Groundwork South – What we do
At Groundwork South, our efforts are rooted in the diverse communities across the southern region.
We are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with local people, understanding their unique needs and priorities. By actively listening and collaborating, we co-create tailored projects that bring meaningful change, making each community stronger, healthier, and more sustainable.
We work with local authorities, housing associations, private organisations and the voluntary sector to support communities and empower people to improve their lives and the place where they live.
Find out how we can work with you
Contact Becky Spake, Operations Delivery Manager, for more information
Our services
We believe in a greener and fairer future for all. We empower communities to improve their lives and wellbeing and we promote green spaces, biodiversity and nature conservation.
Greener Living and Working
We help people to reduce their use of resources to save them money – and become part of the movement battling the climate crisis.
Youth and Employment
We work with young people in and out of schools to encourage them to learn, to help them develop as people, and to have inspirational experiences that they will remember for life.
Parks and Open Spaces
Through professional management and conservation work, we safeguard vital green spaces for both people and wildlife. We actively promote volunteering, encouraging communities to take pride in their local areas and contribute to their care. Our efforts also focus on reaching those who are least likely to access green spaces, inspiring them to get involved and experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of connecting with nature
Community
We help people come together to change the places where they live for the better and to develop their skills, build their confidence and make new friendships.
Outdoor and Environmental Education
Groundwork South’s residential activity centres and outdoor education hubs are where adventure meets learning. Whether it’s hands-on environmental education, team-building activities, or immersive outdoor experiences, our centres provide unforgettable opportunities for people of all ages to grow, learn, and thrive in the great outdoors.
Grants and Community funding
We provide grant management services to national and local government, public sector agencies, corporate partners and charitable trusts.
Where we work
We believe in a greener and fairer future for all. We empower communities to improve their lives and wellbeing and we promote green spaces, biodiversity and nature conservation.
West of England
We run a wide range of projects in the West of England, primarily centred around our two main sites – Lockleaze Youth and Play Space (the Vench) in north Bristol and Goblin Combe Lodge in North Somerset. At the Vench our focus is on children and young people, for whom we run after-school and holiday play sessions in our adventure playground, youth groups, cooking clubs, forest school sessions and more. At Goblin Combe, we have a residential lodge, camping field and woodland where groups ranging from schools, scouts and guides to special interest groups and private hirers can enjoy being in nature for both day visits and overnight stays; we also work with local delivery partners to run forest school sessions, other outdoor activities and community volunteering days throughout the year. Beyond this, we’ve been running successful integration programmes in the Bristol area over the past few years, helping refugees, migrants and asylum seekers to settle into life in the UK through the provision of ESOL sessions, employment advice and cultural activities.
For more information, please contact our West of England Area Programme Manager, Hannah Baker, at hannah.baker@groundwork.org.uk.
South West
Saltmill Park was opened in 2008 following a successful campaign championed by Groundwork the local community and the Council. The site was formerly a disused rubbish tip which together we transformed into a 17 acre state-of-the-art public park incorporating a Skate Park, BMX track, an all-weather floodlit football pitch and pavilion, including a newly built community hub, cafe and learning space which will host youth programmes and neighbourhood connection activities.
Today we continue to work with the local community and Cornwall Council to ensure the park offers a range of high quality play, sports and fitness facilities for the whole community. Visit the Saltmill Park Facebook page for the latest activities and courses happening at the park.
For more information please contact: Stuart.Dudley@groundwork.org.uk
South East
Across Hastings, Groundwork South runs Greener Futures, offering family nature-based sessions and well-being conservation volunteering and allotment gardening. We also work In Combe Valley Countryside Park and Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve were we support with habitat management, conservation volunteering, education, and community engagement, school programs, and events like Creative Mondays. Both parks support biodiversity and provide inclusive access to nature through hands-on activities and environmental education. We also manage Bale House Visitor Centre, the first public straw-bale building in the South East and the Discovery Centre in Combe Valley.
Across East Sussex we delivery nature based youth work and children’s activities alongside the council.
Thames Valley
Two of our longest standing programmes of work take place in the Thames Valley area. Our programme of work in the Colne Valley Regional Park dates back to the formation of the Colne Valley Park Groundwork Trust in the 1980’s. One of the first Groundwork projects in the Colne Valley was the establishment of Iver Environment Centre and we have been running this community education centre ever since. We facilitatte two Business Improvement Districts in Marlow & Wycombe and undertake youth, employment and skills programmes from Newbury to Slough. Our Green Spaces team primarily works in the Colne Valley Regional Park but also operates across the wider Thames Valley. We act as catchment host for two catchment partnerships – the Colne and East Hampshire. We engage local communities through diverse projects including Project Groundwater and water efficiency and energy efficiency projects. We also manage grant programmes on behalf of Heathrow Community Trust and Grundon Landfill Tax
Our impact
10,000
people were supported to make green choices
15,000
hour of volunteering activities were delivered
174,441
square metres of land were improved