GroundworkAnnualReport_digital

Groundwork EastImpact Report 2016 Changing places and changing lives, one green step at a time

Contents The way ahead and thank you 3 How we are funded 4 Three decades of action, two Lords and one event 5 Creating better places 6-10 Greener living and working 11-12 Improving people’s prospects 13-16 Awards and qualifications 17 Bags of Help 18 How to get in touch 192 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

The way ahead and thank youThese are exciting times for Groundwork. We continue to expand what In 2016, our focus remains on three core areas of work:we do and where we work in response to local demand. Over the lastyear we have extended our area of coverage to include Essex, Suffolk • IMPROVING PEOPLE’S PROSPECTS: by increasing the confidence,and Norfolk. skills, well-being and employability of those furthest from the labour market, in particular young people.We have changed our legal name to Groundwork East to reflect thisgrowth but we remain absolutely a local charity that innovates and delivers • CREATING BETTER PLACES: by helping people work togetherwhat local communities need. Our regional operations, Groundwork to make their surroundings greener, safer and healthier and to getHertfordshire, Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire, Groundwork involved in decisions about local services.Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Groundwork Suffolk, GroundworkEssex and Groundwork Norfolk, remain at the forefront of our activity. • PROMOTING GREENER LIVING & WORKING: by helping people learn more about their environmental impact and act responsibly toThis local approach sees us helping people out of fuel poverty, reduce natural resource use.bringing out the best in young people by helping them to improve theirsurroundings and getting people back into work in their community – to We look forward to working with you in 2016 to make a real and lastingmention just a few of our activities. difference across the East of England.This report includes highlights of projects delivered in 2015, bringing to Steve Harvey Neville Reyner,life the impact we have made by changing places and changing lives Executive Director CBE DL Hon DLittacross our operating area. ChairmanWe would like to thank all of our partners and stakeholders, TrustDirectors, members of our Advisory Panels, volunteers, and fantasticstaff team for everything they have done to enable the highly successfuldelivery of an even wider range of transformative projects.Special thanks go to Bromwall Ltd, Commercial and Industrial Insurance Brokers, and PEM, an 3independent firm of accountants and business advisers, who have kindly sponsored this publication. Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

Groundwork is the community charity with a green heart. How we are funded d Groundwo Lotte Donati rustsLandfill Co rk UK & other t ry £10,000 ons £16,313 Local £159,116 mmunities Fun authorities Private s Invest Centra £301,301 £1,191,425Statement Housing a ector £206,365 ment income l Governmentof financialactivities for £3,697 £12,523the year ended31 March 2015 ssociations Grants Total income £281,781 £189,567 £2,372,088 Groundwork became a member of ‘Remember A Charity’ in 2015, a consortium of registered charities with the aim to change the perceptions and perspectives of the nation towards charitable giving in wills. Leaving a gift in your will helps us to keep changing places and changing lives, from supporting young people into employment and helping older residents stay healthy at home, to protecting and improving local green spaces.4 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

Three decades of action, two Lords and one eventThe Annual Review event in2015 also celebrated our30th anniversary.The event was kindly hosted by our patron, Lord Salisbury,at the Riding School at Hatfield House. We alsoenjoyed the company of Lord Heseltine, whowas closely involved in the establishment of theGroundwork movement in the early 80s. He spokeabout his memories of that time and told us how hecould never have imagined the scale and impact thatGroundwork has achieved since then.Lord Salisbury, a long-term supporter of Groundworkand whose father was involved in the setting upof the Trust in Hertfordshire 30 years ago, talkedabout his perspective on the work of the Trust and itsincreasing relevance.The national Groundwork movement was born morethan three decades ago and began as a radicalexperiment connecting communities, businesses and government,in a joint effort to improve quality of life and promote sustainabledevelopment. People needed practical help to deliver the changes theywanted to see in their lives and in their neighbourhoods. This principleremains entirely valid today.Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 5

Creating better places In 2014/15, we improved 557,686m2Groundwork makes the most of places of land – an areawhere people live, work or play. We make equivalent to 138places look better, streets safer, and football pitches.outside areas green and beautiful6 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

