Project Work at Groundwork NE & Cumbria

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Groundwork is a federation of charities that supports practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive.

Building a green economy on a local, practical level is a key focus for Groundwork, combined with delivering environmental skills and providing accessible and inclusive routes into green jobs.

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is one of the largest Trusts in the Groundwork Federation, stretching from the Borders of Scotland in the north, to the west coast of Cumbria and down to North Yorkshire in the south. It currently has over 200 active projects on the go, managed by a 190-strong team.

The majority of staff are actively involved in the hands-on delivery of these projects, much of it within the field of environmental conservation and restoration and all designed to help meet national targets for achieving net zero and nature recovery.

At Groundwork no two days are the same, which is one of the major appeals of working for the community-based charity.

Project work at Groundwork NE & Cumbria

Groundwork is highly skilled at project management and adept at pulling together teams with the experience to deliver some of the UK’s most innovative environmental restoration, nature recovery and conservation projects. Groundwork NE & Cumbria is also currently advanced in the delivery of nature-based solutions to tackle climate change and its effects.

Many of the programmes are highly specialised and delivered by experienced and skilled project managers, supported by a team of project officers, many recruited directly into Groundwork to work on specific projects.

Like many workers in the charitable and voluntary sector, Groundwork’s staff tend to be attracted to the organisation because its purpose and values mirror their own.

Knowing that the work is worthwhile, varied and has an environmental and community focus is a key attraction to working for the organisation. This has been more evident since the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Economic Forum and other global experts have reported a major shift in working patterns since the pandemic, with more people not only working from home but many re-evaluating their careers, and opting to do something more worthwhile with their time and talents. Dubbed the ‘Great Resignation’ many workers have quit their 9-2-5 jobs in search of roles and work that are more meaningful. Groundwork NE & Cumbria has noted this shift and has seen an increase in applications from candidates from other industry sectors looking to move into roles and projects that use their skills and transferable experience for the greater good.

Like most workers in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), the primary motivation is not financial, with higher salaries available elsewhere in the private sector, the major drivers for working at Groundwork NE & Cumbria for many is the nature of the work, working in nature and to ‘make a difference’.

Most of Groundwork’s activity, work and funding are project-specific with ring-fenced budgets and time-sensitive delivery, which often makes for short-term contracts. However, with new projects come new opportunities allowing colleagues to join different teams, while expanding their knowledge, and developing their skills and experiences along the way.

One of Groundwork’s founding principles in the 1980s was to provide meaningful opportunities for local communities to skill up, invest in green jobs and grow the green economy – this work and these priorities are still relevant today. Groundwork continues to prioritise creating work-based opportunities while improving the communities in which it operates.

A large part of its work is directed at people currently outside the labour market to help them reconnect with employment opportunities and prepare them for green jobs across a range of different roles and sectors. Creating accessible entry points for people to get on the first rung of the career ladder, and providing a starting point into employment of any kind is still a priority and is seen by Groundwork as a way to ‘grow its own’ talent, giving people a first platform into work, with an environmental focus.

This approach has helped thousands of people become and sustain their economic independence, reskill and/or search for more permanent work opportunities.

Groundwork is not complacent and recognises that more needs to be done across the ‘green sector’ to create accessible pathways into green jobs and employment.

Groundwork also accepts its role as a stepping stone into employment for many who come into the organisation from diverse backgrounds, industry sectors and with a range of different experiences. It is also proud of the environment it has created to allow people to acquire new skills, identify talents and hone their skills in specific fields. Inevitably many of these people then leave the organisation taking their skills, experience and knowledge with them.

Find out more about a career with Groundwork via the website: Current vacancies - Groundwork.

First published in CJS Focus on Conservation Support Services on 16 October 2023. Read the full issue here

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