On The Ground Spring 2012

News from Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale - Spring 2012 - Issue 6

G e t T h e S k i l l s F o r Wo r k

L i f e C h a n g i n g S t o r i e s

F o c u s o n F a l i n g e

L o c a l E m p l o y e r s To G e t P a i d To Ta k e O n S t a f f

2 Groundwork Oldham & RochdaleOn The Ground | Spring 2012

I n s i d eGet The Skills For WorkWe launch a new short course for unemployed people

Life Changing StoriesRead how Groundwork changes lives

Focus on FalingeFind out what’s on offer in Rochdale

Local Employers To Get Paid To Take On StaffCan the company you work for help local jobseekers?

Sign Up as a Groundwork VolunteerWe have voluntary opportunities for people of all ages

Green Light for New Green TeamsMore Rochdale residents to benefit from new skills

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We l c o m eA very warm welcome to all readers of our latest newsletter. With winter behind us, we have a spring in our step! We

start the new business year in a strong position, with 20% more project funding secured than in previous years. This is a great credit to the day to day efforts of our staff and volunteers, who work hard to deliver projects that improve the local area and change people’s lives.

Groundwork has some important landmarks coming up this year, both locally and nationally. It’s almost 15 years since we started to deliver the Prince’s Trust Team programme for young unemployed people and almost 3,000 16 to 25 year olds have benefitted from our courses. Nationally, 2012 is the 30th anniversary of the ‘Groundwork’ movement and there are some exciting plans and partnerships to mark this impressive milestone.

Best wishes to all readers,Cliff EllisonExecutive Director

P i c t u re sFront - One of many people who we’ve helped into work.

Above Top - Green Team has been shortlisted for ‘Partnership of the Year’ award at the 2012 Housing Excellence Awards.

Above Inset - A recent team of graduate volunteers. A new VPA team starts in May.

3Groundwork Oldham & RochdaleOn The Ground | Spring 2012

If you’re struggling to find work our new four-day Work Skills course could give you tips and tricks to keep you ahead of others the next time you apply for a job. Whatever your chosen career path, the course will give you new skills and understanding for the world of work. Tutors from Groundwork teach the basic skills that are valued by all employers and provide ideas for gaining relevant work experience.

Participants are involved in classroom based activities and given the opportunity to go and visit local organisations to learn more about the way they work. On completion of the course learners gain an Edexcel BTEC Level 1 Award in WorkSkills.

Groundworks Work Skills courses are open to any unemployed person and taking part does not affect any benefits. Courses will run throughout the year with the next course due to start on Monday 14th May 2012 in Oldham.

Paul Huntington, aged 24 and from Chadderton, has recently completed the course.

Paul commented: “Groundwork has been a huge boost for me and my current situation. Groundwork has given me very useful advice that can be used in looking for work and in my day to day life. I have gained a lot of confidence in myself thanks to Groundwork.”

For more details and course bookings contact Carly Kirby; [email protected] or call 0161 624 1444.

G e t T h e S k i l l s F o r Wo r k


Sonia aged 38 from Oldham, completed an Introduction to Volunteering short-course. “I was not working, heading down a fed up and bored path, possibly heading for depression. The Introduction to Volunteering course has been fabulous. I have learned lots about myself and what I would like to do in the future. I feel more inspired to do different things. Groundwork is interesting, inspiring, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the future.”

L i f e C h a n g i n g S t o r i e sGetting involved with Groundwork had a big impact on these people last year:

Peter, aged 48 and from Oldham, completed a voluntary placement with Groundwork. “Before Groundwork I had suffered depression and had a breakdown. Groundwork has given me the basic training to broaden my horizons as well as certificates to help me into employment. Volunteering has taught me the value of community and the importance of valuing yourself. Groundwork has inspired me to look for work in conservation and the community and to retrain and qualify in these areas. Groundwork is here to help the community, you and the environment.”

