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ON THE GROUND Groundwork - changing places and changing lives in Bolton, Bury, Oldham & Rochdale | Issue 16 GROW YOUR OWN FOOD We’re helping communities to get growing! GROW YOUR CONFIDENCE Gain a new life outlook on one of our courses. GROW INTO WORK Unlock your career potential with Groundwork. HELP FROM LOTTERY WINNERS IN BURY THAT’S A WRAP IN ROCHDALE MOTIVATION PAYS OFF FOR MICHAEL

On The Ground - Spring 2015

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Our latest newsletter includes details of a new food growing initiative, careers support for young people, our new Grow Into Work course and much more. Groundwork - changing places and changing lives in Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale. http://www.groundwork.org.uk/bbor http://twitter.com/GroundworkBBOR http://www.facebook.com/GroundworkBBOR

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Page 1: On The Ground - Spring 2015

ON THE GROUNDGroundwork - changing places and changing lives in Bolton, Bury, Oldham & Rochdale | Issue 16

GROW YOUR OWN FOODWe’re helping communities to get growing!

GROW YOUR CONFIDENCEGain a new life outlook on one of our courses.

GROW INTO WORKUnlock your career potential with Groundwork.

HELP FROM LOTTERY WINNERS IN BURY

THAT’S A WRAP IN ROCHDALEMOTIVATION PAYS OFF FOR MICHAEL

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To find out more, enquire about one of our programmes of sign up please contact us today:

T: 0161 624 1444E: [email protected]/bbor

Connect and support us online:

2 ON THE GROUND

About usGroundwork helps people of all ages and backgrounds change their own life whilst bringing beneficial changes to their community. We provide training and create jobs, reduce energy and waste, re-connect people with nature and transform green spaces, community assets and whole neighbourhoods.

Groundwork operates locally across Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale but we’re also part of a Greater Manchester alliance and a wider federation of Groundwork Trusts, supporting communities across the UK. We’re a registered charity with over 30 years of experience, working with partners to deliver successful projects in the local area.

Produced by Groundwork BBOR. All information correct at time of publication.

Groundwork is a registered charity and a private company limited by guarantee.Registered Office: Groundwork, Environment Centre, Shaw Road, Oldham OL1 4AW. Charity registration number: 514726. Company registration number: 01762088.

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WelcomeHello and welcome to our latest newsletter. Spring is a time of growth and as you can see in the following pages Groundwork is helping people grow in many different ways. From courses that grow people’s skills and confidence to programmes that help people to grow their own food, Groundwork is changing lives.

We’re putting more and more effort into improving the health and wellbeing of the people we support. If you’re looking to get careers advice, help with your CV or get involved in your community we can also give you hints and tips to live more healthily. Please speak to a Groundwork staff member for more details.

This year sees us start some exciting new initiatives as well as continuing ongoing projects such as the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team, Green Team and Housing Refurbishment programmes. Read more about our full scope of work in our latest business plan.

As a charity we rely on the kindness of individuals and organisations to support our work in the local area. Read about our upcoming Charity Golf Day and other ways you can support us on the back page.

As ever please contact us if we can help you in any way.

Vicki DevonportExecutive [email protected] me on Twitter @Gw_Vickihttps://twitter.com/Gw_Vicki

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What’s Inside?Get help to get growing p4Careers support for young people p4Motivation pays off for Michael p5New Green Team gets started p5Grow Into Work on new course p6Help from Lottery winners in Bury p7That’s a wrap in Rochdale p7Grow your wellbeing p8

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Oldham has now got a team of five Growing Ambassadors to help you and other residents get to grips with growing your own food. Whether you are looking to grow food at home or as part of a local food growing initiative, the Growing Ambassadors are on hand to give you some support.

The Growing Ambassador roles have come about through the Get Oldham Growing programme supported by Oldham Council and Groundwork. Cherryl, Louise, Joanna, Simon and Stephen will be helping to organise community events, supporting community food growing schemes and giving help, tips and advice on food growing, wellbeing and healthy eating.

Cherryl commented: “I’m looking forward to meeting people interested in food growing and helping them get started. I am at the community growing space at Broadway Allotments every Monday and Saturday 11am-2pm. Come along, see what we’re up to and get involved. I will soon have some seed packs to give away and have lots of healthy recipes and growing tips if you want them.”

As well as helping residents, the team are also busy working with community groups and schools in the area. The aim of the Get Oldham Growing programme is to inspire more people to grow their own food and eat more healthily.

For more details on community food growing initiatives across Oldham visit getoldhamgrowing.wordpress.com

To find out more or get involved contact Cherryl Brock on 07525 856644 or email [email protected]

Careers support for young peopleAre you aged 14-19 and sussing out your next step in life? Do you know someone who could benefit from some free careers help?

Groundwork has a team of expert mentors to give you the support you need. Whether you’re looking for careers advice, help getting into college or support with your CV, we’ve got the skills and links to make a difference.

Janine Conway, Youth Team Leader, said: “We’ve had lots of success recently in getting young people into jobs, training, college and apprenticeship courses. We give you friendly support and help you make decisions about your career path and how to achieve your goals.”

Over the past year Groundwork has supported over 1,500 people aged below 25. As well as mentoring support we also run our own training courses, programmes and traineeships.

For more information or to book a careers advice meeting contact Lisa Morgan - 0161 624 1444, [email protected]

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Get help to get growing

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Michael, aged 20 and from Heywood, started with Groundwork to get free mentoring support and careers advice. Prior to this he had not been in any education, employment or training for over 6 months.

Michael had worked occasionally with family and friends but had no formal qualifications in construction – a career path he was looking to move into. His mentor arranged for Michael to start on the Housing Refurbishment programme at Groundwork to gain on-site experience and take his Level 1 Basic Construction Qualification.

Michael flourished on this programme, building up his skills and experience as well as gaining a qualification. Michael made such an impact that he was put forward for employment with Groundwork’s Green Team. He was successful in the interview and got the job.

Michael commented: “Groundwork is a great place to further skills and knowledge about being in the workplace. Before I was doing nothing and just dossing with my friends. Groundwork has given me something to look forward to such as getting a job and having knowledge of being on a construction site.”

Motivation pays off for Michael

We have just started the 11th Green Team programme in Rochdale. It enables previously unemployed young people to gain skills and work experience whilst making improvements to their neighbourhood. The aim is to help increase their abilities, confidence levels and work experience so they are in a better position to gain full-time employment.

Since 2009, Groundwork has partnered with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) to deliver this employed training programme. Green Team members work for six months on small scale improvement works on land managed by RBH. Green Teams have completed over 200 land improvement projects ranging from garden clean ups, green space enhancements and fence installation schemes.

The next Green Team is due to start in October. For more information contact Phil Treaton - 0161 624 1444, [email protected]

New Green Team gets started

“Groundwork has given me something to look forward to...”

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Want to help improve local nature sites whilst improving your employability skills? Groundwork has teamed up with Mencap to offer a new training course to unemployed people with a learning disability. Take part in a mix of activities, meet new people, improve your CV and have fun in the local environment.

This year we’ll be running three 10-week part-time courses in Oldham. Each course will support upto 10 people – helping them improve their confidence, skills and wellbeing. The next courses will start in June and September. To find out more or sign up contact Melanie Withington at Mencap - 07984 551 389, [email protected]

Take part in a TraineeshipIf you know someone aged 16-24 and from Rochdale, looking for a career in construction, then we have something to get them going. Our Housing Refurbishment Traineeship gives unemployed young people a chance to learn a range of trade skills, get on-site work experience and gain valuable qualifications. Not only that, we can provide careers support and have links to local employers looking for trained construction workers. For more details contact Phil Treaton - 0161 624 1444, [email protected]

Grow Into Work on new course

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Help from Lottery winnersYoung people taking part in the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programme have been joined by National Lottery winners for their latest community project in Bury. The winners and Team members donned their painting overalls to transform flats at Barnardo’s Rachel House in Bury which looks after homeless young people, supporting them to lead independent lives.

The community project is just one of many activities completed on the Team programme such as a residential week, 2-week work placement and team challenge. For details on the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programme or to read more about the day with the Lottery winners visit the Groundwork website. To speak to someone about the Team programme contact Jill Eckersley on 07739 978 794 or email [email protected]

Suggest a community projectAs part of our Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programmes we deliver over 20 short community projects throughout the course of a year. If you’re involved in a community group or organisation that has an idea for project then we would like to hear from you.

The project would need to be in Bolton, Bury, Oldham or Rochdale and be suitable for a group of between 10 and 15 young people. Typically Teams complete community garden makeovers as well as painting and decorating projects. The young people work together to plan, fundraise and deliver the project whilst developing their skills and experience.

If you have a suggestion for a suitable 2-week project contact Mike Beere – 0161 624 1444, [email protected]

That’s a wrap in RochdaleThe first of 80 Rochdale homes are getting wrapped in external wall insulation as part of our package of energy efficiency support for residents. Staff from Groundwork’s Energyworks programme are helping residents be warmer, healthier and better off at home.

87 year old Winnifred-Norma Buxton, a resident who has benefitted from Energyworks support, is impressed with the new insulation.

Winnifred-Norma said: “I am very happy with the work on the house and the look of the property from the exterior. I now feel able to better control my fuel bills.”

Energyworks advisors have been able to work on a street by street basis. Staff have been advising residents and explaining about the cost incentives for the installation of energy efficient measures.

Energyworks schemes have previously run in Bury and Oldham and we hope to expand the programme so that even more residents can benefit from the support we provide.

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Becoming more healthy – both in your body and mind – is something all of us could benefit from. That is why our staff are putting more time and effort into helping people improve their health and wellbeing. We are promoting lots of free resources, tools and local services that anyone can take advantage of. From free or discounted sports vouchers and help to quit smoking, to healthy eating and support to manage a long-term illness, Groundwork staff can provide advice and links so you can make a positive change. Read more on our blog wp.me/p35cgO-8R

Every single day, we work with people in their communities to reduce deprivation, provide opportunities for personal development and improve the environment. If you share our vision for making a difference in the local area then we would love your support.

Whether you’re looking to fundraise, volunteer or donate as an individual, as part of a business or looking to form a partnership then get in touch. To find out more or suggest a way in which you can support Groundwork contact Vicki Devonport – 0161 624 1444, [email protected]

New Groundwork plan for 2015/16It’s that time of year again when we launch our business plan for the year ahead. This document has been developed by our staff and Trustees with feedback from our annual Stakeholder Survey and customer surveys.

We would very much appreciate you taking a look over it (don’t worry it’s not too long) and seeing how you or your organisation can partner with us over the coming months. With your support we can have an even greater impact changing places and lives.

To read our latest business plan visit http://goo.gl/1QIrPP

Grow your wellbeing

Support Groundwork

Connect and support us online:

www.groundwork.org.uk/bborTo find out more, enquire about one of our programmes of sign up please contact us today:T: 0161 624 1444E: [email protected]

Groundwork is a registered charity and a private company limited by guarantee. Charity registration no. 514726. Company registration no. 01762088.