Nature has the power to bring people together and that’s exactly what happens when our colleague volunteers’ team up with our partners at Groundwork, to restore outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy. The result? Cleaner, greener and more connected communities.
Groundwork is a federation of independent charities working with communities across the UK to create lasting social and environmental change. By supporting people that face multiple challenges in overlooked and under-resourced areas, Groundwork aims to reduce inequality and empower communities to improve their health and wellbeing as well as the local and global environment.
Through The Big Difference, our local community programme, we’ve partnered with Groundwork since 2023, to make a positive difference across the communities where we live and work. This has enabled us to make a positive impact across 20 communities to date!
Last year, we saw our colleagues lend a hand to transform a range of green spaces across 19 communities, including 14 public green spaces throughout the UK. From bracken bashing and clearing overgrowth to building shelters and litter picking, our volunteers rolled up their sleeves and helped tackle community projects that have improved green access and conservation, whilst boosting biodiversity.
£150,000 donated to our partnership with Groundwork to deliver greater impact during 2024
Joe McIndoe, Groundwork UK Partnerships Manager said '"Thank you to all the colleagues at Centrica who got involved to improve outdoor spaces. Corporate volunteering enables Groundwork to improve local spaces, benefitting both the environment and the lives of local people”
Some examples of the positive difference made by our partnership with Groundwork include Godfrey Robins House in Hull, a home for adults with complex and multiple disabilities, where we helped to improve the condition and accessibility of the overgrown gardens - the transformation of green space has positively impacted the wellbeing of its residents and will be an enjoyable space for many years to come. We also built a shelter at Grozone’s Community Garden in Stockport, enabling local people to volunteer and garden all year round no matter the weather. The centre serves as a hub for connection, encouraging exercise in the form of gardening for those that may be feeling isolated or don’t have access to resources. One community member talked about how they’ve benefitted from going to Grozone for the past 14 years - once house bound with agoraphobia, they now have the confidence to work for a local charity and coach a youth football team.
A member of our local community said “Thanks to the volunteers from Centrica, we have a yurt and shelter so that I can keep coming here over winter, which is really important for my mental health.”
Our partnership with Groundwork is invaluable to the local communities we serve and has meant that they can expand their support to even more vulnerable people facing hardship, helping them to achieve better outcomes. This year, we’ll continue to support Groundwork’s ambition to create better places and connect people with nature, whilst helping communities with limited resources to do more.
Explore more about how we’re creating a Big Difference in communities across the UK
Read more about Groundwork and the work they’re doing
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