Member Article

Groundwork Unveils Corporate Partnerships Framework

Groundwork NE & Cumbria has unveiled a corporate partnerships framework in the wake of recruiting an expert with more 20 years in the community and voluntary sectors to help develop the organisation.

Michele Armstrong, who took up the new post of Partnerships Manager, is responsible for raising the profile of Groundwork, creating new forms of income generation, and developing new partnerships with the private sector and organisations with which Groundwork has not traditionally engaged.

Following her appointment, Groundwork has drawn up a Corporate Partnerships framework, which was launched at a business networking event at one of its horticultural nursery.

Groundwork is a social enterprise that is dedicated to transforming people’s lives and the communities in which they live.

It covers the whole of North East and Cumbria and has bases in Bishop Auckland; Sedgefield; Cockermouth; Darlington; Easington Village; Gateshead; Annfield Plain; Lobley Hill, Gateshead; Middlesbrough; Morpeth; Stockton, Sunderland, and Ulverston; and employment offices in Bishop Auckland; Carlisle; Darlington; Durham; Newton Aycliffe; Redcar and Workington.

Keynote speaker was Mark Dowdall, the Environment and Community Director with the Banks Group, which recently has teamed up with Groundwork as one of its business partners. Mr Dowdall talked about the benefits that businesses can gain from becoming involved in community-focused initiatives.

Groundwork Chief Executive Kate Culverhouse said: “This framework highlights how we are keen to work with innovative like-minded corporate partners who share our vision that with the right support all communities across the region have the potential to be vibrant, sustainable and prosperous.

“We have a holistic approach that allows partners to become involved in projects that reflect their priorities and passions.

“We offer a range of partnership opportunities including practical employee engagement activities and bespoke skills-based volunteering programmes that can enhance companies’ staff personal development strategies.”

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is dedicated to improving the lives of people through environmental improvement programmes, training and work placement schemes, and practical initiatives to tackle climate change and help businesses improve their green credentials.

Its Gateshead Nursery, where the launch was held, provides horticultural training for local people, offers courses and activities in health and wellbeing and specialises in growing trees using locally collected seed, which are then then sold across the UK for use in woodland schemes, hedging, landscaping, schools, plantations, highways and many other projects.

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