Groundwork Business Plan 2015 - 2016

GROUNDWORK CHANGING PLACES AND CHANGING LIVES IN BOLTON, BURY, OLDHAM & ROCHDALE

BUSINESS PLAN2015 - 2016

Contents1. Our aspirations – Meeting the challenges ahead

2. Our vision – Growing for our future

3. Impact – Our recent achievements

4. Summary for 2015-16 – Our goals and objectives

5. Get involved – Ways you can support us

6. Plans for 2015-16 – What we will deliver

7. People – Our team who make it happen

8. Organisation charts – Our team structure

9. Our partners – Organisations who support us

10. Governance – Our Board of Trustees

Groundwork Business Plan 2015-2016 3

Recent comments from our stakeholders:

“Excellent delivery teams, who are committed to delivering services that benefit local people.”

“Great prospects for young people to engage positively with local communities and make a difference.”

“Local community knowledge and high quality staff”

“Brings additional capacity and flexibility to deliver projects that local authorities are struggling with due to budget reductions.”

“Professional service with a thorough understanding of communities and of sustainable environmental solutions to help enhance our neighbourhhods.”

1. Our aspirationsMeeting the challenges aheadOur missionGroundwork was established in our boroughs more than three decades ago as an experiment to galvanise communities, businesses and public sector in a joint effort to improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development in places that had become run-down and neglected. As a Trust we have developed, grown and expanded to cover the areas of Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale - delivering projects and programmes to the value of around £4 million per annum. We’ll keep changing places and changing lives until everywhere is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and everyone can reach their potential.

Our strategyThis plan sets the direction and targets that will influence operational decision-making across all our service areas over this next year. Our vision for the future is to support communities to be vibrant, thriving and sustainable. It responds to the fact that the current economic and political context will see demand for Groundwork’s services rising, whilst the availability of public sector resources to respond to that demand continues to fall. In order to remain viable and deliver our mission, Groundwork needs to maintain and build its reputation for cost-effective delivery, increase the scope and range of its partnerships and income sources and make the most of its collective capacity and capability.

Our delivery strategy has been developed on the basis of a number of principles:

• We will stay true to our mission and values

• We will innovate by developing our existing staff and expertise rather than seek to acquire a brand new resource and skill set

• We will make the most of our reputation by building improved products and services on the basis of those we already deliver well

• We will concentrate our collective efforts on areas of work where there is clear and significant future need and business opportunity for Groundwork as a whole.

Our Business Growth Group meets regularly to ensure that our longer term vision is shaping the actions we take now. This strategy will drive action across our Trust in three major areas of activity.

Improving people’s prospects – delivering support to increase the confidence, skills, well-being and employability of those furthest removed from the labour market, in particular young people.

Creating better places – supporting people to work collectively to make their surroundings greener, safer and healthier and be actively involved in the way decisions are made about services in their area.

Promoting greener living and working – helping people and businesses learn more about their environmental impact and act responsibly to reduce natural resource use and improve their health.

Vicki Devonport, Executive Director of Groundwork (in Bolton, Bury, Oldham & Rochdale)

4 Groundwork Business Plan 2015-2016

A word from the ChairAs the new Chair of Groundwork I am delighted to provide a brief introduction to the Business Plan for 2015/16.

We live in interesting times, full of challenge and with a positive outlook, good opportunities also. In my view since 2008 we have lived through a vastly changing landscape, and the next 5 - 10 years will present huge challenges for our local communities. As the economy recovers, continued reductions in public spending mean there is a risk of greater social inequality and greater geographic disparity. There also seems little doubt from the economists that, if unchecked, the national recovery may not be mirrored locally, and our boroughs could lose out on growth. The Board therefore believe that it is essential that Groundwork steps up to the mark and works in partnership on delivering what it always has; strong and confident communities. We need to grasp the opportunities of change, like the way public services will be delivered in future, and take advantage of the changes that greater devolution for the conurbation (so called ‘DevoManc’) offers.

As the Executive Director’s foreward points out, Groundwork was established at a time of political, social and economic challenge, as an experiment to help communities find their own answers to the problems they face. That experience and that spirit of enterprise and innovation have never been more needed than over the coming few years.

I passionately believe that we are uniquely placed to deliver on a wider agenda, valued by our customers and a trusted partner to be able to seize opportunities that change inevitably will bring. It will be hard work, but if we get it right, we will not only secure the future for Groundwork, but also help sow the seeds of future prosperity for the communities that we serve.

This Business Plan sets out specifically what we will be doing in 2015/16 to deliver on our mission, and continue to evolve the Strategy. The Board, our staff and partners are fully committed to its delivery and we will both monitor progress and evolve our Business Plan to fit with our wider strategic aims and take advantages from opportunities. Therefore with the latter in mind, and as an organisation that prides itself on listening to what communities and partners need, we would welcome any feedback on the plan and its proposals. Contact details are included on the back page.

John Bland, Chair of Groundwork (in Bolton, Bury, Oldham & Rochdale)


“It will be hard work, but if we get it right, we will not only secure the future for Groundwork, but also help sow the seeds of future prosperity for the communities that we serve.”

2. Our visionGrowing for our future

Each year as a Trust we consider the following: • How can the Trust continue to grow

and develop in a sustainable manner• How is the Trust adapting to

changes in the national and local economic structures

• How will the Trust embrace technological change and community expectations.

We have identified some of the challenges the Trust will face over the next five years and these will drive our business growth and development strategy as well as our organisational structure. These will include:

• Maintaining acceptable living standards

• Developing greater community resilience

• The impact of reduction in public services

• Responding to the needs of an ageing population

• Building and maintaining affordable homes

• Climate change and flood resilience• Transport congestion• Fuel poverty• Bridging the skills gap• Regional devolution.

The Trust has changed significantly over the last 30 years in order to adapt to the developing needs of the communities which we serve. During the last year the Trust has refreshed its vision for the Trust for the next 5 years in order to reflect the insight, experiences, priorities and challenges that the Trust faces in the coming years.

How does our vision reflect our approach to business growth?

Our vision influences the way the Trust looks at future opportunities. This work is led by the Trust’s Business Growth Group, whose remit is not only to consider and respond to opportunities as they arise but also to develop longer term strategic partnerships to enable the Trust to be ready to align its offer for future business growth.

Below are some examples we are currently focusing on within our business growth strategy:

Vibrant• Supporting behaviour change in

communities • Developing volunteering within our

communities• Embracing the opportunity to

develop new ways of working via new technologies.

Thriving• Providing local jobs for local people• Keep Warm, Stay Well programmes • Improving health and wellbeing • Ageing well • Skills and training• Building on the skills and assets of

the local community.

Sustainable• Maintaining access to green spaces• Developing flood resilience• Climate change• Energy reduction• Retaining horticulture within our

communities• Financial inclusion.

The Trust in 2020 should be:A local organisation which provides opportunities and services to support local communities to be:

• Vibrant

• Thriving

• Sustainable


3. ImpactOur recent achievements


Income• Local Authorities• Central Government• Public Funded Orgs.• European Union• National Lottery• Private Sector• Other

2013 - 2014£4.09m

2012 - 2013£3.38m

2014 - 2015£3.90m

We supported5,172 people...a third aged below 25

We improved the school attendance of 168 under 16s

Our learners gained 593 qualifications

We worked with40 schools

We improved & maintained 129,000m2 - an area of land larger than 30 football pitches

We helped 1,542 people gain employment

During 2014-2015 we achieved the following:

4. Summary for 2015-16Goals and objectives


We will help 1,430 long-term unemployed adults, 600 will be from Bury. They will gain skills, confidence and a better chance of securing employment. 300 of these will go on to get a steady job.

Of the 20 schools we intend to work with, we aim to improve 2 schools grounds in Bury. We will help them to obtain match funding, carry out landscape design and consultation, and deliver the scheme on the ground.

Of the 400 NEET young people we will support, 100 will be from Bolton. We will help them achieve positive outcomes such as college courses, training and employment. We will also work with 18 under 16s to improve school attendance and attainment.

We will run 27 Prince’s Trust Teams, 6 of which will be in Bolton where we will support 72 unemployed young people aged 16-25, volunteering for a total of 32,400 hours.

BoltonBury

This business plan sets out our commitment to the communities we serve over the next year. In this section we have summarised some of the objectives we plan to achieve in the boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale. To achieve these objectives we will build on our existing network of partners and look to develop new partnerships. We want to ensure that our programmes reach the people who need the most support and that the support we deliver is sustainable.

We will deliver 84 projects valued at over £3.6m across all four boroughs.

We will work with 3,000 individuals - over a third aged below 25.

We will support our learners and volunteers to gain 500 qualifications.

We will assist 80 businesses with environmental, H&S, quality management and CSR programmes.

We will support over 20 schools to improve attendance, attainment, progression and improve their grounds.


We are already collaborating more closely with fellow Groundwork partners in the North West to present a single Groundwork offer across Greater Manchester to commissioners and partners.

We will support 250 people from Oldham through food growing, cooking and eating projects for the improvement of their health and wellbeing.

We will support 280 households in Rochdale who are in fuel poverty, helping them to reduce their energy bills whilst saving or avoiding over 350 tonnes of domestic CO2 emissions.

We will work with Oldham employers to secure 100 work placement opportunities and help 40 people into work.

We will continue to support 15 Rochdale households in providing affordable accomodation. We will also refurbish 5 homes whilst providing Traineeships to 36 young people.

Rochdale

Oldham

Trust Quality objectives• 85% of staff completing the annual staff survey to

agree or strongly agree that “I would recommend Groundwork as a good place to work”

• 95% of customers completing surveys to state that they would be happy to work with us again

• 30% increase in the rate of WMWBS Health and Wellbeing survey completion by participants who finish our programmes

• 60% of customers completing surveys to report an improvement in their health and wellbeing.

Trust Environmental objectives• Gas: Reduce expenditure by £1,500 compared

to 2014/15• Electricity: Maintain parity with 2014/15

expenditure during 2015/16 • Water: Limit water use to 2014/15 levels • Fleet efficiency: 28 mpg across the fleet• Paper usage: To reduce to 14 reams per

EFTE per annum• Waste: 50% of staff to have waste awareness

training• Waste: Review waste produced quarterly• Energy: All domestic properties that receive

capital works to have a completion EPC rated at C or above.

IMPROVING PEOPLE’S PROSPECTS

CREATING BETTER PLACES

PROMOTING GREENER LIVING & WORKING

5. Get involvedWays you can support us

Partnership opportunitiesOur success often depends on the strong partnerships we build with other organisations. From schools and local authorities to housing providers and community groups, the work we do is often built upon the foundation of partnership working. Partnerships bring many different benefits, whether providing match funding, supporting our existing programmes or simply acting as a conduit to the communities and individuals with whom we work. If you are interested in developing a partnership approach to a particular programme or activity please call 0161 624 1444 or email [email protected]

Training and volunteering Want to take part in some of the programmes we offer? Whether it’s working with us to renovate void properties, joining the Prince’s Trust to boost your confidence and life skills or taking part in one of our community projects then please visit our website, email [email protected] or call 0161 624 1444.

Business supportIn these tough economic times, the costs of recruitment and running your business are increasing. Groundwork offers a free recruitment service to businesses, lining up interviews and providing suitable CVs. We provide consultancy support, training and advice to organisations on a range of business issues – ensuring legal compliance, improving profitability and delivering valuable cost savings. We also help improve the appearance of your facilities with grounds improvements and maintenance. To find out how Groundwork can support your company please call 0161 624 1444 or email [email protected].

Supporting GroundworkIf you share our desire for making a real difference to the lives of local people then you can support us in the work we do by fundraising on our behalf or making a donation. If you want to make a positive contribution to the local area or donate tools, materials or time then please get in touch on 0161 624 1444 or email [email protected].


6. Plans for 2015-16What we will deliver

Within this section you will find an introduction to each team as well as a recent success story of someone who has benefitted from the services offered by the team. Through our Business Planning process, each team has also provided its own Quality and Team objectives for the year ahead. The operational teams are now categorised as:

6.1 Neighbourhood Services

6.2 Youth & Community Services

6.3 Energyworks

6.4 Work & Employability Services


Terrie’s storyTerrie, now aged 28 and from Oldham, took part in the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programme in 2012 to boost her confidence. As she was aged 25 at the time she knew it could be the last opportunity to get her life on track.

“Before Groundwork Prince’s Trust I was sat at home with my daughter and I had no confidence. My brother had already done the Team programme at Groundwork and I saw the leaflets in the shop so I decided to give it a go.”

“The most valuable thing I got from the programme was gaining my confidence back. Having this enabled me to go on and do other things that I had wanted to do before. I did my work experience at Premiere Pre-School and from this I got a reference and the manager said she would have employed me if there was a vacancy going at that time.”

