Changing places, changing lives - one green step at a time

BEE Anglia advisors Rex Kellett and Jamie Murphy, who conduct energy audits to help small and medium sized businesses save energy and reduce costs (Image: Groundwork)

The charity has already won a regional SME Award, in Bedforshire.

The charity was launched in Hertfordshire in 1985 and has spread across the East of England, with the Suffolk centre getting on board three years ago.

Groundwork has been recognised for its work to change places and the lives of people within local communities, in East Anglia.

The charity’s work centres on engaging local people with their environment as a way of improving their own prospects and helping to enhance their local green spaces.

A spokesman said: “Projects offer support to those who want to live healthier lifestyles, get active, gain new skills and reduce the impact on the local environment.

“These range from growing courses, to outdoor play, to monitoring local eco systems and rivers.”

In Suffolk of a lot of work focuses around helping businesses to reduce their impace on the environment and become more resilient.

Busineses and local community buildings can access (often free) advice on how to reduce the amount of energy/and or energy loss and reduce their bills.

Another area is community engagement and waste reduction. Groundwork has been working with Ipswich Borough Council to help residents reduce waste and increase recycling.

Groundwork also provides training and creates jobs through a variety of community projects.

At Saxmundham, for example, there is a wellbeing project at the Fromus Centre. It promotes gardening and crafts as a way of boosting physical and mental wellbeing.

Steve Harvey, Groundwork’s executive director in the East of England said: “We are thrilled to be recognised nationally for the work we’re doing to change places and lives across the East of England.”

It’s mantra is: changing places, changng lives - one green step at a time.

Grondwork.org.uk/east