At Firethorn, we’re committed to creating spaces where people and communities thrive. In 2022, we provided a grant of more than £310,000 to the charity Groundwork UK to help us deliver this mission. Today, we’re proud to see the ongoing impact and future legacy of this important partnership.
In close collaboration with Groundwork, our long-term partnership has established a charitable programme of activity in the areas in which Firethorn builds, designed to help tackle some of the biggest issues facing local communities today – from food security to unemployment.
Our funding has enabled local Groundwork teams to run seven community-led initiatives – in Peterborough, Leighton Buzzard, Ellesmere Port, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Barnsley, Northampton and London – and deliver tangible social impact for schools, families, individuals and community groups across the UK.
Today, we’re celebrating the success of just two of these projects, as we reflect on the positive social and environmental benefit delivered through the Groundwork partnership so far:
Go Wild! Exploring the Great Outdoors…
In Peterborough, over 1,070 children from 610 families took part in Groundwork’s ‘Wellies in the Woods’ or ‘Wild Play’ sessions, a two-year project which delivered outdoor natural play to families who would benefit from encouragement to use and enjoy the great outdoors.
The Groundwork team ran 6 ‘Wellies in the Woods’ and 44 ‘Wild Play’ sessions, and trained 13 professionals to deliver their own courses. A survey of 171 families who attended the ‘Wild Play’ sessions revealed that 88% of parents are now more confident to engage in their local green space, and will undertake more outdoor activities with their children.
Creating a Buzz: Food and Community in Bloom…
In Leighton Buzzard, the Groundwork team and a crew of dedicated volunteers created a thriving community food-growing garden at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground. Since its creation, over 350 volunteer hours have been recorded, helping to donate 93.21kg of produce to the community fridge and provide an incredible 1166 meals to those in need. Over the course of the project, the team ran 51 weeks of gardening sessions for the local community and 26 activity days.
Eleanor Musgrove, associate development manager at Firethorn, is our Groundwork Lead for Peterborough and Leighton Buzzard. She says:
“I had the opportunity to volunteer at both community programmes, and it’s fantastic to see the impact of these important projects. The team in Peterborough have created a wonderful environment in which to highlight the value of nature to children and adults alike, and encourage ongoing engagement with outdoor play and learning. I’m also blown away by the achievements of the Leighton Buzzard community garden. The Groundwork team have built such positive foundations that will continue to make a difference to those most in need.”
And our work continues! In London, Firethorn is sponsoring 5 Groundwork ‘Green Team’ trainees across the capital, with the aim to help unemployed people enter careers in the green economy. Run in partnership with Westminster City Council, the Green Team programme helps to improve community green spaces, and provides trainees with the guidance, support and practical work experience they need to find long-term employment.
Meanwhile, 590 primary school pupils in Ellesmere Port have been supported with Forest School and Gardening Club activity. The Groundwork team are continuing to deliver weekly horticulture sessions at a local primary school, helping to increase pupils’ skills and understanding, and build the school’s capacity to deliver independent outdoor learning.
Robert Kempster, senior associate development manager at Firethorn, and our Groundwork Lead for London and Ellesmere Port, recently attended a volunteering session with the London ‘Green Team’ trainees. He says:
“It was hugely rewarding to join Groundwork’s Green Team in Westminster and get stuck in ourselves! We joined forces to volunteer with trainees and Groundwork staff, with the opportunity to see the community and environmental impact of the project on the ground, and meet individuals who are directly benefitting from the programme. I look forward to seeing the continued success of the project, which will hopefully open doors to new career opportunities for those involved.”
To find out more about our partnership with Groundwork UK, visit our Community page.
