universal services in many communities – from youth clubs to parks – will feel the brunt of spending reductions and require new ideas and approaches with


communities and businesses much more engaged in managing vital public services.

Groundwork was established at a time of political, social and economic challenge as an experiment to help communities find their own answers to the problems they face. That spirit of enterprise and innovation has never been more needed.

With the development of a new strategy, Groundwork 2020, our ambition is to build our visibility and build our reputation as a significant, radical, national force for driving change in attitudes, behaviours, places and prospects in the communities that need it most.

We will refashion existing relationships and forge new ones. We will ensure we have the skills and networks to address the specific challenges of the people we need to support. We will build the evidence base to demonstrate that investing now in the physical and social fabric of our communities is the best way of keeping people well, ensuring young people grow up to contribute to society and the economy and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, with all the future costs that entails.

With your help, we want to do even more to change places and lives in some of the most challenged and challenging places across the UK.

Graham DuxburyChief Executive, Groundwork UK


400,000days of social

action by adults and young people

300,000trees

planted

3,500community

organisations supported

33.8msquare metres of

land improved or maintained

Every year Groundwork helps hundreds of thousands of people of all ages to organise and work together to protect, preserve, improve or create parks, play areas, allotments, nature reserves and many other spaces that matter to them.

We help people create ‘friends groups’ and mobilise support for their own projects. We help young people get their voices heard and demonstrate that they can be a powerful force for good by leading projects to improve the local environment.

We help people who are isolated or suffering health problems get outdoors and benefit from physical activity. We help to re-connect people with nature, understand the


importance of biodiversity and the benefits of fresh, local food.

• Our Green Teams – long term unemployed people recruited to deliver local environmental projects while receiving training and jobsearch support – continue to provide valuable services to local communities and are increasingly working closely with local authorities and housing associations to ensure green spaces can be managed and maintained at a time of severe budget reductions. We’re delighted that over the next three years staff at PricewaterhouseCoopers will be fundraising and providing expert support to help more young people benefit from the Green Team experience.

• Groundwork’s long standing partnership with United Utilities continues to deliver results with 68 projects delivered in the year, benefiting 37,000 people. This has included projects as diverse as a major scheme to protect and improve the historic landscape of Rivington Terraced Gardens in Lancashire, a programme to deliver environmental messages to pupils in every school in Blackburn, and the installation of a play area for children with restricted mobility in Lancaster.

• In Cheshire our work to create and manage Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) has helped over 600 businesses to improve their trading environments and

create safe, clean and vibrant locations for over 10,000 employees. Successful BID votes have generated £2.25m of new investment for business communities in the Weaver Valley, including unlocking significant private investment in Northwich town centre.


“ Sandford Courts is worth a million to me. In a big building you don’t even know who lives above or below you. But if you have a space people can talk to you...it’s bringing people together.”

Irene (pictured far right)


It is estimated that 20 million people are currently missing out on the benefits of green space. For people living in deprived areas the picture is even worse – as they have access to five times fewer public parks and good quality green space than people in more affluent areas.

Lack of access to outdoor space damages individuals, families and communities. We are committed to championing new and innovative approaches to improving and protecting our green infrastructure and this year launched X Marks the Spot, a national campaign to mobilise more people to protect their ‘treasured spaces’.

The evidence

Parks are valued and in good heart but the future may not be so bright…

• 2.6bn estimated visits are made to the UK’s parks each year

• 71% of park users in urban areas consider spending time in their local park as essential or important to their quality of life

• 86% of park managers report cuts to revenue budgets and expect this trend to continue

• 71% of households with children are concerned that reductions in budgets could have a negative impact on the condition of their local park

SupporT for communiTieSGroundwork’s five-year ‘Community Spaces’ programme concluded in 2014. The programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, provided funding and support to over 900 communities in England and built capacity to support the work of local groups.

• 93% of groups intend to continue to play a role in managing green spaces in the future

• 75% of groups think their communities are stronger as a result

• 57% of groups now work better with their local authority

Source: Groundwork- Community Spaces programme evaluation, 2014

Source: Heritage Lottery Fund – ‘State of UK Public Parks 2014’

10 Groundwork Impact Report 2014

Daniel is a trainee with Groundwork’s Green Jobs Team in Derry/Londonderry, which helps young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training gain horticulture and work skills at community sites across Northern Ireland.

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“ I’ve been unemployed for the past two years and volunteering at a local resource centre. Being unemployed is really tough – it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning when you have nothing to do – it affects your self-worth.

