Partner Article

NE Business and Communities Benefit From Partnership Working

The social enterprise, Groundwork North East, which is dedicated to improving the lives of people, has collated statistics that demonstrate how teamwork is having a positive impact on the region. This includes the creation of more than 300 jobs, helping 230 people gain qualifications and engaging more than 100,000 people in community improvement projects.

According to the latest available figures, Groundwork North East delivered more than 600 programmes across the region with a value of more than £10m during 12 months.

In this timescale Groundwork North East achieved the following:

Integration of the Economy & Environment:

631 business supported
304 jobs created
238 formal qualifications gained
824 tonnes CO2 emissions avoided or saved
1,063 tonnes - diversion of waste from landfill

Education and Community Involvement:

31,366 young people involved in projects
76,018 adults actively involved in projects
363 schools involved with Groundwork
351 community organisations supported

Physical Environmental Improvements:

21,774 trees planted
130 hectares of land improved
698 hectares of land maintained

Partnership is key to Groundwork North East achieving its goals and as a result, it works in collaboration with private companies, local communities, public bodies, housing associations and voluntary sector organisations.

The aims of its projects included assisting businesses to improve their green credential, increasing people’s employment prospects and potential, improving the quality of residents’ lives, and helping regenerate and enhance the neighbourhoods where they live, work and play.

Kate Culverhouse, Groundwork North East Managing Director, said: “Working collaboratively with a range of organisations across the region is making a real impact on people’s lives and on the communities in which they live.

“By joining forces with stakeholders and partner agencies, it is possible to engage with businesses and galvanise and empower communities and individuals to embrace projects to help alleviate unemployment and enhance the fabric of the region.

“Groundwork also is involved in schemes that assist companies to improve their green credentials and reduce their environmental impact.”

Groundwork North East’s programmes aim to improve the environment, health and wellbeing of individuals, upskill and find employment for the long-term unemployed and those classed as NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) and help businesses and communities reduce their environmental impact.

Groundwork North East, which employs more than 165 people and has taken on ten apprentices, is involved in schemes such as:

Working in partnership with Derwentside College to provide apprenticeships in environmental caretaking and administrative roles.

Teaming up with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is to help small and medium-sized enterprises improve their environmental management systems.

Delivering the Nu-Traxx Youth Contract provision in County Durham.

Providing horticultural training at Butterwick Tree Nursery for ex-offenders on behalf of Durham and Tees Valley Probation Service in conjunction with East Durham College and A4E.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .