Groundwork in North Wales Spring Newsletter

Welcome to Groundwork’s Spring e-newsletter. At Groundwork in North Wales we create projects and services that benefit both people and the wider environment. We work on over 70 individual projects each year, focusing our activity on disadvantaged communities where we can make most difference.

Some news of our latest projects

Groundwork run a second phase of Future Jobs Fund Employment Programme

Groundwork are delighted to be starting the second phase of the Future Jobs Fund in North East Wales in May. We will be creating 156 jobs for young people aged 18 – 24 who have been unemployed for over 6 months. The scheme has proved both popular and successful and has made a real difference to the young people involved. Clients from the first phase are now progressing to jobs and training. One young man working in Human Resources is now going into study HR at college; another has fitted in so well at the Citizens Advice Bureau that he is going on to train as an advisor.

Could you place a young person in your organisation for 6 months at no cost to your company and give them an opportunity to experience work? Contact Nia Lederle, Employment Manager on 01978 757524, nia.lederle@groundwork.org.uk

STOP PRESS: Groundwork is running a Sustainability Fair on Saturday 15th May 11:00am – 3:00pm at Breakwater County Park in Holyhead, Anglesey. The Fair will be a great opportunity to gain information on how to live more sustainably with speakers, stalls, information and much more…. For more information contact Ali Thomas on 01978 757524.

Groundwork transform school grounds at Ysgol Penrhyn

Ysgol Penrhyn in New Broughton, Wrexham contacted Groundwork to help them to develop their school grounds. They had no play equipment or areas for nature study. Groundwork worked with the school Eco-Club to re design the outdoor areas. In consultation with the pupils and the teachers, we planned to make the grounds a much more interesting place to play and learn.
The new play area has now been completed and includes a willow dome, play boat, story circle, habitat piles, bird table, weaving logs, balance beams, a Welsh dragon and tyre monsters. Now the school has a wonderful outdoor classroom and the children have a much more exciting space to play in.

If Groundwork can help you transform your local area, please contact Christine Bowyer, Environment Manager on 01978 757524, christine.bowyer@groundwork.org.uk

Walkabout celebrates three years of lottery funding

Groundwork celebrated the success of Walkabout in Wrexham & Flintshire with celebratory events marking the ending of Big Lottery funding for the project. The scheme has provided free walks for local communities led by trained volunteers. Walkabout was set up to encourage people to improve their health, particularly in areas of deprivation and for people who do little exercise. Both schemes are being successfully sustained and the walks will continue across both counties. The following outstanding results have been achieved in the last three years:

• Over 90,000 walks have been completed.
• Approx 273,000 miles have walked in the last 3 years.
• 3771 new walkers have joined the scheme since 2007.
• 280 volunteers have been trained to lead walks for their local community.

If we can help your community to be healthier in 2010 please contact Chris Fox, Health Manager on 01978 757524, chris.fox@groundwork.org.uk.