A Fair and Green Future for All

By Anna Short, Groundwork

For over 40 years, Groundwork has been bringing communities together to take practical action in order to tackle multiple challenges affecting people and the planet.

A group of volunteers sit on the edge of a raised flower bed and smile at the camera. — Members of the community volunteer group at a Groundwork Green Community Hub project in Lancashire (Groundwork)

Starting life in Merseyside in 1981, we first invited local people to ‘Join the FROGs’ (Friends of Operation Groundwork) and kickstarted our mission to change places and lives where it was needed most.

Made up of a federation of 14 Trusts based around the UK, we combine local knowledge with national reach to build capacity and resilience in communities through connection with each other, with opportunity and with nature. Through this, our charity is helping to shape a fairer and greener future in which people, places and nature thrive.

We may be over four decades in – but the issues facing people then bear a startling resemblance to today’s reality. Too many people are experiencing fuel poverty; are out of work due to long term sickness; and do not live near public green space that is both safe and accessible. Groundwork’s flagship delivery – focusing on improving homes, creating jobs and greening communities – responds to these social issues within local spaces. And as these challenges continue to grow, so does the scope of Groundwork’s emphasis and impact.

By 2028, we aim to meet four strategic priorities:

To help more people overcome isolation
To help build the green economy
To help those who most need it connect with nature
To help more people and places respond and adapt to climate change

Such goals reflect Groundwork’s expertise across education, employability, accessibility, sustainability, retrofit, volunteering, environmental action and community support and development. Our most recent impact report highlights the ways in which we have already achieved some of these social, economic and environmental outcomes – including getting people into work, reducing waste, improving health and wellbeing, engendering responsible business and encouraging biodiversity to flourish.

Paul, a volunteer at a Groundwork Green Community Hub project in Cumbria, is testament to the positive difference being made every day through Groundwork programmes.

“I suffer from severe mental health issues and don’t really come out of the house, so coming to this Green Community Hub has been a godsend. As I have trust issues with people, meeting new people and the volunteers here is really good for me – it’s putting trust back in.

“I’m proud of myself for getting here. It’s an achievement for me, a really big achievement. But you know, it’s the other volunteers as well – we all get on and we have a laugh. If somebody’s having a bad day, we’ll sit down and have a chat and help each other. There are a few people I can trust and really open up to.”

Farzana is another of Groundwork’s beneficiaries who felt uplifted through practical assistance – this time thanks to energy-efficiency programme, Green Doctor.

Two ladies sit on a sofa, looking at a tablet computer that one of them is holding. — A Groundwork Green Doctor supports an elderly woman to understand her energy bills during a home visit (Groundwork)

“Before I received support from the Green Doctors, I honestly felt lost and exhausted. My home was freezing, full of draughts, and I couldn’t afford to keep the heating on all the time. I was constantly worried about how I was going to keep my kids warm and fed. It felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

“The Green Doctors were like a light in the dark. From the moment they got involved, I felt seen. They didn’t just fix the draughts in my home – they gave me warmth, peace of mind, and dignity. On top of that, they provided food vouchers which helped me feed my children when I was really struggling. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without them.

“Now, I feel so much lighter. My home is warmer and safer for me and my children, and I no longer dread the cold nights. I can focus on moving forward instead of just surviving day to day. This support changed everything for us.”

The support we receive from partners, funders and donors is what enables such wide-ranging impact. Whether it’s delivering a youth employment programme, growing a network of community hubs or promoting the importance of nature; none of this could be done without invaluable partnerships and corporate investment.

As a charity, it’s how Groundwork can continue to support local people and create tangible impact where it is most needed – across underrepresented backgrounds, areas lacking green and blue infrastructure, people facing multiple insecurities, and those who will be most affected by extreme weather and a warming climate.

Over the coming year, we hope to create even more life-changing opportunities through bringing communities, businesses and the government together. Inclusivity, opportunity and connection are all required to overcome disadvantage and create a fair and green future for all to thrive.

We look forward to sharing further insight, ideas and conversation starters as part of this partnership with Countryside Jobs Service – watch this (green) space!

Find out more about Groundwork here, or follow them on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram