Economy

Powering the local economy

If you think of the places where you’d like to live and shop they probably have one thing in common – the quality of the local environment.

People seek out good quality green space and are willing to pay extra to be near it - in fact  it can boost property values by 6% to 35%. Something similar also happens to local businesses - those that are based in good quality local environments have more customers and retain staff more easily.

However, the positive influence our green spaces have on the local economy goes far beyond making an area more desirable.

Green jobs

Ask James McManus, a participant on Groundwork’s Quadron Green Team, and he’d tell that traditional office based training wasn't the best route for him. Having spent most of his time working outside and looking to continue a career in the sector, the Green Team was the perfect alternative. For James, and many people like him, our urban oases are an important and appropriate step back into employment.  (You can learn more about James' experience and the project in this Inside Housing article.) 

Across the country we’ve found that green spaces are a vital tool to help people into work by building confidence, developing skills, providing experience and giving people their first qualifications. Our parks and green spaces are also preparing us for the future, giving people the skills they’ll need for a greener economy. Employment projects creating and improving urban oases are a practical way of giving people the tools to get jobs and also improve the environment and support communities at the same time.

Working for you

Caring for and investing in our green spaces also brings benefits that stop problems before they start costing money to fix. For example:

• Well maintained neighbourhoods don’t attract litter and vandalism that has to be cleaned up.
• People with access to good quality green space tend to be healthier and less stressed. This means they don’t have to miss work or use the services of the NHS.
• Our urban oases protect the local environment - soaking up flood water that might otherwise damage our homes or businesses, cutting pollution and moderating the local climate.
• Antisocial behaviour is greatly reduced, cutting policing costs.

All this means that your urban oasis is the unsung hero of your local economy. Take action now to help ensure it can carry on working for you.

• Green Team video

  

  See the Green Team employment programme in action. (Youtube video)

• Fiona Burrows

  

  Fiona was employed by Groundwork on the Future Jobs Fund Scheme as a horticultural worker.

• Welfare to work

  

  Our urban oases are an important tool for supporting people into work.