Green Skills

The Green Skills programme supports people to improve their wellbeing, confidence and future opportunities through practical environmental activity and personal development support. Combining conservation and landscaping work with employability training, accredited learning and mental health awareness, the programme helps participants develop valuable skills while making a positive difference to local green spaces and communities. Activities typically include habitat improvement, practical horticulture, teamwork, wellbeing sessions and support with progression into volunteering, training or employment.

Green Skills in practice:

Practical days involve participants completing a wide variety of conservation and landscaping tasks that can include cutting back overgrown vegetation, making bat boxes, planting bulbs and shrubs, using drills, measuring and cutting wood, planting and maintaining trees, and much more. The engagement activities are led by the improvements needed on the green space that is to be worked on.

Indoor sessions focus on developing interpersonal skills including teamwork, communication, managing conflict and place a strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing. We cover topics such as dealing with emotions, coping strategies and practising self-compassion alongside support with individual progression, including CV development, interview skills and action planning for life after the project.

At the end of the programme there will be a celebration event with friends and family where certificates are presented as as a way to recognise and celebrate participant hard work and commitment.

Current Green Skills courses

Our next Green Skills & Employability Programme in Bedford runs from 6 October to 26 November 2026 at Jubilee Park.

The free 8-week programme is open to people aged 19–65 who are currently out of work and living in the Bedford area. Participants will combine practical environmental and landscaping work with employability support, helping to build confidence, develop workplace skills and take positive steps towards employment, training or volunteering.

The programme includes practical work to improve Jubilee Park and support biodiversity, CV and interview support, AQA Unit Awards, and the opportunity to work towards a Health, Safety and Environment Certificate to support a future CSCS card application.

When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am–3pm
Where: Jubilee Park, Bedford

Spaces are limited. To express an interest in a place, email Emily at east@groundwork.org.uk.

If you know someone who could benefit from the programme, please share these details with them.

Delivered by Groundwork East with support from Mott MacDonald and WSP.

Participant Quotes

The best time of my life and the best working experience I have ever been a part of, every week brought something new

I have really enjoyed it, I felt challenged and supported and I wish it wasn’t over

The course boosted my self-confidence and I am going to use the transferrable skills for my business – I hope to continue to upskill myself so I can use a chainsaw in the future

It was amazing, fun, and makes you feel good. I’m getting out more and my fitness has improved. I have become more social and made good friends. I will continue to do productive tasks and have a lot of knowledge from the course so will be able to use it in the future to find a job