“You’re improving your local community and can see the differences day-to-day” – Finn’s Story

As part of the Medlock Valley River Restoration Project, Groundwork and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) have been delivering green skills training at the Clayton Vale Community Hub. The programme aims to equip local people with nature-based skills, inspiring them to take ownership of their local environments and increase employability through practical, hands-on learning.

Kelly, a Green Skills Coordinator at Groundwork, has been delivering training in collaboration with TCV for several months, working to build confidence and practical knowledge among participants.

Experience and Impact

Finn began attending the green skills training while out of work. Initially drawn to the volunteering aspect, he found the structured learning, held every two weeks in classroom-style sessions, to be a key motivator. Sessions covered practical skills such as weaving, endangered bird identification, and tree identification using both Latin and common names.

“We’ve learned about weaving, identifying endangered birds like willow tits, and it’s just been good fun to spend time with the community.”

Through his involvement, Finn found not only skills development, but also community and mental wellbeing benefits:

• Physical Health & Routine: Regular outdoor activity provided a structured, healthy break from job hunting.
• Social Connection: The sessions created a space for friendship and local engagement. Finn continues to stay in touch with fellow volunteers outside the sessions.
• Community Pride: Interactions with local dog walkers and residents reinforced the value of the group’s work, contributing to a shared sense of purpose.

Outcomes

Finn has now secured an apprenticeship at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), where he will continue learning about horticulture in a professional setting. He credits the Green Skills Training with giving him a head start:

“We spent a whole session learning about tree identification, and that’s going to be a lot of what I’m doing at the RHS, so it’s nice that I can go in with sort of a head start.”

Reflection & Recommendation

Finn strongly recommends the programme to others:

“It’s really nice just to meet new people and to spend time in nature. You’re improving your local community and can see the differences day-to-day.”

His journey demonstrates how community-based green skills training can create pathways into employment, support mental wellbeing, and build local pride, all while improving and caring for natural spaces.

Watch our video below to find out more about the Green Skills Training programme: