Groundwork North East & Cumbria Board Chairman:
Dr Jim Carrick
Vice Chairman: Mr Henry Barrie Trustees:
Professor Graham Street
Mr David Martin
Councillor Peter Brookes
Councillor Nick Wallis
Councillor Eddie Tomlinson
Mr Mark Charlton
Mrs Jill Donabie
Miss Clare Bambra
Ms Monica Burns
Mr Jim Lang
Report from the Chairman On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I wish to offer our sincere thanks to every member of staff, our apprentices and, importantly, our volunteers for another amazing year of achievement. The statistics contained in this report highlight just some of these successes and we are extremely proud of the impact we have made. This does not happen by accident or by good fortune, it takes vision, leadership and a dedication to deliver new and better futures for the communities we serve. It is the passion of our staff and volunteers for making a difference that genuinely excites me and makes me proud to be the Chairman of Groundwork North East & Cumbria. The Groundwork Federation of Trusts is facing many challenges, not least as traditional sources of funding are declining or indeed have dried up completely. However, I am very pleased to report that Groundwork North East & Cumbria is still moving forward, with robust finances and exciting plans for the future. Together with our new colleagues in Cumbria, the acquisition of Butterwick Trees and the development of Gateshead Nursery, we have a bright future ahead. This is great news for everyone in the Trust as opportunities for development will continue to grow and it is also great news for the people, communities, organisations and companies we support as we can offer a wider range of skills and programmes. It is this diversity of capability that gives us the strength to adapt and grow in a changing world. One absolute certainty is that the coming year will be different; but our imagination, passion and skills will continue to see Groundwork grow in strength and stature. I very much look forward to serving again as the Chairman of this exciting charity.
Jim Carrick
“It is Groundwork’s passion for making a difference that genuinely excites me and makes me proud to be its Chairman.�
Report from the Managing Director The last 12 months have been filled with great stories from across the region. I am so proud of our staff and volunteers who give so much, to see that a lasting change is made through every project they are involved in. Whether it is working with a local community to transform their neighbourhood, running youth sessions or working with local businesses to improve the environment; we are committed to making tomorrow different. We have had a number of changes to the staff team and the Board of Trustees this year. To all of those that have served with such commitment; I would like to wish you all the best as you move on to new challenges. We are so pleased to facilitate people’s development and l am passionate about supporting more apprentices over the coming years, as well as helping our current staff to continue to grow and develop. In this review you will be able to get a flavour of some of the life changing projects we have been running. All of this is only possible thanks to the generous support from funders, individuals and partners. We truly believe that working in partnership is what makes us great at what we do; you will see this running through every part of our work. My hope for next year is that we can continue to break new ground and engage more local people to transform their communities. I want to see us expand our support for vulnerable groups through skills and training and continue to grow our work through our local offices. All of this will be a challenge given the current financial climate, but it is one we have accepted. One that will see us change places and change lives.
Kate Culverhouse
2
“Whether it is working with a local community to transform their area, running a youth session or working with local businesses to improve the environment; we are committed to making tomorrow different.�
We are passionate about‌
Improving people’s prospects Delivering support to increase the confidence, skills, well-being and employability of those furthest removed from the labour market, in particular young people.
Creating better places Supporting people to work collectively to make their surroundings greener, safer and healthier and be actively involved in the way decisions are made about services in their area.
Promoting greener living and working Helping people and business learn more about their environmental impact and act responsibly to reduce natural resource use and improve their health.
3
Retail Offers New Opportunities for Ross Ross had been employed as an Apprentice Electrician for nearly two years and whilst he did well with the practical side; he struggled with the more academic tasks. Ross joined our Work Programme in May 2012 where support was given to help him find employment in the construction field as well as improving his CV and training Ross to help him pass the CSCS test.
Improving people’s prospects
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to reach their potential no matter where they live. All too often the social, environmental and economic conditions in the places we live conspire to put people at a significant disadvantage. Our projects help people to overcome these obstacles by building confidence and skills and providing support to get into employment.
Despite being successful in passing the CSCS test, there was still no work available for Ross. Our Employment Coach reviewed the alternative options with Ross and in a final bid to kickstart his career he agreed to take part in a six week retail programme. The programme combined classroom learning with hands on work experience with an employer. Ross got a placement at Marks and Spencer, a long term partner of Groundwork. Within two weeks of starting his placement, Ross was receiving excellent reports. Ross was interviewed and
appointed to a full time job before his work placement had been completed! His initial contract was for four weeks, however, since then Ross’s contract has been extended. Ross is now moving from strength to strength. Just last month, Ross was awarded an Employee of the Month Award by Marks and Spencer and is finally in a job that he loves. We are delighted to see Ross in a fulfilling and rewarding job and feel proud to have been involved in his employment success.