“ My dad heard of the Green Jobs Team through his friends and sent me up to find out about it. It’s got me doing stuff again. I’ve done a chainsaw course and I know how to fix a lawn mower and other equipment and I’ve got five qualifications so far, which makes me more employable.

“ It’s great to be part of the team – I think I’ve really found what I want to do. It’s given me back my self-worth. I’m hoping to stay on with the Green Jobs Team for a while then I’m planning to get a few jobs and gather up some money to get a van and start my own business.

“ I have really found my niche – it’s made me realise I am ambitious and has lit a fire in my belly.”


thIs has lIt a fIRe In my belly.

Daniel


We have always known that being in fulfilling work is a major factor in helping people to stay well and happy and enabling them to put something back into society. We believe no one should be disadvantaged because of where they live or because of their background and we are committed to stopping talent and lives from being wasted due to long-term unemployment.

We use our own projects and contribute to major government programmes across the UK to give young people the best start in life and to open up new opportunities in the job market for those with the least skills and greatest barriers to work. 6,000

qualifications delivered

6,100people supported

into education, employment or training

2,000schools involved


We are particularly focused on supporting enterprise and job creation in the green economy and work closely with companies and skills bodies in the waste, recycling and utilities sectors to help more young people build a career focused on the management of natural resources.

• Over the last year we have pioneered a new approach to helping more young people thrive in education. Our Achievement Coaches programme has seen our youth workers and volunteers work in and with schools to help nearly 700 pupils achieve their full potential and avoid becoming NEET. Trained coaches deliver measurable results in terms

of attitude and attainment and, with our partners, we are creating a new professional qualification available to the wider sector.

• In Greater Manchester our Green Shoots courses gave nearly 80 learners the opportunity to acquire basic gardening skills and gain the confidence to volunteer and pursue higher level courses. We also worked with long-term unemployed people in Rochdale providing intensive one-to-one support including cognitive behavioural therapy. Funded by the local clinical commissioning group and supported by Mencap, the Back on Track project is helping to improve

mental wellbeing and tackle the health barriers to getting people back into work.

• Our Pay Ahead, Stay Ahead initiative is improving the money management skills of 6,000 young people living in Birmingham. Working in partnership with some of the city’s biggest social housing providers, our youth workers run tailored courses to help young people to stay out of debt, save and avoid loan sharks.


Ann-Marie leads Groundwork’s Jam in the Hood project in Corby and is the current National Youth Agency Youth Worker of the Year. Jam in the Hood is an award-winning partnership between Groundwork and Northamptonshire Police to empower young people and change negative perceptions within their neighbourhoods.


“ I like to think that I’m part of the journey that our young people are on towards fulfilling their potential. I want to support them to be the best they can be.

“ I work with lots of young people who have amazingly chaotic lives. I don’t do it to receive praise, and I don’t expect to be thanked straight away. I do it because I believe at some point in their lives they will look back and recognise the people who have helped them to achieve their goals. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you’re a part of such a rich tapestry that shapes their future.

“ I also want to challenge adults’ perception of young people. I was fed up listening to older people say that they’re such a big problem in our society. You see so many adults viewing young people as the ‘finished product’ – I don’t see them in that way, I see them as works in progress.

“ We don’t inherit the earth from our parents, we’re only borrowing it from our children. It makes me proud to know that I’m doing what I can to not only inspire them, but to help make their hopes and aspirations come true.”

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We don’t InheRIt the eaRth fRom oUR paRents, We’Re only boRRoWIng It fRom oUR chIldRen.

Ann-Marie


Paul is part of the Galvanise Team – delivering environmental improvement projects and grounds maintenance contracts across the Tees Valley. Members of the team are employed by Groundwork, having all recently been released from prison.

Paul is part of the Galvanise Team – delivering environmental improvement projects and grounds maintenance contracts across the Tees Valley. Members of the team are employed by Groundwork, having all recently been released from prison.

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“ I was given a 99-year license when I was released from prison. I was required to tell potential employers about it, which meant that I was regularly passed over for work placements. It got to the point where I thought I’d never get a job, but I’m a strong character and just knew there was something out there for me.

“ A friend of mine recommended Groundwork to me and I applied to join their Galvanise Team. I had to attend an interview and was over the moon when I was successful in getting the job. Meeting new people with different personalities was a bit of a challenge, particularly as we were all adjusting to life outside of prison, but the more we got to know each other the more we bonded and learned to

work as a team. We’ve painted community centres, erected poly-tunnels and helped maintain local green space together.

