Public Sector
Groundwork & the public sector
We connect the ideas and aspirations of communities with the strategic aims of public bodies, establishing initiatives that ensure resources are targeted where they’re most needed and where they can have maximum impact on people’s quality of life and life chances.
As an organisation with its roots in local, place-based partnerships, we work creatively and collaboratively to support the development of a stronger civil society, and to ensure those people whose voices are seldom heard, have a stake in decisions about the services and facilities that matter to them.
We can help you:
Build stronger and more resilient communities: through our direct work with community groups and young people and by helping you distribute grants and provide support to grassroots organisations.
Respond to the climate crisis: by helping communities and young people take action on waste, pollution and plastic, helping businesses and public bodies to be greener, and by working together to protect and increase the biodiversity of green spaces.
Boost skills and local economies: through our employment and training programmes and our support for young people who may be struggling in education.
Improve town centres: through creating high quality open spaces, and supporting business improvement districts.
Tackle fuel poverty: our ‘Green Doctors’ help vulnerable people boost their income by saving energy and water, so that they can live more comfortably and reduce their environmental impact.
Promote health and wellbeing: through community initiatives to reduce isolation and encourage better self-care and by re-connecting people with nature.
Manage and maintain community assets: our landscape architects can design spaces that work for local people, enhance biodiversity and reduce maintenance costs while our community initiatives help people breathe new life into a range of facilities from cafes to youth clubs.
People & Community
Fuel poverty & domestic resource efficiency
Our Green Doctors help vulnerable people boost their income by saving energy and water, so that they can live more comfortably and reduce their environmental impact.
Places
Community greenspace design
Our landscape design teams and community workers engage local residents in the co-design of neglected spaces, creating vibrant, climate resilient greenspaces.
Employment, training & skills
Developing skills for the green economy
Our employment specialists increase residents confidence, allowing them to take their first step towards employment. We specialise in developing skills for the new, Green Economy.
Retrofitting
Retrofitting void properties
Our construction team bring void properties back into use, whilst simultaneously training people with the green skills needed to start a career in the construction sector.
Landscape Design
We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality open spaces that promote health and wellbeing.
That’s why we work with local authorities and housing associations throughout the UK to involve residents from the very start of the design process. We believe that everyone has a stake in their local green spaces, and we want to make sure that everyone has a say in how they are designed and used.
We design accessible, attractive and integrated public spaces, including; pedestrian and cycle routes, courtyards, public squares and even roof parks. Wherever possible we will introduce Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), permeable surfaces and planting to alleviate surface water pooling, reduce urban heat island effect and help tackle pollution.
We have worked with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Town Centre Consortiums and Transport Authorities including Network Rail and Transport for London. Conducting in depth public consultations we design quality public realm improvements that enhance the usability and accessibility of a space and meet the client’s ongoing maintenance requirements.
What makes Groundwork different is that we don’t just walk away when the contractor has left. We stay involved to support residents in setting up gardening clubs and other community initiatives. We believe that the best way to ensure the long-term success of a green space is to create a sense of ownership and pride among the people who use it.