Anita, aged 44 from Uppermill completed a Practical Countryside Skills course. “I completed a six week course, 3 days a week 10am-3pm. I had to juggle a few things about, but other than that I was committed to the course to improve my countryside skills, learn new skills, meet like minded people and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. The countryside skills course was the first one to be delivered. It was a friendly and happy course, with lots of interesting people sharing their knowledge and skills.”

Adnen, aged 51 and from Rochdale, is a resident who has volunteered on Groundwork projects and is keen to see positive changes in his area. Commenting on a new community space (Melrose Playspace) created by Groundwork with support from M&S and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. “The old space was boring for the children with only a few items. The space was only used by surrounding residents and there were only two benches. After the development of the new playspace more residents and children from the wider area now use the space. More families use the space with adults sitting and resting on the stones whilst their children play.”

The community space has been the catalyst for other projects in the area. Adnen added: “I’ve been involved in the growing days, planting new trees and flowers. We learnt how to plant vegetables and took part in a cooking class. We’re now involved in two community growing gardens, planting peas, runner beans, mint, garlic and onions.”


Lee, aged 32 from Bury, completed a Building Craft Qualifications course at Groundwork. “I didn’t get any qualifications at school and have worked in construction as a labourer since I was 17. I didn’t have the confidence to study or to apply for any trades as I know I would have to start studying again. When more building sites started asking for the CSCS card I thought I wouldn’t be able to work on site again. Doug and Gary have helped me to see that I know more than I thought and this has helped me with coursework and I now have 5 qualifications under my belt together with a CSCS card. I have started to apply for jobs with big building firms which I never did before as I thought they wouldn’t take me on without qualifications.”

Nichola, aged 25 and from Oldham, completed the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programme. “Before doing the course I was a stay at home mum and found it hard to get a job. Groundwork inspired me to continue working towards becoming a nursery teacher and now I work in a pre-school and have started college. Groundwork is a worthwhile course to do. I gained many qualifications that helped me to get a job that I’ve always wanted. Thank-you Groundwork.”

Irene and Val from St. Mary’s, Oldham benefitted from a Groundwork Prince’s Trust Community Project at their local church. “It has made our church grounds look absolutely lovely, they are a very happy and friendly team. It is now very lovely to sit in the church garden when it is sunny.”

Steven, aged 29 from High Crompton, Shaw volunteered with Groundwork before returning to University. “Groundwork gave me an excellent opportunity to keep busy, learn new skills and make some great friends.”


Back in 2010 we developed the Melrose Playspace (thanks to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and M&S) and since then we’ve been seeking to provide training and activities for people in the area. Now up and running are...

1. Ready for 13 action packed weeks? At Spotland & Falinge Community Centre we’re running the Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team programme for unemployed young people aged 16 to 25. The 13-week personal development course includes a number of exciting challenges to enable Team members to increase skills, qualifications and self confidence.

2. Want to grow your own? Every Tuesday morning sees the Lower Falinge Gardening Club

L o c a l E m p l o y e r s To G e t P a i d To Ta k e O n S t a f f

Please contact John Davies for more details; [email protected] or call 0161 624 1444.

meet for weekly sessions on their community allotment. Groundwork is helping the group to develop and providing support where needed as part of the Marks & Spencer @myurbangreen campaign, which aims to get communities involved with their environment.

3. Want to improve your skills and your area? We have a new Youth Volunteering Course for young people starting on 14th May 2012. This is a 6-week course where participants work towards a recognised qualification whilst making improvements to the local area. Groundwork is also involved in providing a range of fun activities for young people on Friday evenings as part of the national Young People Friendly Neighbourhoods (YPFN) initiative.

