ANNUAL REVIEW2014/2015

GROUNDWORK NE & CUMBRIA

Once again I am delighted to share with you this snapshot of a very busy and inspiring year of delivery. 2014/15 did bring opportunities but it also delivered a big challenge in making things add up financially. My fellow board members, and the senior team, have steered the organisation in a professional and efficient way and we have attained

the position we had planned, so my thanks to them for their hard work and dedication.

On behalf of the board I would like to thank our staff and volunteers for their sterling work in delivering our ambition of changing places, changing lives.

I am very proud that during 2014/15 Groundwork NE & Cumbria gained much recognition by winning several key accolades which included:-

• Jellystone Park being crowned sustainable Project of the year in the Building and Engineer awards

• Our very own Kate Culverhouse winning Key woman of the year in the North East Woman of the year entrepreneur awards

• The organisation being crowned best environmental project in the Durham/Wearside business awards.

This is my last Chairman’s words as I will stand down at the AGM 2015. I have been proud to serve as Chairman of this dynamic and inspiring organisation, and subject to election intend to stay as part of the board. I wish my successor all the best, as there are definitely even more exciting opportunities and times ahead.

A word from the Chairman

A message from the Chief Executive

Groundwork NE & Cumbria Board Members 2014/2015Chairman: Dr Jim Carrick

Trustees: Rosemary Anderson

Peter Brookes

Ian Brown

Monica Burns

Nickie Gott

Tracey Harvey

Chris Hook

Jim Lang

David Martin

Diana Pearce

Graham Street

Eddie Tomlinson

Henry Barrie (resigned March 2015)

Jim Carrick

Front cover image: The Play Programme’s Princesses & Superhero Walk with Meet My Mascot at Darlington’s South Park

2014/15 is our most challenging year to date. After thirty years of central government funding, the Trust no longer receives the grant which enabled it to develop such a wide range of local community led projects across the North East. Our accounts highlight this transition, as we used our reserves to the tune of £800k,

to fund longer term programmes, with returns to be seen in future years and to continue to fund local development opportunities. I would like to thank the board of trustees in making this difficult decision. This allowed us to continue delivering the services and activities that meet the needs of disadvantaged individuals and communities, from those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market; engaging disengaged young people, to those who benefit from using their environment to improve their mental and physical well being.

Having said this, we feel confident in our future, and having embarked on our thirtieth year, we look forward to our next thirty years and, as ever, are up for the new and emerging challenges this will continue to bring us. We look forward to working with our partners, old and new, in helping tackle the issues faced by people and places across the North East and Cumbria. I hope you enjoy our review.

Kate Culverhouse

“We feel confident in our future, and having embarked on our thirtieth year, we look forward to our next thirty years and, as ever, are up for the new and emerging challenges this will continue to bring us”

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Improving people’s prospectsDuring this year we continued with the growth of our employment contracts, increasing our geographical coverage by delivering in Cumbria and Tees Valley. We increased our youth delivery by expanding our National Citizens Service contract.

We were also able to commence a refresh of our volunteering offer as the absorption, in January 2015 of the volunteering charity 2D brought in additional resource that not only benefitted us but also the communities we work with.

James overcame a variety of obstacles whilst on our Motiv8 programme, designed to engage NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people in practical hands-on learning. With the support from our Youth Team he has transformed from being someone who was easily distracted and lacking in confidence into a hardworking, self-motivated young man.

Stuart, an enthusiastic and outgoing person, joined our Employment programme in Cumbria. His ambition was to become a Sound Technician. His ambitions were fulfilled when Groundwork secured him a placement at the Sands Centre, a place that Stuart was already familiar with and that provided an outlet for his creativity. Stuart has made fantastic progress so far and has been working with Example’s roadies and Alan Carr’s roadies and many more.

Stuart now aspires to run his own sound company and would love to take on an apprentice to “give them a chance like [he] had”.