“Finding a job is never easy, but finding one that you love is a dream come true. I’m so pleased for Ross. He is just one of the hundreds of people that our team get to support on their journey into sustainable employment.” Tracy Wilson, Employment Manager
4
Neil Builds a New Life Neil was homeless, living in a Barnardo’s children’s home and struggling with life. Earlier this year Neil got involved in one of our ‘Get into Dry Stone Walling’ courses delivered by Lisa Shearer and Jane Austin-Walker in our Northumberland team. Neil travelled over three hours a day to get to the site for the course, showing an extraordinary level of dedication and defying all odds. His participation showed incredible determination to succeed despite huge barriers. The course was an opportunity for unemployed young people to gain a nationally recognised Dry Stone Walling qualification, an important skill for rural areas that is slowly being lost. Neil went on to achieve one of the highest marks ever recorded in the LANTRA Dry Stone Walling Level 1 exam. But Neil didn’t stop there, he went on to win the Prince’s Trust
We’ve supported: ‘Breakthrough Award’ topping a list of over 4,500 young people in the North East. Following the course and his recent award, Neil has been so inspired by the experience that he is now participating in volunteering, in both dry stone walling and countryside management. This has helped him to secure his own accommodation and given him a reason to be positive about his future.
The course has had a tremendous impact on Neil’s life, not only providing him with a useful qualification, but also satisfaction, self-esteem, confidence and a immense sense of achievement. A small amount of additional funding is now being sought to enable Neil to be able to undertake his LANTRA Level 2 award which would qualify him to set up his own business. Neil’s journey is only just beginning, but we are so pleased to have helped him find his passion and encourage him to move forward with his life.
201 316 451
SCHOOLS
BUSINESS
COMMUNITY GROUPS
We’ve helped:
580 587
ADULTS & YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN
NEW QUALIFICATIONS PEOPLE GET INTO
NEW JOBS
We’ve delivered:
1,429 TRAINING
WEEKS
450
THAT’S OVER
27 YEARS
OF CLASSES SEMINARS &
WORKSHOPS DELIVERED IN
1 YEAR! INDIVIDUAL
PROJECTS
5
Creating better places
The environment where we grow up, live and work matters. From the start Groundwork has been passionate about making better, greener places. This is because the shared spaces in our neighbourhoods - our parks, playgrounds, allotments and other green spaces, bring plenty of benefits. They offer the chance to bring people together; give us pride in where we live; reconnect us with nature; improve health and well being; cut crime and help us live greener lifestyles. The Groundwork approach is to help local people to create practical community led projects then bring together partners from the public sector, businesses and charities to make them happen. The result is better, greener, safer places where people of all ages and backgrounds work together to shape their own future.
6
Transformed Spaces This year we worked on over 100 schemes, to a total value of £3,990,000. These ranged in scale from feasibility projects, to the design and delivery of a large package of housing estate improvements costing over £1million. The nature of the work is extremely varied too; from habitat creation and woodland management to housing regeneration work, an array of play areas, school grounds, allotments and urban parks to add to the mix.
Small neighbourhood scheme in Gateshead
ISOS Housing in Northumberland
Even when budgets were limited, landscape architects brought imaginative solutions for implementation with local residents, as at this scheme in Deckham, Gateshead.
We created semi-private spaces for residents, extensive tree and hedge planting, off street car parking and unique pieces of artwork providing individual identity to several villages in Northumberland.
“Our environmental improvement schemes have communities at their heart. Our amazing staff and volunteers work alongside partners and the communities to make sure that our designs, are designs for life, which rekindle pride and vibrancy.” Julie Form, Director of Operations
Tristar schemes in Stockton The re-design of three courtyards and external grounds in Stockton was a major programme of work carried out by our landscape team for Tristar Housing. At a combined value of £800,000 this impressive project has continued on into the current year.
Groundwork Manage Elba Park Double
36,664
TREES PLANTED
OVER
THE EQUIVALENT OF…
91 TOILET ROLLS
MILLION
Groundwork Ranger, Andrea Baxter, was this year presented with a gold award by the Land Trust. Andrea manages Elba Park, on the site of former Lambton Coke Works and Colliery. The park was opened to the public in October 2010 after it underwent a £25million restoration lasting more than 7 years. It is an important green island and wildlife corridor, attracting wildlife back into an urban area and offering the public a first-hand experience of nature.
in developing the transforming power of strong relationships in vibrant new space. Euan Hall, Chief Executive of the Land Trust, said:
“These awards recognise the outstanding work that Groundwork and in particular Andrea has done on the park working with the local community.”
The Homes and Communities Agency worked with local people to create the stunning new park, with 77,000 native trees over 3,000 metres of footpaths and five pieces of original artwork. Andrea, is responsible for the maintenance programme, encouraging biodiversity, community engagement, developing relationships with the community and other partners and coordinating education on site. The awards do not stop there though. Elba Park was also presented a gold award for best community space out of all the Land Trust sites across the country. Groundwork is the only managing agent to be awarded with two certificates! This is a great example of the passion and care that our staff take
THIS AMOUNT WILL
REMOVE
83 ,000 TONNES OF CO2 PER YEAR
THATS THE AMOUNT OF EMISSIONS PRODUCED
0 40,6 0
BY
PEOPLE FLYING
FROM NEWCASTLE
TO MIAMI
m2 LAND
1,227,108 IMPROVED THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF
172
FOOTBALL
STADIUMS
“Our strong links with the local community and partners are what makes Elba Park a real success” Andrea Baxter
4,859,224
m2 LAND
MAINTAINED
THATS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE…
OLYMPIC PARK IN LONDON
7
Promoting greener living and working
Living and working in a greener way can help us all to save money, improve our health and well-being, and protect the environment. We help local communities to understand and champion environmental sustainability and support collective action to reduce waste, preserve natural resources and improve energy and water efficiency. We also provide personalised advice that helps householders to reduce their utility bills and companies to cut costs while complying with environmental legislation.
Environmental Business Services “I certainly would not have been able to do this without the help of Groundwork. Achieving this standard has helped us recognise and manage our environmental controls and reduce our environmental impact.” Andrew Brunton said
F Brunton & Sons Ltd is a family farming company based near Guisborough. The business’ primary focus is to farm pigs, but it also grows arable crops to use in animal feed. Following a pollution incident when a contractor was spreading slurry onto crops without proper care, the owner and manager, Andrew Brunton, asked for our help to avoid future pollution incidents and maintain good relationships with the Environment Agency.
Brunton & Sons has demonstrated a commitment to develop and improve their environmental performance with on-going re-development of farm buildings and associated drainage, improving the movement and storage of slurry. The business is also planning to address areas such as reducing energy consumption, generating energy on-site and achieving higher accreditation in 2014.
Groundwork supported the business to achieve it’s goal of implementing a successful, robust and accredited Environmental Management System. This included a behavioural change, improvements to business processes and documenting all the relevant procedures and legislation as required. The farm then undertook a successful audit from NQA.
“It is great to work with local businesses and see their operations transform into a healthier, safer working environment.” Donna Murphy, Green Economy Manager 8
Turning Over a New Leaf
A Greener World
It is anticipated that trees from Butterwick will be used in commercial and community planting schemes across the North East and beyond that will benefit the environment and the life of generations that follow. More than that, the growing of these trees takes place in an environment that helps nourish and encourage people.
OF WASTE DIVERTED FROM
LANDFILL
THATS THE EQUIVALENT OF…
x 82
THE WASTE GENERATED BY
HOUSEHOLDS IN
1 YEAR
STANDARD SIZED
LORRY LOADS
408 TONNES
CO2
OF
EMISSIONS
AVOIDED OR SAVED
THATS THE EQUIVALENT OF… BOILING A KETTLE
T
ES ARO U TIM
,000 160IMES
IVING 13.4 DR
TH
Alongside the growing of trees, the nursery delivers accredited horticulture training and provides an excellent learning environment for those wishing to develop new skills and experience in this sector. Groundwork are keen to use the business to pass on essential knowledge to the next generation of
“When you buy a tree from Butterwick you get the expertise and help to choose the best tree for your needs, what to plant, when to plant, how to plant.” says Peter.
TONNES
8,
This year also saw Groundwork join with Stockton based business, Butterwick Trees. After many years of growing, Peter Facey started Butterwick Trees; he has drawn upon his huge depth of experience to grow high quality, native cell grown trees from local province seed.
1,306
THE EAR ND
tree growers from the skilled team at Butterwick. Local schools are welcomed to participate in the tree growing process with the aim of enthusing and educating children, parents and teachers about the trees and the environment. The nursery is also being used to support ex-offenders on their rehabilitation journey. In 2013/14 we plan to expand the training and activities delivered at Butterwick into the newly acquired Gateshead Central Nursery site offering a wider range of training opportunities.