“As well as gaining all my certificates such as Level 1 Employability, Level 2 Food Safety, ABC First Aid, L1 Health & Safety and 100% Attendance, I also got the Sid Jacobs Memorial Award. This award is presented by the Team Leader from votes from all the team members. I cried when I got this award, knowing that everyone voted for me and hearing the comments that people had made.”

“I am now employed in a care home and looking to grow my career in the care industry. Since finishing the Team programme I’ve completed my Level 1 and 2 Maths and English qualifications, moved house and I’m now learning to drive.”

“I loved every minute of my time at Groundwork Prince’s Trust and would come back if I had the chance. If you’ve got nothing else to do and want to get something out of life then complete the Team programme and have fun whilst you’re there! It’ll lead on to bigger and better things.”

Last year, 80% of completers responded to say that they had progressed into a positive outcome after completing the Team programme.

6.1Neighbourhood ServicesGroundwork creates better places. We improve neighbourhoods through physical improvement work, and where we can, build in opportunities for people to develop their skills and gain valuable work experience.

The team previously known as Land & Design has changed its name to reflect the work the team now undertakes. The new description, Neighbourhood Services, further aligns the teams into 3 distinct areas of work in which they cover Skills, Land and Homes.

The Skills Team provides both onsite and workshop led training programmes in the construction industry. They provide bespoke training to schools to meet the vocational needs of the learners. They provide onsite support for a variety of employment and training projects, and support unemployed young people into employment through Traineeships.

The Land Team offers an inclusive ‘end to end’ package to deliver projects that meet and exceed our customers’ needs. Making the most of our experienced staff, the service can include: consultation with clients; strategies; design and plans for funding applications to a wide variety of sources; statutory planning advice and guidance; in-house contract supervision and implementation which includes robust tendering procedures; health and safety and contract management.

The need for decent affordable homes is vital to the success of any neighbourhood. Our Homes Team is able to convert unused, unloved and often derelict properties into warmer quality homes suitable for all. However it is not just about the bricks and mortar - our team works with local people, providing them with the skills, training and qualifications to succeed within the construction industry.

In 2015-2016 we expect to work with at least 6 schools and 3 housing associations whilst providing qualifications to 50 young people. We will provide accommodation for at least 11 people whilst saving old buildings from dereliction.

The Neighbourhood Services Team comprises 13 core staff, 10 staff on employment programmes and a bank of casual workers to meet peaks in demand.

Team Objectives• To complete the renovation of

a former manor house into 5 apartments and cafe in partnership with Rochdale Council

• To deliver 5 NVQ level two qualifications and 43 level one qualifications in construction related activities

• To deliver 6 new school ground improvements.

Quality Objectives• To maintain CHAS accreditation

beyond September 2015• To ensure we continue

Constructionline registration beyond August 2015

• To secure PAS 20/30 accreditation for the installation of small energy saving measures by end of 2015

• 90% of customers completing customer survey forms to rate Groundwork overall as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.



Reece’s story

Reece, aged 21 and from Rochdale, had finished college but struggled to find a job so he started to look for other local opportunities that would boost his CV. He joined the Housing Refurbishment programme to develop his construction skills and gain valuable work experience.

The Housing Refurbishment programme is delivered by Groundwork in partnership with Rochdale Council Strategic Housing and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing with support from the Department for Communities and Local Government. The scheme gives unemployed trainees a chance to boost their skills, experience and develop their CV whilst working together to renovate empty homes.

Reece gained 15 weeks of work experience completing plastering, painting, tiling, kitchen fitting and joinery at the property. Reece also completed training including manual handling, a plastering assessment and work towards his CSCS card. He has now landed a dream job at Rochdale contractors Jackson Jackson and Sons Ltd.

Reece commented: “I’m very grateful to Groundwork for the chance to do the Housing Refurbishment programme. It’s been educational and fun doing it. I’m now delighted to be doing my apprenticeship with Jackson Jackson and thank them for this opportunity.”

Dan Burns, Housing Refurbishment Supervisor at Groundwork, said: “Reece is a great lad who has worked hard and is determined to use the skills he has learned to progress his career. I have seen first-hand how the Housing Refurbishment programme has opened doors for young people looking to take their first steps into construction.”

6.2Youth & Communities ServicesGroundwork helps local people to improve their life prospects. We support young people and adults within their communities to improve their health, wellbeing, confidence and skills, as well as their outlook on life.