“ My time with Groundwork has really helped me to grow as an individual. I used to be very inwardly focused but have now learnt to look out for others and take more responsibility for the people that I spend my time with.

“ I’ve recently been promoted to assistant supervisor of the team and have made lots of other changes in my life too. I’ve moved out of the area I used to live in, stopped smoking, cut down on my drinking and am now also engaged. I’ve never been happier in my life, and things are absolutely beautiful.”


I’ve neveR been happIeR In my lIfe, and thIngs aRe absolUtely beaUtIfUl.

Paul

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It is a stark reality that global environmental challenges impact first and worst on those people and communities who have the least. It is also true that addressing these challenges successfully will require people everywhere to learn to live differently.

We help people and organisations make choices and changes that deliver practical benefits now and sow the seeds of a more sustainable future. Thinking differently about the way we use finite natural resources helps people lead better, healthier and more comfortable lives, provides opportunities for people to volunteer and work together in their communities to get things done, improves local assets and community facilities and creates jobs.

4,000businesses supported

50,000tonnes of co2

emissions avoided

84,000tonnes of waste

diverted from landfill

33,500household

energy and water efficiency visits


• Groundwork’s Green Doctors are a presence in many areas of the country, delivering roadshows and community events and providing in-home advice to vulnerable people on how to increase the energy and water efficiency of their homes and adopt behaviours that reduce waste and bills, helping them live more sustainably and economically. In partnership with Southern Water, Groundwork has delivered advice and support on water efficiency to 41,000 households since 2010, distributed 101,000 water efficiency products saving households an average of 18 litres of water a day. Green Doctors have also helped secure £2.2m of additional

income for Southern Water’s most vulnerable customers in partnership with IncomeMAX.

• We were commissioned by East Oldham District Partnership to design, promote and deliver a pilot project to support homeowners and private tenants in an area known to have one of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the area. Local community champions were trained by Groundwork to provide practical energy saving advice over an eight-week period to nearly 1,500 houses, resulting in estimated savings of £25,000 per annum on household energy bills.

• We are now in our seventh year of managing Target Wellbeing, a £13m portfolio funded by the Big Lottery Fund supporting local projects to improve the health and wellbeing of those most in need. To date, Target Wellbeing has helped over 74,500 people to increase their levels of physical activity, eat more healthily and improve their mental health.

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Nadira has been a Groundwork Green Doctor since 2010 and is currently working on a project to help nearly 2,000 homes in Sheppey save a tonne of CO2 emissions each through behaviour change and energy efficiency advice.

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“ Green Doctors work with tenants to help them identify ways to save money and be more energy efficient in ways that work for them. We give tailored advice on energy and water saving measures but we also give advice on grants, council schemes and other agencies in their area that can help in other ways. We’re obviously there to help with energy efficiency but while we’re in the home we try to help that individual out as much as we possibly can.

“ One of the people I visited lived in a very old house that was very draughty. She suffered from MS and found that long showers could help with her condition. I fitted a range of efficiency

measures to make her house warmer but while I was there I was also able to switch her to a cheaper tariff for her water bill and get her on to the priority services register with the council. This meant she was able to save £140 on her electricity bills and could take longer showers to ease her pain without having to worry about excessive water bills.

“ Being a Green Doctor can be a great conversation starter – I’ve even been asked why I haven’t arrived in a Tardis! It’s a unique opportunity to meet people from all different walks of life, and it’s an amazing feeling knowing that spending an hour with someone can lead to them making life-long environmental changes.”


spendIng jUst an hoUR WIth someone can lead to them makIng lIfe-long envIRonmental changes.

Nadira


Ray is a volunteer with Healthy Parks Healthy Minds – a Target Wellbeing project that aims to help people achieve healthier and happier lives.


volUnteeRIng on thIs pRoject helps me to manage my schIzophRenIa betteR.

Ray

“ I started volunteering on this project after attending a taster session. I was a bit quiet for the first month or so as I was getting to know people but I’ve been going for four years now!

“ It’s nice to mix with decent people, to be busy and work hard together to help the environment and other people.

“ I really enjoy the digging, hedge laying and tree planting. I’m not so keen on the gardening – I like the heavy stuff! I really like using machinery, have received various certificates and have done courses in strimming and first aid. This has inspired me to go to college and do an English and maths course.

