GROUNDWORK CASE STUDY
CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING
TRAFFORD ECOLOGY PARK Trafford Ecology Park is owned and managed by Groundwork MSSTT. It is a site of special biological importance, providing a wildlife oasis within one of Europe’s oldest and largest industrial parks. It is primarily a venue for the delivery of educational provision to disadvantaged young people. Groundwork receives no dedicated funding for the maintenance and upkeep of the park. The efforts of our corporate volunteers are of increasing importance in ensuring the park’s unique habitats are protected and enhanced. Planning a volunteering day with us Groundwork’s volunteer facilitators work closely with our corporate partners to plan individual volunteering events. We strive to ensure that each event meets the specific objectives outlined by the company, and delivers a programme of activity which is appropriate to the size and skills of the group and the desired length of the event.
“Having somewhere like the Groundwork Ecology Park so close to our business is great. We recently held a week long event at the park …. A fabulous way to spend the day, especially as it gave people the opportunity to work with people they don’t work with on a day to day basis. Everybody who went fully enjoyed their time there and felt they were doing something positive for the local environment.” Luke Southward, Cargill COMMUNITY
We will: ff Help you plan and organise the event from start to finish ff Enthuse and motivate your volunteers ff Undertake full risk assessment and manage health & safety ff Evaluate the day with participants ff Support you on publicity and PR
Groundwork MSSTT Timber Wharf 42 - 50 Worsley Street Castlefield Manchester M15 4LD T: 0161 220 1000 www.groundwork.org.uk /msstt
GROUNDWORK CASE STUDY CARGILL’S EXPERIENCE Cargill, based in Trafford Park, worked with us to plan a volunteering week for their staff. 34 volunteers attended over 4 days contributing over 250 volunteer hours. We planned a range of tasks to suit all skills and interests. Over the 4 days the volunteers: ff Reinstated paths ff Fixed hand rails ff Built 2 compost bays ff Removed bulrushes from the pond ff Cleared vegetable beds ff 2 Bug hotels to encourage biodiversity and provide new habitats.
“Satisfying seeing the difference we’ve made. One day makes a big difference.” “Loved working together to achieve a good result” Cargill volunteers
Cargill’s work at the Ecology Park is part of a wider partnership with the company who have also donated £12,000 to the Trafford Eco Streets community grants programme. MAG’S EXPERIENCE MAG, a charity working in 40 countries worldwide to reduce the impact of armed violence and conflict, brought 41 staff to the Ecology Park to volunteer for one 3 hour session. To work within the skills of the group and the time constraints we organised a number of simple short tasks. The volunteers completed the following tasks: ff Weeding ff Application of green manure ff Planting up flower beds ff Path clearance ff Maintenance of polytunnels PREVIOUS PARTNERS
For more information contact: Deborah Murray Sustainable Communities Manager 0161 220 1000 deborah.murray@groundwork.org.uk