For the past nine years, the London Road community in Ipswich “ has come together for the inspirational In Bloom competition. In 2015 Groundwork supported the community by organising the funding of planters, flower beds, and window boxes for the residents who took part in the scheme. Groundwork volunteered with residents and the London Road Community Neighbourhood Watch (LRCNW) to plant up the containers and over 80 residents attended a wonderful celebration event. The result of this hard work was bloomin’ marvellous! The project also raised awareness of LRCNW’s work, disseminated information about upcoming events and offered advice to residents on waste services provided by Ipswich Borough Council.“ There was a tremendous amount of work, effort and generosity given to make this a successful project. The venture has really embraced diverse agencies and individuals from our local community. We have enjoyed working with you and getting to know you all at Groundwork. Helen, Secretary of LRCNW Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 7

After Our ever-expanding Green Aiders programme helps elderly, disabled, or vulnerable adults take control of their overgrown Before gardens through a one-off gardening service. Green Aiders originated in Broxbourne and Dacorum in 2009 and now covers “all of Hertfordshire, Luton and parts of Central Bedfordshire and Huntingdon. With the valuable help of over 40 volunteers, 320 gardens will be improved in the current round of funding. A Green Aider beneficiary said of their visit, “ I kept coming down and looking at the garden afterwards. They got rid of all the rubbish, weeded the beds and tidied it up. They dug new beds and planted bulbs and seeds in them for the spring. I can’t wait till next year. They even used some old wood and made edging out of it for the beds. They were amazing.8 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

A long-standing partnership with The JohnLaing Charitable Trust enables us to supportschools and teachers to develop schoolgrounds in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire andCambridgeshire.Groundwork offers advice and delivers practicalimprovement projects to enhance schools’ useof their grounds for curriculum-linked learning.Through this generous support, projectsthat may once have seemed out of reach forschools can become a reality.Our project implementation team hastransformed school entrances, built safer pathslinking different parts of school grounds andcreated ponds, wildlife areas and growing beds. Watford Community Housing Trust’s (WCHT) Radlett Road Estate, in central Watford, was characterised by over-mature planting and tired landscape areas. WCHT and residents wanted a visual improvement to the green spaces within their estate and to solve concerns over poor sightlines for drivers and pedestrians along roads, car park entrances and footpaths. Groundwork and residents worked together to regenerate and transform the area. The outcome is a safer, brighter, and cleaner landscaped environment for residents, pedestrians and vehicles. Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 9

By linking local companies with charitable organisations we have “ made a real difference to community spaces and resources. Corporate volunteering days facilitated by Groundwork this year have included: Skanska working at Huntingdon Community Nursery in Huntingdon; Premier EDA Solutions at St Andrews School in Stanstead Abbots; Amey at Links Academy in St Albans; Certsure at the River Lea in Luton; and Affinity Water at Butterfly World in St Albans. Led by Groundwork, team members from Skanska gave Huntingdon Community Nursery a boost. Ben Cross, Skanska’s Supply Chain Collaboration “Manager, said: The nursery is a fantastic place, run by great people. The work they do gives users a real sense of worth and achievement, so it was amazing to be part of such a fantastic day and help the nursery become that little bit more special.10 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

Greener living and workingWe help people and organisationsreap financial and health benefitsby improving homes, positivelychanging behaviours and identifyingmore efficient use of resources. We have continued to build our family learning portfolio with the delivery of family growing and natural play courses. Families from the Selections Children’s Centre in Hertford took part in an eight week family learning course, Parents as Partners in Play which was based at Panshanger Park, with the support of Tarmac. Each week families took part in outdoor play at the park, learning how to engage in a range of free and healthy activities using the natural resources in the environment. The project built parents’ confidence about using the outdoors and showed them the benefits of being outdoors with their children. Grow It, Cook It, Share It is one of the courses we run on behalf of the Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning Service (HAFLS). Families participated in a ten week growing and cooking course at High Trees Children’s Centre in Turnford. The programme teaches families how to grow vegetables and use their harvested produce to prepare healthy dishes. Each family also received a home garden advisory visit and a gardening start-up kit so they can grow their own at home. Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 11