Our greatest focus is on the needs of the individual - helping them to overcome barriers and fulfil their potential. Where possible we link personal development with community development – delivering projects that support local groups, bring different ages together, increase pride, wellbeing and community resilience.

Starting with young people of school age, we offer extra support to those individuals at risk of becoming classed as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). Our aim is to increase attainment and attendance, whilst raising their aspirations for life after school.

We offer a number of programmes focussed on NEET young people aged 16-25. This includes 1 to 1 advice and mentoring as well as specially designed courses such as the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programme.

For adults we offer training and voluntary opportunities that get people active, develop new skills and encourage local people to meet others from their community. Our projects often encourage people to grow their own food and get closer to the natural environment – both proven mechanisms to deliver health and wellbeing outcomes.

Our staff are passionate about changing lives in the local area. The Youth & Communities team comprises 53 core staff and a bank of casual workers to meet peaks in demand.

Team objectives• Engage over 300 NEET or at risk

of NEET young people in positive development activities

• Deliver 27 Prince’s Trust teams across Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale - engaging 350 participants in total. Of this number at least 135 will be aged between 16-18 years old

• Deliver Employability Skills training, engaging 200 learners with 40% progressing into employment

• Benefit 250 people through food growing, cooking and eating projects for the improvement of their health and wellbeing

• Deliver work to 20 schools across Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale across a variety of provision including increasing participation, raising environmental awareness and mentoring

• Develop use of social media to promote programmes and engage beneficiaries – targets to be reviewed through the quarterly Quality Assurance Group meetings.

Quality Objectives• Implement a schedule of staff

observations and monitor the findings on a quarterly basis

• 90% of all learners surveyed to state that they would work with us again

• 85% of all participants enrolled on a training programme to achieve their learning objective

• 85% of young people demonstrating personal development through our support.



Matt’s storyMatt (not his real name), aged 15 and from Bolton, was not doing well at school. Not only was his attendance down, his teachers feared that he wouldn’t achieve the grades he was capable of. That’s where Groundwork’s Youth Team stepped in.

Through the government funded NEET contract, Groundwork is able to provide additional support to young people aged 14 and above. Working in partnership with a number of schools, we are able to target those individuals most at risk of becoming classed as NEET.

Our Youth Team provided Matt with regular 1 to 1 support and organised a 12 week community project with 7 other young people. The group improved the community garden at Newbury Community Learning Centre, completing tasks including a general tidy up as well as preparing and preserving the fence.

Matt commented: “I have enjoyed my time at Groundwork. It’s been a great experience and I have made some new fantastic friends. It’s been a pleasure to work with [the NEET staff] as they have been fun to work with. In my time at Groundwork I have painted a fence and a shed and when we first ever started we did team building. Groundwork has helped me improve my confidence.”

Debbie, Pastoral Leader for year 10, said: “Matt has grown in confidence and will talk about the project. He has really enjoyed it and seems to be engaging with his peers much more in school. His attendance is 98% with no unauthorised [absence] compared with last year 86% with lots of unauthorised [absence], so attendance is excellent and Matt is trying really hard in school.”

6.3EnergyworksGroundwork promotes greener living and working. We help individuals and businesses benefit from improved energy efficiency within the workplace and at home.

Through our Energyworks partnerships we are helping residents be warmer, healthier and better off at home. We focus on the resident as well as the fabric of the home as we believe that is the best strategy for tackling the many issues connected to fuel poverty.

Energyworks includes the provision of full Green Deal Assessments, installation of energy saving measures (ranging from draft proofing through to the installation of new boilers), behaviour change suggestions, fuel debt management, health and safety advice and signposting to other local support services.

Groundwork supports businesses in their efforts to be more competitive, win new business, create and safeguard jobs, and reduce their negative impact on the environment. We offer training, consultancy and free recruitment services to organisations of all sizes and sectors.

Our support for businesses extends way beyond energy efficiency and environmental management. We provide health and safety expertise, help implement quality management systems and offer support in the delivery of Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.

Energyworks has a team of 8 staff.

Team objectives• To deliver a minimum of two new

health and fuel poverty related programmes in conjunction with partners in the private and public sector

• To expand our fuel poverty work into other areas of Greater Manchester working with Local Authorities, housing associations and contractors.

Quality objectives• 90% of our customers completing

customer survey forms to rate our services overall as good or very good.