9
THE EQUIVALENT OF…
DIVERTED FROM
LANDFILL
THATS THE EQUIVALENT OF…
STANDARD SIZED
LORRY LOADS
GENERATED BY
HOUSEHOLDS IN
1 YEAR
m2 LAND
1,227,108 IMPROVED THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF
172
83 ,000 TONNES OF CO2 PER YEAR
0 40,6 0
BY
PEOPLE FLYING
FROM NEWCASTLE
TO MIAMI
MAINTAINED
THATS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE…
OLYMPIC PARK IN LONDON
450
We’ve supported:
SCHOOLS
m2 LAND
WEEKS
BUSINESS
COMMUNITY GROUPS
We’ve helped:
580 587
ADULTS & YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN
NEW QUALIFICATIONS PEOPLE GET INTO
NEW JOBS
408 TONNES
27 YEARS
OF CLASSES SEMINARS &
WORKSHOPS DELIVERED IN
1 YEAR! INDIVIDUAL
PROJECTS
CO2
OF
EMISSIONS
AVOIDED OR SAVED
THATS THE EQUIVALENT OF… BOILING A KETTLE
,000 160IMES
IVING 13.4 DR
T
ES ARO U TIM
4,859,224
REMOVE
TRAINING
THATS THE AMOUNT OF EMISSIONS PRODUCED
201 316 451
FOOTBALL
STADIUMS
THIS AMOUNT WILL
1,429
8,
x 82
THE WASTE
91
MILLION
TOILET ROLLS
THAT’S OVER
TH
TREES PLANTED
OVER
TONNES
OF WASTE
We’ve delivered:
THE EAR ND
1,306
36,664
Accounts:
We’d like to thank all of the generous support Groundwork has received this year from funders, partners and local authorities. We hope to make an even bigger impact next year.
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31st March 2013
Where did the money make a difference? Children and Young People Employment and Skills
£815,000 £1,628,000
Green Economy
£177,000
Health and Wellbeing
£438,000
Land and Neighbourhoods
£6,556,000
Business and Enterprise
£1,125,000
TOTAL
£10,739,000
Where does the funding come from? Central Government Public Agencies
£1,283,000 £ 998,000
Local Authorities
£ 2,391,000
Private Sector
£ 4,675,000
National Lottery
£ 1,511,000
TOTAL
£10,858,000 11
Get in touch: Butterwick Trees,
Darlington Office
Central Nursery
Durham City Employment Office
Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees TS21 3ER T: 01740 629345 Peter Facey Nursery Manager
Whickham Highway Dunston Tyne & Wear NE11 9RQ T: 0191 460 9508 Geoff Dawson Land Enterprise Manager
Central Office Bishop Auckland
Grosvenor House 29 Market Place Bishop Auckland County Durham DL14 7NP T: 01388 662 666 Nigel Orr Director of Finance & Corporate Services
Cumbria Office
2 Market Street Cockermouth Cumbria CA13 9NJ T: 01900 825 215 Julian Smith Area Manager - Cumbria
12
123 Victoria Road Darlington DL1 5JH T: 01325 353 791 Sarah Small Play Coordinator
Suite 2 William Robson House Claypath Durham DH1 1SG T: 0191 386 3861 Jacqui Hodgson Employment Performance Lead
Easington Office (East Durham)
Seaton Holme Hall Walks Easington Village Peterlee County Durham SR8 3BS T: 0191 527 3333 Oliver Graham Area Manager - Durham
Follow us on twitter /GroundworkNE
The Greenhouse
Greencroft Industrial Park Annfield Plain Stanley County Durham DH9 7XN T: 01207 524 800 Vicky Cuthbertson Business & Enterprise Manager Donna Murphy Green Economy Manager
Middlesbrough Office
Linthorpe Cemetery Lodge Burlam Road Middlesbrough TS5 5AP T: 01642 815 663 Chris Watson Tees Valley Manager
Newton Aycliffe Employment Office
The Digital Factory Durham Way South Aycliffe Business Park Newton Aycliffe County Durham DL5 6XP T: 01325 300 544 Margaret Hamilton Employment Performance Lead
Find us on facebook /GWKNE
GROUNDWORK NORTH EAST & CUMBRIA
Northumberland Office
Offices 7 & 9, Union Depot Front Street Pegswood Northumberland NE61 6RG T: 01670 514 876 Kay Bradshaw Area Manager – Northumberland
Tees Barrage Office
Navigation Way Thornaby Stockton on tees TS17 6QA T: 01642 616 144 Ann-Louise Orange River Tees Rediscovered
NORTHUMBERLAND
TYNE & WEAR COUNTY DURHAM
CUMBRIA
TEES VALLEY
Development Manager
Tyne & Wear Office
6 Norfolk Street Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR1 1EA T: 0191 567 2550 Stephen Armstrong Area Manager – Tyne & Wear
www.northeast.groundwork.org.uk The production of this Annual Review is Carbon Balanced, with 154 kgs carbon saved and 12.94 sq. metres of threatened forest preserved by The World Land Trust. Printed on Revive 100 White Offset recycled paper.
Groundwork North East & Cumbria
Grosvenor House
29 Market Place
Bishop Auckland
Co Durham
DL14 7NP
t: 01388 662 666 f: 01388 601 941 e: north.east@groundwork.org.uk www.northeast.groundwork.org.uk Registered charity number: 1017706
Registered company number: 2702815