“I have changed a lot thanks to Groundwork. I feel so much better about myself and I am now looking forward to the future with renewed confidence and I hope to gain qualifications that will help me get a job.”

With the help of our Youth Team, Jack Haywood from Durham turned his life around after becoming disruptive and his school attendance became poor.

We worked with Jack to help him alter his attitude and consider what he wanted out of education. He is now studying Health and Personal Care at college and as a result of the residential course has a new positive attitude to learning.

“ I am now looking forward to the future” Jack

“I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at the Sands Centre, It’s my perfect job!” Stuart

We are passionate about…

“You don’t realise what you are achieving until the staff point it out to you and then you think, wow I’ve done that!” James

Andy, 32, had been out of work for 8 months before getting a placement with Groundwork at Gateshead Nursery.

Before starting on the programme with us, Anthony, 46, had never worked since leaving school. His transformation within weeks was great to witness. He now looks after a team of 5 or so individuals.

“At first I didn’t want to come here but after a few weeks something changed and I now really love it. I love being part of a growing team, learning new skills and there’s an excellent atmosphere at the Nursery. It’s certainly given me an opportunity to improve my employment prospects and dedicated time to job search and fill out applications.” Andy

“I’ve never been employed before but coming here has made a massive difference. I love it here, love getting mucked in and working alongside other people as part of a team. I’m up every morning at 5am ready to go to the Nursery. It’s really helped me feel more prepared for work” Anthony

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As the level of activity on the site increases with the influx of new groups and individuals we are excited to see what can be produced in the way of fruit, veg and other produce and we also hope to see as many people benefit from the range of activities and find employment as a result of their time with us.

We support long term unemployed people through our Employment programmes one of which is hosted at Gateshead Nursery. Gateshead Nursery provides the perfect platform for employment clients to become job ready.

Cultivating Prospects at The Nursery

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We have engaged with:

We have helped:

We have delivered:

931

530

26,129

QUALIFICATIONSPEOPLE GET INTO NEW JOBS

OVER400

INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS

INVOLVING 2,663 PARTICIPANTS

YOUNG PEOPLE

The Target: Wellbeing programme came to an end in May 2015. Throughout the two year programme we positively impacted upon the health and wellbeing of almost 2500 people across the North East. Our impact in the participant’s words:

Hope’s StoryWhen Hope joined our Play Programme she had

been diagnosed with selective mutism. Hope was made to feel safe and comfortable at the Play

sessions, she could move freely around the room and choose her own line of play.

Whilst being initially shy, Hope began to develop friendships with other children. With the support of

Groundwork staff, gradually she began to speak more and more, even outside the play sessions.

Hope’s confidence continues to grow and grow as a result of attending our Play Programme.

ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN NEW

“I was attracted to the project because of the companionship. I enjoy anything outdoors – it keeps me fit and mobile. I’ve always enjoyed gardening and this enables me to keep going” Active Green Living participant

“It’s given me the confidence to grow my own organic produce, which I can use to make my diet healthier.” Street Eats participant

428 HEALTH FOCUSEDSESSIONS

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Creating better places2014/15 was a year of recognition for our Creating Better Places delivery. We won a number of awards for various landscape regeneration projects including Jellystone Park in Grove Hill, which won a national honour - the Sustainable Project of the Year at the Builder and Engineer Awards.

We were also acclaimed in three categories at the County Durham Environment Awards, topping off the year by winning the Green Award at Durham and Wearside Business Awards.

River Tees Rediscovered We received confirmation of a grant of £1.89m from the National Lottery via the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the River Tees Rediscovered Landscape Partnership project in June 2014.

Thirteen ContractWe celebrated winning a highly competitive tender for a social housing association, Thirteen Group, to deliver more than £4.6m of environmental improvements in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool as part of a five year investment plan.

The improvements spanned 11 projects across Stockton, Thornaby and Middlesbrough. The wide range of schemes included small enclosed courtyard gardens, large demolition sites and problematic areas of public open space. Each required a tailored design solution to ensure the best fit for each local community.

“Anson House feels safer and nicer to walk through now. I am really blown away that my views were listened to at the consultation” Christopher Gray, resident

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10,000

23,000

477

452

TREES PLANTED

THE EQUIVALENT OF…

LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITHNEIGHBOURHOOD

THAT’S OVER

25MILLION

TOILETROLLS

HECTARES OF LAND

Heart of Teesdale Programme

Care and Conservation in the Local Woodlands

Schools and colleges, as well as corporate volunteers from national organisations such as EE and Northumbrian Water have been involved with us on a wide range of environmental projects within the Heart of Teesdale programme.

Through weekly conservation volunteers programmes at Ashington Community Woodland and Pegswood Community Wood, 80 regular volunteers identified new learning skills linked to the care and conservation of the local woodlands.

Reception children swap the classroom for a woodland in Forest Schools.

The group learn about natural habitats and wildlife.

“I really enjoyed the day, when I got home I promptly sat down and fell asleep on the sofa, just shows what hard work and fresh air does for the soul!” Corporate volunteer from EE after taking part in Rhododendron clearance at Romaldkirk

“The children engaged throughout and gained a great deal of knowledge about animals living in their habitats… They were so enthused when they went back to school” Teacher, Allerdale School

IMPROVED & MAINTAINED

“Since the introduction of Groundwork I have learnt more in depth about the habitat and the species with events and activities held there” Stanley, Volunteer, Ashington Community Woods

TENNISCOURTS

We have supported:

IMPROVEMENTS

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Promotinggreenerliving andworkingIn 2014/15 we continued to make a significant difference in developing ecosystems and supporting biodiversity at our multi-award winning Elba Park in Sunderland.

We also tackled resource efficiency via the Waste Awareness Campaign in Partnership with North Tyneside council.

Community Waste Education

May 2014 saw the installation of the eagerly anticipated new wind turbine, located at The Greenhouse business centre in Annfield Plain.

The high yield turbine is only the third of its kind in the UK producing more than one million KWh of electricity per year, sufficient to power the equivalent of 250 homes.

It currently provides all the electricity demands of our Greenhouse office complex and also powers operations at Lanchester Wines who own the turbine. Any unused electricity is sold to the National Grid.

Campground Visitor and Education Centre in Sunderland is a purpose built facility for a programme of community waste education activity. We were successful in winning a contract to provide education sessions in the visitor centre as part of the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership. We delivered workshops to various schools in Sunderland to help them learn more about recycling and upcycling.

“The energy audit by Groundwork prompted us to embrace a green agenda”Tony Clearly, founder of Lanchester Wines.

New Wind Turbine at the Greenhouse Business Centre

“I am a great believer in the benefits of learning outside the classroom and the amazing educational opportunities available at the Visitor and Education Centre make learning about waste and recycling fun and engaging for all participants” Rebecca Cummins, class S10 teacher at Portland Academy

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1,457

1,139

TONNES

OF WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL

THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF…

x92STANDARD SIZED LORRY LOADS

WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES

THE WASTE GENERATED BY

HOUSEHOLDS IN

1 YEAR

Healthy Parks Healthy Minds

In both Sunderland and Middlesbrough, our Communities Living Sustainably projects support

businesses to reduce energy consumption and prevent pollution. Groundwork’s Environmental Business Services

support businesses with energy audits, sustainable travel plans and developing and implementing Environmental Management Systems which

ensure legal compliance as well as promoting key business principles.

Kirstie was living with long term depression, anxiety and ME. Upon hearing about the Healthy Parks, Healthy Minds project, she referred herself onto the programme.

The Healthy Parks Healthy Minds project allowed me to be less focussed on my illness. I have enjoyed meeting all the different people, everyone is really friendly and we are all united at the allotment. It connects us all and there is a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose and contributing to something. Making a difference when you feel low really does help” Kirstie

Corporate Responsibilty

“The course has provided me with a good understanding of environmental management procedures and policies that our company, as manufacturers follow and why it is important to do so. I found the course to be highly informative and very enjoyable” Delegate on a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Level 2 course in Environmental Principles and Best Practice in Sunderland.

We have delivered:

We have supported:

27CSREVENTS

200OVER

Businesses

We would like to give our thanks for all of the generous support Groundwork has received this year. We hope to make an even bigger impact next year.

• Banks Group• BBC Children in Need• Big Lottery Fund• Community Foundations• Comic Relief• Defra • Environment Agency• Forestry Commission• Heritage Lottery Fund• Housing Associations• Natural England• Local Authorities• The Land Trust• Thirteen Group• Public health and CCGs• All other funders who have

supported our projects

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Where did the money make a difference?

Improving people’s prospects £4,036,000

Creating better places £4,551,000

Promoting greener living and working £1,070,000

TOTAL £9,657,000

Where does the funding come from?

Central Government £56,000

Public Agencies £325,000

Local Authorities £1,209,000

European Union £80,000

Private Sector £6,410,000

National Lottery £756,000

Investment from Groundwork reserves £821,000

TOTAL £9,657,000

Accounts:Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31st March 2015

Get in touch:Central Office47/48 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, County, Durham, DL14 7NPT: 01388 662 666

Kate Culverhouse Chief Executive Kate.Culverhouse@groundwork.org.uk M: 07930 330 809

Nigel Orr Director of Finance & Corporate ServicesNigel.Orr@groundwork.org.uk T: 01388 662 666

Glynis Rocks Executive P.A.Glynis.Rocks@groundwork.org.uk T: 01388 662 666

Local offices Cumbria: 01900 602 743

Darlington: 01325 353 791

Durham: 01207 524 800

Northumberland: 01670 514 876

Sunderland: 0191 567 2550

Tees Valley: 01642 815 663

Gateshead: 0191 460 4280

Employment officesBishop Auckland: 01388 663 000

Carlisle: 07587 136 523

Durham: 0191 386 3861

Newton Aycliffe: 01325 300 544

Redcar: 01642 681 785

Workington: 0791868 3795

Gateshead: 0191 460 9508

Follow us on twitter /GroundworkNE

Find us on facebook /GWKNE

www.groundwork.org.uk/northeast

Key ContactsVicky Cuthbertson Head of Business DevelopmentVicky.Cuthbertson@groundwork.org.ukT: 01207 524 814 M: 07584 171 886

Steve Roberts Head of Youth, Employment & SkillsSteve.Roberts@groundwork.org.ukT: 01207 524 800 M: 07827 891 846

Chris Watson Head of Land & NeighbourhoodsChris.Watson@groundwork.org.uk T: 01642 815 663 M: 07818 513 774

Kay Bradshaw Area Manager (Northumberland)Kay.Bradshaw@groundwork.org.ukT: 01670 514 876 M: 07714 756 388

Stephen Armstrong Area Manager (Tyne & Wear)Stephen.Armstrong@groundwork.org.ukT: 0191 567 2550 (ext. 325) M: 07772 976 806

Julie Form Area Manager (Cumbria & Durham)Julie.Form@groundwork.org.ukM: 07827 819 844

Michele Armstrong Partnerships ManagerMichele.Armstrong@groundwork.org.uk T: 01207 524 862 M: 0771 2614 558

Geoff Dawson Land Enterprise ManagerGeoff.Dawson@groundwork.org.ukM: 07767 116 646

Lesley Gardner HR & Administration ManagerLesley.Gardner@groundwork.org.ukT: 01388 662 666 M: 07949 666 722

Sophie Wade Communications OfficerSophie.Wade@groundwork.org.uk T: 01325 353 791

Our paper suppliers have planted more than 100,000 trees and all of their stock is FSC certified coming from well managed forests.

Registered charity number: 1017706 Registered company number: 2702815

Groundwork NE & 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.groundwork.org.uk/northeast