• 90% of properties receiving capital works to have a completion EPC rated at C or above.

• To achieve Green Deal Advice Organisation status by May 2015.



Kay’s storyKay, aged 44 and from Bury, recently benefitted from Energyworks support as a result of a partnership with her housing provider. Kay contacted her housing provider and Citizens Advice Bureau to find out if there was any support available to help her out of fuel poverty.

“I was struggling to pay my bills and my gas and electric was sky high. I contacted [my housing provider] and CAB and they said they’d be able to help. Energyworks came in and helped me to switch energy supplier to the cheapest one. The adviser helped me change from pre-payment meter to monthly credit and get the Warmer Homes discount. I also got some new windows because the seals had burst, new radiators and radiator foils.”

“My next step is to get the credit bills going and start paying monthly. I can now turn my heating off when it gets warm because my house now does get warm! [Energyworks] helped me loads and I really appreciate it. I would have been stuck in a place where I couldn’t have paid my energy bills but now I can afford it.”

Through the Energyworks support offered, Kay has made a £200 annual tariff saving as a result of switching from a pre-pay meter, saved £104 by exchanging her meter, received £140 Warm Homes discount and received an estimated £150 annual saving through the installation of energy efficiency measures.

6.4Work & Employability ServicesGroundwork helps people to improve their employment prospects. We help individuals to build their resilience and skills to secure and sustain employment.

The Work Programme enters its fifth year in 2015 and remains the largest welfare to work programme in the country. We have already achieved over 1,500 job successes and are working with one third of all long term unemployed adults in Bury and Rochdale. A large number of our customers are claiming Employment & Support Allowance and we work closely with Seetec, our Prime Contractor, local businesses and health partners to address mental and physical health issues before focusing on back to work activity.


In 2015-16 we will expand the work that we do in Oldham, creating a Local Employments Team to deliver three significant locally commissioned projects:

• Stepping Up - a Job centre Plus commissioned project in which up to 300 local people have undertaken tailored work experience placements with local businesses as a way of improving their job prospects

• Parent Employment Project - employment support for single parents in Oldham. A partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham funded by Jobcentre Plus.

• Single Person Homeless Project - employment support for single people aged 25-35 at risk of homelessness in Oldham. A partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham funded by Oldham Council.

The Work & Employability team is made up of 19 staff.

Team Objective• To help 600 people find work and for

300 people to achieve three months of sustained work.

Quality Objectives• 90% of customers completing

customer survey forms to rate Groundwork overall as ‘good’ or ‘very good’

• To review customer feedback in May and November 2015, prioritise the top three recurring themes and to have put remedial actions in place within the following six months. To communicate these actions to customers using ‘You Said, We Did’ style posters and emails.


Denise’s story

Densie, aged 55 and from Bury, was unemployed and suffering from depression. She was referred to Groundwork by Jobcentre Plus as part of the Government’s Work Programme.

Due to her anxiety and depression Denise faced many barriers to attending sessions at Groundwork and finding employment. She was initially supported by one of our expert Employment Advisers over the phone and then encouraged to attend sessions at Groundwork with someone she knew. This led to her attending Counselling sessions with the Healthy Minds team at Pennine Care and a Confidence & Employability course.

me at ease and really helped me with my job search.”

“[The adviser] suggested I wrote to 10 care homes to ask about bank work. She helped me research and write the letters and encouraged me to go for it. I am now employed at a care home in Walshaw and have become permanent staff after initially doing bank work.”

“Without all the support and help from Groundwork I would still be in the place I was two years ago. I am now in work, off anti-depressants and moving forwards with my life.”

We helped and supported Denise at every stage, identifying her strengths, increasing her confidence and progressing at a speed she felt comfortable with. We were able to organise permitted work for 2 hours per day and this led to Denise applying for work in her chosen profession.

Denise commented: “Before Groundwork I was sat at home doing nothing. I suffered with depression and I never went out. I missed sessions at first but then I met [the Groundwork adviser], started attending sessions regularly and never looked back. She phoned me often, arranged private meeting rooms to put

7. PeopleOur team who make it happen

The quality of our staff is key to ensuring that the Trust delivers its business plan effectively. The Trust recognises the need to develop and retain staff and has systems and processes in place to ensure we support the staff and the wider Trust in all that we do. We do this by:

Staff Satisfaction Survey – We conduct an annual staff satisfaction survey, currently in its 5th year, and this allows us to map trends and identify areas of strengths and areas for action. Both sectional and Trust wide action plans are developed and monitored throughout the year via the IiP group and the Trust Board.

