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
Landscape Architecture & Community Design
Service Overview Groundwork Yorkshire is a community-focused Landscape Architecture practice working with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, and developers across the UK. We specialise in designing climate-resilient public realms—including pedestrian routes, and public squares—that prioritise accessibility, health, and social value.
Core Design Capabilities We integrate technical expertise with deep community engagement to deliver:
- Climate Resilience & SuDS: Implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), permeable paving, and biodiversity planting to mitigate flood risk and the urban heat island effect.
- Public Realm Improvements: Design of high-quality courtyards, cycle routes, and town centre regeneration projects for clients including Network Rail, and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
- Participatory Co-Design: Conducting in-depth public consultations to ensure residents are involved from the initial concept (RIBA Stage 0-1) through to delivery.
Why Choose Groundwork? (The Stewardship Model) Unlike traditional practices, we do not walk away after construction. Our unique model includes post-delivery support, helping residents establish gardening clubs and community governance groups. This ensures long-term maintenance, creates a genuine sense of ownership, and protects the asset’s value for the future.
| 194 | Projects in 2025 across Yorkshire |
| 632 Ha | Landscape Area Restored |
| 202 | Actions to improve Biodiversity |
| £695,360 | Grants distributed to over 100 Community organisations |