“ I’ve had schizophrenia all my life. It’s hard to explain when I hear things but it comes and goes and can feel worse if I’m stressed or things are not going well. Volunteering on this project helps me to manage my schizophrenia better. Since starting with Groundwork, I feel a lot calmer and I am a lot better now. I’ve learnt how to open up to people and talk about how I feel, which helps me control things.

“ Volunteering with Groundwork has helped to give me confidence, focus and a sense of purpose. I’ve found my niche – I don’t know where I would be without Groundwork – it really does change people’s lives.”

we want to take this opportunity to thank our many partners and supporters for helping us deliver these life-changing results.

“ Our partnership with Groundwork will allow PwC to increase our social and environmental impact, while supporting young people to gain the skills and experience needed to find employment.”

PwC employees across the UK voted for Groundwork to be their ‘employment charity partner’ and are committed to fundraising to support our Green Teams.

David Adair, Head of Community Affairs, PwC.

Dulux worked with Groundwork to provide communities with access to paint and expert support to restore community buildings.


M&S continues to work with Groundwork to create greener living spaces in Wales, funded by the profits of Welsh carrier bag charges. “ The vision of this partnership

with Groundwork is to drive change in behaviour and attitudes across our business, our supply chain partners and local communities. The scheme is an exciting element of our plan to embed sustainability at the core of our operations and takes us further to becoming a sustainable business.”

Tim Haywood, Group Finance Director and Head of Sustainability at Interserve.

Interserve is working with Groundwork to develop ‘SurPlus’, an initiative which will enable the company to donate materials and staff time to Groundwork projects.

“ Due to my disabilities I have been isolated from nature and had to fight to continue my education and to create opportunities in my life. I wanted to support a charity that helps people to reach their potential and supports a greener way of life.”

Girl Guide Sarah Coulbert raised money for Groundwork as part of her Queen’s Guide Award.

“ Working with Groundwork has enabled us to create and develop communal green spaces for the benefit of our residents and develop areas where they can socialise and enjoy some companionship, while also growing their own plants.”

Sanctuary Housing is supporting Groundwork to deliver a programme of community gardening on its estates.

Colleen Eccles, Director of Neighbourhoods, Sanctuary Housing


makIng eveRy £1 coUntLast year Groundwork generated nearly £90m to invest in building better, greener lives in the places that need it most.

We are committed to working as efficiently as possible to ensure that the money we raise delivers maximum impact. 80% of our income is spent directly on delivering projects with 12% invested in ensuring we have expert staff developing new projects and running our network of organisations. 8% of our income is spent on our premises, professional fees and overheads.

Government grants

Local authorities

Public bodies and agencies

European Union

Business partnerships

Lottery

Other

Where our funding

came from


We rely on the support of a huge range of individuals and organisations to achieve the change set out in this report.

Work in partnership with usWe are focused on bringing about as much change as possible in the places that need it most. We can’t do it alone. We can work with you to improve lives in a particular neighbourhood or city or collaborate on a programme that has UK-wide impact.

Volunteer with usYour time and skills could be of huge value to our work. We can help you undertake team challenges to improve a community allotment or children’s play area or help you

become a mentor to young people to help them succeed in life.

Make a regular donation We want to provide long-term support to people and communities in need. Regular donations can help our Green Teams improve more green spaces or our Green Doctors help more people struggling to cope with their bills.

Organise an event or join one of our challengesPerhaps you’re a school party or a group of work colleagues looking for an exciting challenge. We can help you have fun while you make a difference by organising your own fundraising activities or signing up to climb a mountain or jump out of a plane.

Become an AmbassadorJoin our network of committed philanthropists providing strategic support to our mission.

Pledge a gift to us in your willWe know that everyone’s first priority when making a will is to provide for their loved ones, but many people also want to leave a legacy that benefits many more people in the future.

Become a Friend of Groundwork Have you benefited from our work? Were you once part of the Groundwork family? Do you have a story about your journey with Groundwork to inspire others to support us?

joIn oUR paRtneRshIp foR actIon

[email protected] groundwork.org.uk/get-involved


WWW.gRoUndWoRk.oRg.UkGroundwork UK is the operating name of The Federation of Groundwork Trusts, a company limited by guarantee.

Company Registration No: 1900511. Charity Registration No: 291558

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Groundwork Impact Report 2014

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Transcript of Groundwork Impact Report 2014