Groundwork
Oldham & Rochdale

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale was established in 1983 as one of the first Groundwork Trusts as a partnership between the local authorities and the Countryside Commission. Our aim was to enhance and manage the urban fringe areas by creating a partnership of the public and voluntary sectors.

The Trust soon grew to encompass environmental improvement projects across our area of operations, from the Pennine Way to inner-city sites. We also became involved with education and training, personal development programmes, and business support schemes.

The Trust today runs a wide range of programmes including landscapes and conservation work, business support, education and community activity, Youth Works, the Prince’s Trust Team programme, employment programmes, training involving basic skills and construction, and our unique v challenge programme for unemployed graduates.

We are based in the Groundwork Environment Centre, a Victorian listed building in the heart of Oldham, with separate offices in Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood. We are run by a Board of Directors and have a staff team of around one hundred, plus up to one hundred trainees at any one time.

We are a recognised part of the main Local Strategic Partnership influencing regeneration programmes in the boroughs of Oldham and Rochdale.

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale is part of a federation of around 50 Groundwork Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each Groundwork Trust is a registered charity and our board reflects the partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Groundwork’s purpose is to build sustainable communities in areas of need through joint environmental action. We deliver programmes of work that address three strategic priorities:

For people: creating opportunities for people to learn new skills and become more active citizens

For places: creating cleaner, safer and greener neighbourhoods

For prosperity: helping businesses and individuals fulfill their potential

Groundwork has a unique role to play building on its experience of partnership working and innovation, linking strategic policy with local action - at its best generating real change and creating a new sense of purpose in local people.