[Press Release] Charity Groundwork London, Grosvenor and Westminster Council: building a greener economy with fairer job opportunities
Last Thursday*, Groundwork London celebrated the graduates from its supported employment scheme**, funded by Grosvenor through their Greener Futures programme and in partnership with Westminster Council. The Greener Economy in Action and Celebration event took place in the Lords’ Mayor Parlour room and was attended by over 40 people.
Community and environment charity Groundwork London connects the dots between a fairer society and a greener economy by offering waged job placements to people who are the furthest from the job market, including long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and over 50s.
Grosvenor has supported Groundwork for over three years as part of their Greener Futures programme, empowering community led climate action and improving people’s lives by supporting training and jobs in the green economy.
Thanks to Grosvenor’s funding, 72 people have been offered six-month paid work placements as either a bike mechanic at Westminster Wheels, as a gardener for the Green Team or as part of the teams delivering Grosvenor’s retrofit programme.
Over 75% of trainees who have completed, have moved to long-term employment on the back of their work placement with Groundwork London, currently working for companies like Continental, IDVerde, Balfes Bikes, A&S Cycles and the Royal Opera House.
The Greener Economy in Action event was attended by: Graham Parry, Director of Youth, Employment and Skills at Groundwork London; Grosvenor Property UK CEO James Raynor; Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development; as well as 14 previous and current trainees.
Groundwork London’s employment programmes not only offer skills and job opportunities to those who need them most but also offer a meaningful purpose by contributing to making London greener.
To date, trainees supported by the Greener Futures programme have:
- given a second life to over 3000 bikes
- donated over 400 bikes to local individuals and groups
- maintained over 13 hectares of green space in Westminster
Cllr Geoff Barraclough opened the event by stating how important projects like Westminster Wheels and The Green team by Groundwork London are to create a “Fairer Westminster” and to support Westminster to become a net zero city by 2040.
The event was an opportunity to hear first-hand from many of the current and ex-trainees, to hear some of their experiences of the programme and what they achieved since. It is an opportunity to recognise their success and the part they have played in supporting Westminster to achieve its environmental goals.
Four past and present trainees, between 20 and 50+ years old, discussed their experience of the job market in London and how receiving support from charities, local authorities and private organisations can be a life changer to one individual as well as to a community. David, 50+, who currently lives in a hostel, told us how the work placement contributed to taking him out of sleeping in the street. Alejandro explained joining the programme during probation, and shared how a positive work environment helped him leave street life behind.
Graham Parry, Director of Youth, Employment & Skills, Groundwork London said: A more representative workforce is vital if we’re going to encourage a wider variety of people to become environmental guardians and critical to building the workforce required to enhance our green infrastructure. We encourage companies to give candidates a chance to showcase their aptitude and personality through work placements, to grow and strengthen their workforce by finding dedicated and diverse candidates and future employees. Our Westminster Wheels, Green Team and retrofit placement programmes are leading by example and proving to be a success with over 75% of our trainees leaving long-term unemployment on the back of our programmes.
James Raynor, CEO, Grosvenor Property UK said: As an organisation with longstanding ties to Westminster, it’s fantastic to see Londoners train and find employment opportunities in the green economy through our Greener Futures programme. The positive impact we have created over the last three years is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Groundwork and Westminster City Council.
Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Westminster City Council said: We want to make sure all our residents have the confidence, skills and connections to develop their careers in our City. I’m a regular customer of Westminster Wheels and it’s been wonderful to see its impact on the lives of its trainees, many of whom have gone on to full time work, but also on the local community, many of whom have been encouraged to get on a bike for the first time. Thanks to Groundwork, Grosvenor and everyone who made this possible.
Testimonial by Saffron Andrews, Westminster Wheels graduate: Working at Westminster Wheels showed me that a work environment shouldn’t be toxic but a pleasant place to be. I owned no bikes before I worked at Westminster Wheels – now I have two refurbished bikes! At the end of my seven-month work placement at Westminster Wheels, I got a job offer as a full-time professional cycle mechanic at About the Bike!”
Testimonial by Asan, current Westminster Wheel trainee: Working at Westminster Wheels changed my life. It’s given stability. It’s given me an extra skill set and I now cycle a lot; which I enjoy doing.
Testimonial by Douglas, Green Team graduate: I have worked many jobs in my life, including being a bus driver. But I found the irregular working hours and different shifts very difficult to adjust to. And working on the road can be pretty stressful. I feel much more relaxed now that I work with the Green Team. I am not stressed anymore and I can really enjoy my time off and evenings.
*The event took place on Thursday 21st November 2024
**We call these jobs “Supported Employment”. They are for six months, 20 hours per week and paid the London Living Wage. In addition to the supervision and training “on the job”, each Trainee received additional advice and coaching to make the best of their placement and secure a long-term job upon completion of their six months.
Notes to Editor:
About Groundwork London
Groundwork London is a charity that works with communities across the capital to transform their lives and the places they live. We have been at the forefront of social and environmental regeneration in London for over 30 years, and today we have a simple mission: to create better places, improve people’s prospects, and promote greener living and working.
We are passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny, and no one is held back by their background or circumstances.
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/london/employment-skills/
About Westminster Green Team: First established in 2019 with a grant from Westminster City Council. The team offers six months of paid work experience & training to unemployed Westminster Residents. The team undertake maintenance and improvements to green open spaces in the Church St and Lisson Grove areas of Westminster.
About Westminster Wheels (WW): First established in 2021 with a grant from Westminster City Council, in partnership with Groundwork London and Cycle Confident. WW offers six months of paid work experience & training to unemployed Westminster Residents. It operates as a community bike shop on Church Street, refurbishing and selling unwanted bikes, and servicing customers’ bikes. Donating bikes to organisations in Westminster to encourage more people to cycle.
https://westminsterwheels.co.uk/
About Grosvenor
Grosvenor is an international organisation whose activities span urban property, food and agtech, rural estate management, and support for philanthropic initiatives. With a 340-year track record, we are committed to delivering lasting commercial, social, and environmental benefits, meeting today’s needs while taking responsibility for those of future generations.
Our UK property business supports around 1,000 businesses and thousands of residents and workers across London’s West End, while also investing in sustainable neighbourhoods in Liverpool and across England. As a company aligned with the 1.5°C climate target, we pioneer change and innovation in urban development, ensuring our places benefit both people and the planet in the long term.
Contacts
Contact: london.press@groundwork.org.uk
Groundwork London
Instagram: @groundworklondon/
Facebook: @GroundworkLondon
Twitter: @GroundworkLON