Our work with organisations to review the way they use energy and highlight funding opportunities through our Environmental BusinessServices programmes in Suffolk has supported over 160 businesses and 20 communities. We were able to identify cumulative potential savingsof over £405,000 and 1,450 tonnes CO2e. On top of this, we have accredited over 35 new Suffolk Carbon Charter members and renewed thisaccreditation for 20 existing members. (The charter is an award recognising carbon reduction measures in Suffolk’s small and medium businesses.)▼ Groundwork is the co-host of the Luton Lea Catchment We have continued to deliver the Hertfordshire County Council programme Partnership, a group of individuals and organisations united Herts Healthy Homes. In 2015 Groundwork provided advisory visits to 468 to improve the River Lea. From its sources in Houghton households, installed draught proofing measures at 179 homes and provided Regis, Lewsey and Leagrave through Luton to Luton Hoo water saving devices to 109 homes. 176 residents received a grant or were Lakes, the partnership works with local people to make this given help to reduce bills and we made 644 referrals to other local services happen. We are developing and delivering a programme for further support such as fire prevention, falls prevention and the Citizens of projects to protect and improve the river. Work ranges Advice Bureau. from sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) and geomorphological works to a citizen science water The programme was also undertaken over the warmer months and included monitoring scheme and environmental education projects. advice on staying hydrated and active. Householders were offered a range of free items including pedometers, water spray fans and water saving devices. In 2014/15 we supported 110 community organisations, 130 schools and 21 businesses.12 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

Improving people’s prospectsWe run projects that increase In 2014/15, we helped over 100 people intopeople’s confidence, skills, well- employment, education or training and supportedbeing and employability. We help participants to gain a total of 263 qualifications.people to move forward in theirlives by offering tailored support. We have a number of projects that focus on boosting employability and practical skills, such as our nationally-recognised Green Team programme. 2015 saw the start of our 30th Green Team, a 12 week voluntary training programme targeted at 16-25 year old NEETs (not in employment, education or training). The course develops skills in landscaping, planting, maintenance and construction, with a clear focus on attitude, motivation and punctuality. 193 young people have taken part in the course since its inception in 2007, gaining 190 City & Guilds qualifications and 108 Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards – crucial for work in the construction industry. The programme has had a significant physical impact too, transforming over 250 community spaces in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex. Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 13

Our Green Skills programme involves a shorter voluntary training course. It is a motivational course that is often a final stepping stone into employment and offers a taster of the construction and landscaping industries. A Green Skills programme operates for four to eight weeks with 10-12 participants, based at a community site. We have delivered over 20 Green Skills courses in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Recently, volunteers worked at a site in Riverside Park, Luton, to create an allotment for Penrose Synergy (which offers housing related support) to use to run horticultural therapy sessions for adults with mental health issues. At the same time, the volunteers participated in revision sessions for their CSCS tests and undertook the City & Guilds Award in Employability Skills.14 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

2015 saw the launch of a two year Sprouting Out programme, afood growing and life skills project running across homeless hostelsin Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.Participants have learnt when to best harvest the produce theyhave grown and how to store any excess for use later in the yearso as to avoid wastage. In addition to cooking and gardening,participants gain life skills such as budgeting and food safety.Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund, Groundwork hasalready worked with five hostels delivering 90 food growingsessions and 45 life skills sessions for 104 residents, andsupporting residents to achieve food hygiene qualifications.The programme is making a really positive impact on theparticipants’ quality of life, which was clearly evident when HerRoyal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester visited the scheme atDENS (Action Against Homelessness) in Hemel Hempstead, oneof the project sites. Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 15