F o c u s o n F a l i n g e

The Governments new Youth Contract launched on Monday 2nd April 2012. It’s a £1billion package of support to get young people aged 18 to 24 earning or learning again - before the long term damage is done. There are a number of different elements of the Youth Contract including work experience, wage incentives, sector-based work academies and apprenticeship wage incentives. Groundwork will be delivering the wage incentive part of the Youth

Contract locally and we’re keen to establish partnerships with employers to help young people into work. Wage incentives of up to £2,275 per new employee may be available to companies who take on young people in full time employment lasting at least 26 weeks. The wage incentive will be available if you employ someone for 16 hours or more each week. There will be a part-time rate of £1,137.50 for work between 16 and 29 hours and a full time rate of £2,275 for 30

hours or more. This will be paid 26 weeks after the employee starts work. Small businesses (less than 50 employees) can also claim a part payment 8 weeks after the employee starts work. Rob Glenn, Work & Employability Manager at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, added: “If the company you work for is interested in employing an 18 to 24 year old with support from a wage incentive payment then you should get in touch with us.”

Please contact Lisa Brown for more details; [email protected] or call 0161 653 0847.


N e w s i n B r i e fS i g n U p a s a G ro u n d w o r k Vo l u n t e e rIf you or someone you know wants to have a go at volunteering then Groundwork can help. We’ve made our online sign-up form as easy as possible and we’ll contact you soon after you’ve submitted the form. We have a number of different short and long term opportunities available throughout the year and many have training and qualifications included. For more details and to sign-up visit - http://bit.ly/HNLqCz

N e w G r a d u a t e P l a c e m e n t s S t a r t i n g S o o nWe’ve got a new graduate volunteer team starting on Monday 28th May 2012. Our exciting Volunteer Project Assistant (VPA) programme sees volunteers manage a range of Groundwork projects whilst working towards nationally recognised qualifications. Keep up to date with developments on the VPA blog - http://bit.ly/puZ2Dm

G ro u n d w o r k O R B l o gWe’ll soon be launching our very own Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale blog to provide insightful comment, useful information and free resources. You will be able to read expert analysis from our directors and professionals working across our field of operations as well as finding out more about the staff and volunteers who work at Groundwork. What you would like to see in our blog? if you have any suggestions contact Cliff Ellison; [email protected] or call 0161 624 1444.

P r i n c e ’s Tr u s t Te a m s i n 2 0 1 22012 is a landmark year for our Prince’s Trust Team programme. June will see that start of our 100th team in Rochdale and we’re closing in on 3,000 people who have benefitted from this programme. We’ve got new teams running throughout the year and our next ones are due to start in Oldham (14/05/12), Rochdale (21/05/12), Oldham (11/06/12) and Middleton (25/06/12). To find out more and sign-up visit - http://bit.ly/xS4xRE

G re e n L i g h t f o r N e w G re e n Te a m sWe’re pleased to announce that more young people in the area will be able to benefit from learning new skills on one of our Green Teams. A funding extension to both our Green Teams and Neighbourhood Environmental Action Teams (NEAT) has been given by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). Both schemes help unemployed young people back into work while improving public spaces across Rochdale.

A Prince’s Trust Team member

learns the ropes on residential.

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale helps people and organisations make changes in order to create better neighbourhoods, to build skills and job prospects, and to live and work in a greener way. We’re a registered charity with over 25 years of experience working with partners to deliver successful projects in the Oldham and Rochdale area.

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, Environment Centre, Shaw Road, Higginshaw, Oldham OL1 4AW

Charity number: 514726Company number: 01762088

Cliff EllisonExecutive [email protected]

Teresa JenningsOperations Director [email protected]

David MalsomCommercial Business Manager [email protected]

Phil TreatonLand & Design Manager [email protected]

Rob GlennWork & Employability Manager [email protected]

John DaviesYouth & Communities Manager [email protected]

On The Ground | Spring 2012

This newsletter was produced in-house at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale. Thank you to all contributors.

C o n t a c t U sGive us a call - 0161 624 1444

Visit our website - www.gwor.org.uk

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Follow us on Twitter - GroundworkOR

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On The Ground Spring 2012

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