Learning and development of our staff – We do this by ensuring that a thorough induction is provided, through regular performance reviews and by offering opportunities for training. We ensure there is an equal opportunity for all staff and encourage them to reach their full potential.

Trust Quality Standards – In 2015 the Trust will be striving to achieve PAS20/30 and Green Deal Assessment Organisation status to help support our work around fuel poverty in particular. We aim to maintain our existing quality standards and accreditations.


Landscape InstituteRegistered practice

Our current standards and accreditations:


8. Organisation chartsOur team structure

Operations Director

Finance & Corporate Services Director

ExecutiveDirector

Youth & Communities

Services

Neighbourhood Services

Energyworks Work & Employability

Services

Human Resources

Facilities Finance

Organisational Structure

Operations Departmental Structure

NeighbourhoodServices Manager

Energyworks Manager

Youth & CommunitiesServices Manager

Work & Employability Services Manager

Skills Team

Land Team

Homes Team

Groundwork Business

Association

Prince’s Trust

OperationsDirector

Information Technology

Marketing & Communications

Youth Team

Skills for Jobs

Energyworks

Senior Management Team

Vicki DevonportExecutive [email protected]://twitter.com/Gw_Vicki

Quality & Training Manager

Business Development

Manager

Work Programme

Local Employment

Projects Team

Teresa JenningsOperations Director [email protected]

Stuart BrierleyFinance & Corporate Services Director [email protected]

Phil TreatonNeighbourhood Services Manager [email protected]

Rob GlennWork & Employability Services Manager [email protected]

John DaviesYouth & Communities Services Manager [email protected]

Education & Communities

Back on Track Stepping Up

Parent Employment Project

Single Person Homeless Project


9. Our partnersOrganisations who support usWe undertake our annual stakeholder survey each year to ensure that we:a) continue to meet our customers’ needs and b) continue to respond to what our customers want. We use this information to drive continuous improvement throughout the organisation. This latest survey is the 4th time we have asked our partners for their feedback. This year we received 55 responses.

Over half (58%) of the respondents have been working with us for over three years

and two-thirds (68%) have been working with us for over 2 years. The results showed the following: • 100% of respondents said that they

would be happy to work with us again

• 87% agree or strongly agree that Groundwork “is rooted in and understands local communities” and that Groundwork “is reliable”

• Over 90% agree or strongly agree that Groundwork is a professional organisation.

“An established organisation who have vast experience in supporting young people which dovetails nicely into the work we do.”

Our constitution allows each of the company members including Groundwork UK and Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale councils, to nominate members to the Board. In addition up to seven more members may be co-opted to the board.

Co-opted Nominees

Council Nominees

Groundwork UK Nominees

10. GovernanceOur Board of Trustees


Carol HopkinsBusiness Investment Manager, Rochdale Development Agency

Dr Emma Metcalfe-DunhamHead of REAL Trust

Bev SextonHSE and Quality Manager at Jackson, Jackson & Sons Limited

John Bland (Chair of Board) Treasurer and Deputy Clerk, GMWDA

Steve HartleyHead of Corporate and Commercial Dept., Pearson Hinchcliffe

Ian WhittakerPartnership Manager NW at UKTI Investment Services Team

Steve BrindleBusiness Development and Project Manager, Spring and Company Ltd

Cllr Shoab AkhtarCouncillor for Werneth, Oldham Council

Elaine McLean Executive Director, Economy and Skills, Oldham Council

Cllr Howard Sykes MBE (Vice-chair of Board)Councillor for Shaw, Oldham Council

Mark Widdup Director of Economy and Environment, Rochdale Borough Council

Cllr Martin RodgersCouncillor for Milnrow and Newhey, Rochdale Borough Council

Cllr Sufrana Bashir-Ismail Councillor for Crompton, Bolton Council

Cllr Ann StottCouncillor for Littleborough Lakeside, Rochdale Borough Council

Cllr Peter Bury Councillor for Radcliffe North, Bury Council

Find out more about Groundwork:T: 0161 624 1444E: [email protected]

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Groundwork Business Plan 2015 - 2016

Documents

Transcript of Groundwork Business Plan 2015 - 2016