Getting to know... Groundwork North Wales

And maybe you are familiar with one or two of the projects they are involved in.

But they are helping transform lives across the region in a whole host of different ways.

We hear from the charity to explain...

Here at Groundwork North Wales we are passionate about the social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of Wales.

We align our work to the Welsh Government well- being Framework; our projects make a positive impact on the social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of Wales. As a charity we work towards transforming lives in disadvantaged communities through a varied and diverse range of projects across North Wales which have these themes as the thread that runs through.

We do this by supporting people to get back into work and gain skills and qualifications. We build stronger communities by improving green spaces and conserving the natural environment. We bring out the best in young people by helping them improve their local area and we reduce fuel and furniture poverty, in turn tackling climate change through people using less energy and reusing and recycling more.

Our social wellbeing projects support individuals to live healthier and happier lives now and for the future. Our social wellbeing projects aim to encourage positive life choices for the individual and community.

Above: Volunteers in Flint on the We Care Project (left) and volunteers from ScottishPower (right).

One such project is our Next Steps project funded through BBC Children in Need. Next Steps is encouraging young people under 18 to grow and develop new skills and confidence. The project promotes positive emotional health, confidence-building, and self-belief, through strong mentor engagement. Encouraging participants to focus on improving their health and wellbeing and be more responsible in their attitudes and lives. This allows young people to grow and experience positive change in the future.

The aim behind our economic wellbeing projects are to enable individuals and families to meet their very basic needs such as housing, food and fuel. Our projects support the economic wellbeing of individuals, groups and families who are particularly vulnerable, helping them to make better, more informed choices, grow in confidence, and to improve their skills and prospects of employment.

We are achieving this through projects such as Toyota Thrive. Toyota Thrive is transforming the lives of young people in Flintshire. Delivered in partnership with Toyota Manufacturing UK and Flintshire County Council, the project creates new opportunities for young people (aged 16-24) to join an employability project including training qualifications and bespoke support.

Being aware of the impact of our interaction with nature and respectful of our surroundings is key to the role of our environmental wellbeing projects. The environmental wellbeing project help reconnect people to green spaces to improve their overall wellbeing, as well as taking action to protect the natural environment and fight climate change.

Local communities are changing their green spaces in Caernarfon, Gwynedd with two projects designed to bring people together to transform their communal green spaces, helping to re-connect people with nature and understand the importance of biodiversity. The Stepping Stones project is funded by the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme and engages with people living on the Peblig Estate to improve the environmental value of open spaces on the housing estate. Our Pollinators for Maesincla project supported through the Peoples Postcode Lottery and involves planting a variety of native wildflowers and Welsh fruit trees on unused grassed areas to make these spaces rich in biodiversity. Both projects provide valuable volunteering and learning opportunities involving the whole community.

Cultural wellbeing lies at the heart of a healthy society and keeps communities vibrant and viable. Our projects give the opportunity to express our Welsh culture and heritage through participation in recreational, creative and cultural activities that improve everyone's social, physical and mental health and well-being. There are social benefits that heritage brings through the sense of identity and belonging that it gives to communities.

Above: a group of visitors in the Engine House at Minera Lead Mines summer 2019.

In 2018 we reopened the Minera Lead Mines Visitors centre with the Visit Minera project which has now led to the formation of the Clywedog Valley Partnership

The need to work in collaboration with partners in the Clywedog Valley became apparent during the project and led to the formation of the Clywedog Valley Partnership. The Partnership aims to bring together all the organisations and groups involved in the valley with the aim of supporting and sustaining facilities and activities.

Groundwork North Wales support other charities that have values that align with their own. Refurbs help household on low incomes to furnish their homes and provides training and volunteering opportunities. They have two household outlets a large warehouse in Flint and a high street store in Wrexham.

Refurbs operate on four objectives: to provide affordable furniture, to provide work placement, training and volunteering opportunities, to make people aware of the benefits of reusing and recycling, to reduce pollution and protect the environment, and promoting sustainable waste management practice

Wild Ground is a conservation and biodiversity charity with sites owned and managed throughout North Wales. The primary focus is the protection of amphibians and reptiles specifically the legally protected great crested newt. Managing a variety of sites to additionally benefit wider biodiversity and key species of conservation concern.

Cycling 4 All is a charity providing unique cycling opportunities for everyone. Pedal Power is the cycling service offering fun, therapy and achievement for all abilities.

The service is based at Alyn Waters Country Park in Wrexham. They have a fleet of standard and specialist bikes including trikes, hand-cycles, wheelchair bikes and side-by-side bikes. There is also a traffic-free cycle track around the park where our customers can enjoy the benefits of cycling in a safe and secure environment.

It is essential for everyone to take time to ensure their overall wellbeing. There are many pressures these days, it is important for individuals to take time to focus on their social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing this which is what we are passionate about. Our projects are just some of the opportunities out there to assist with this.

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