Improving my health and wellbeing
Supporting people to live healthier, happier, more sustainable lives is central to our mission.
We believe that with the right support and encouragement, communities can provide invaluable support networks for people at risk of ill health or living with long-term conditions.
Groundwork is proud to work alongside local people to create healthy, inclusive, sustainable neighbourhoods that improve quality of life for every resident.
Our work supports people facing physical and mental health challenges in communities that have few facilities, limited employment prospects and are vulnerable to extreme weather events.
We do this by enhancing community green spaces, connecting people, reducing isolation, improving skills and giving people a sense of purpose.
Each year, 1 in 4 people in the UK experience mental health problems, with issues including having no self-confidence, experiencing increased social isolation and having lack of access to local green spaces.
Your Stories
Sheila’s Story
Eighty one year old Sheila Underwood from Blackpool is living proof that you’re never too old to give something back to your community.
“It makes me feel good that I can doing something for somebody else“
Colin’s Story
“Aged 20, I was at Hillsborough on the day that 96 football fans lost their lives. This had a huge and sudden impact on my mental health. Before I knew it, I’d been unemployed for 30 years.
“I’ve always been keen on giving something back. If telling my story encourages just one person to try spending time in nature, or to get involved in volunteering, then it has been well worth it.”
Richard’s Story
“Volunteering has given me the chance to use and share some of the gardening knowledge I’ve gained over the years and to learn from other people. But I don’t just come here for the gardening. Grozone has helped me make new friends, settle into my new home and contribute to the local community. It’s like a family here.“
Examples of our work
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Rivington Terraced Gardens
Rivington Terraced Gardens is a magical place of hidden paths, caves, structures and lakes covering 45 acres of hillside. The Gardens were originally created for soap magnate Lord Leverhulme as a spectacular venue for him to relax in and entertain. Situated on the hillside below Rivington Pike, the Gardens were designed by noted landscape designer…
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Prince’s Trust Team Programme
Stop waiting. START SOMETHING. If you’re aged 16-25 and you’re not happy with where your life seems to be going at the moment, it’s probably time you tried something new. Get involved. Each year, The Prince’s Trust Team Programme helps thousands of young people to get their lives back on track. Getting involved with the…
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North Blackpool Pond Trail
We are helping to make North Blackpool Pond Trail better for wildlife and a more enjoyable place for us all to visit. The area consists of 21 ponds, a lake, community orchard, woodland, wildflower meadows, flowering dyke, reedbed and 3 miles of footpaths. Our Impact The team makes improvements to thousands of square metres of…
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Grozone
Welcome to Grozone! We’re a cosy little community garden and wildlife project in Cheshire. Honestly the best way to describe our site is a ‘hidden oasis’ – it’s an incredible place for both mind and body, where you can learn new skills, meet new people, and generally improve your health and wellbeing in a friendly…
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Grow Blackpool
Grow Blackpool is a community growing project. We’re passionate about eating fresh fruit and vegetables and helping people to grow it themselves. This means we can also help you to save money, learn new skills and make new friends. What We Do We host volunteering sessions three times a week It’s free and everyone is…
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At the Grange
At The Grange is a community centre at Grange Park in Blackpool. It’s a great place to meet new people, learn new skills and improve your health and wellbeing. Our centre has something for everyone, including shops, a library, a café and a community farm. @theGrange also has meeting rooms available to hire, from small…
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Amberswood
Amberswood is a 160-hectare nature reserve in Wigan managed by Groundwork on behalf of Wigan Council. Originally formed by the flooding of former coal mining sites, it consists of a series of small lakes, ponds, woodland and wetlands, including a Site of Biological Importance. It is also home to nationally significant wildlife populations. Amberswood is one…
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Welcome to Grow Speke
Grow Speke is a community hub in Speke, South Liverpool. It is a partnership project between SLH and Groundwork CLM. We have worked together across South Liverpool for the last 7 years creating a vibrant community garden and food growing hub on this once derelict site. It is now a thriving place where people from…