The Groundwork Peer Mentoring programme supports Central Bedfordshire’s vulnerable young people aged 10-18, who are at risk of disengaging with school and their families. Each young person is matched up to a suitable volunteer (18-30 years old) and works with them in weekly hour-long sessions for 12 weeks to access relevant activities, support services and opportunities. Mentors assist academic and personal progress by identifying personal aims and creating a tailored action plan to help the young people achieve their goals. It’s a rewarding experience for young people and mentors alike. Groundwork is now delivering youth work across the whole district for Central Bedfordshire Council which includes the delivery of provision in six open access youth clubs, targeted one-to-one support and school workshops. Groundwork is also managing provision at three other youth clubs in Bedfordshire and one in Cambridgeshire. We motivate and support young people by providing a safe place to meet, free activities, and information and advice. Current and past clients of the Essex Drug and Alcohol Treatment System volunteered to take part in three 10-week physical environmental improvement projects. Pathways to Recovery incorporates formal training, practical skills and employability skills. The programme helped participants on the road to recovery by encouraging confidence, self-worth and self-motivation as well as helping the volunteers develop valuable team-working skills. Through work on the Thames Estuary Path near Benfleet, groups of volunteers learnt how to clear, restore and conserve key landscape features – and acquired best practice in health and safety, manual handling and equipment use along the way. The programme not only benefited the site, it also helped the participants by providing a therapeutic environment away from traditional treatment settings, giving them a chance to socialise and supporting them in learning new skills.16 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

Awards and qualifications2015 saw some fantastic European Green Apple Award Winner for the East Coast Carbon Efficiency Projectachievements – our work EADT (East Anglia Daily Times) Environment andhas been recognised Sustainability Award Winnerwith these awards and SME (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) Learning Employer of the Year Winnerqualifications... Suffolk Coastal Business Great and GreenChristian Iszchak Award FinalistCity & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education & Training 2nd place at the Community Rail Partnership Awards for the Abbey Gateway project, St AlbansJamie MurphyAssociate Membership of IEMA (Institute ofEnvironmental Management and Assessment)Jayne PullenAwarded Chartered Landscape Architect statusMatt SutcliffeLevel 3 Award in Assessing Competence in theWork Environment (QCF) Groundwork East Impact Report 2016 17

Bags of Help Groundwork is proud to be administering Tesco’s Bags of Help community scheme launched in autumn 2015.The money raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores in England, live. People become healthier because they can exercise in the freshWales and Scotland will be used to pay for a large number of local air, grow their own food or just get away from the hustle and bustleprojects to improve green spaces in communities. Projects that will get of life. Communities become stronger because people get to knowthe green light as a result of the funding will include building new pocket their neighbours, and families have more places to have fun together.parks, sports facilities, improvements in school grounds, woodland Local green spaces can also help tackle bigger issues – increasingwalks and community gardens. biodiversity and reducing the impacts of climate change.Graham Duxbury, Chief Executive of Groundwork UK said: “The bag “We’re delighted to be working alongside Tesco stores and customerscharge is all about making sure we do what we can to create a better to bring these benefits to thousands of communities across the UK.”environment. Using the proceeds of the charge to help people improveparks and green spaces on their doorstep doubles the benefit. For more information on the Tesco Local Community Scheme and how to apply for funding, visit:“There are so many benefits to be gained from making sure peoplehave well-designed, well-managed green space near to where they www.groundwork.org.uk/tescocommunityscheme18 Groundwork East Impact Report 2016

How to get in touch 19www.groundwork.org.uk/eastGroundwork HertfordshireMill Green, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5PET: 01707 260129E: [email protected] @groundworkhertsGroundwork Cambridgeshire & Peterborough141 North Gate, Alconbury Weald,Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 4WYT: 01480 587140E: [email protected] @groundworkcandpGroundwork Luton & BedfordshireStockwood Park (off Farley Hill), Luton,Bedfordshire LU1 4BHT: 01582 720147E: [email protected] @gwklutonandbedsGroundwork SuffolkFirst Floor, South Kiln, Felaw Maltings,42 Felaw Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 8SQT: 01473 350370E: [email protected] @gwksuffolkGroundwork EssexAddress c/o Groundwork HertfordshireE: [email protected] @groundworkessexGroundwork NorfolkAddress c/o Groundwork SuffolkE: [email protected] @gwknorfolk Groundwork East Impact Report 2016