HOME ABOUT GROUNDWORK LATEST UPDATES RESOURCES APPLY FOR A GRANT CYMRAEG SEARCH PROJECTS PARTNER WITH US JOIN IN GROUNDWORK NEAR ME Our History Groundwork was established in 1981 as a radical experiment to bring together communities, businesses and government in a joint effort to improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development in places that had become run-down and neglected. HOME About Us Our History In this section Our history Our strategy Our impact Federation structure and governance Research and reports Careers Across Groundwork Groundwork Stories Our policy positions Contact us The principle of creating dynamic partnerships for action is still at the heart of our approach. ‘Join the FROGs’ was the rallying cry when Groundwork first began changing places and lives in St Helens on the edge of Merseyside in 1982. ‘Friends of Operation Groundwork’ (the FROGs) were a vital part of the model for a new organisation testing out a new way of tackling some new – and some very old – problems. Those friends came from the local community but also included local businesses, schools and all the organisations and agencies that had an interest in improving the physical and social fabric of areas hit by multiple challenges. The driving force behind Groundwork was the late John Davidson, an inspirational environmental thinker working at the time for the Countryside Commission. John died in 2012, but his vision of Groundwork – start local, put the right tools in people’s hands, engage with everyone who has a stake in a place and address as many issues as possible with the same investment – holds true. It’s the way we do things that matters most – achieving results through people. This means working with our partners in a way which empowers them and helps them achieve their objectives John Handley, Groundwork Executive Director, February 1982 In many ways some things still look a lot like 1982 as we find ourselves again facing economic challenge, unemployment and social unrest. We also have new challenges as climate change and resource scarcity begin to impact – affecting those who already have least the most. Now, as then, we are taking practical steps and building partnerships to change places and change lives. Twitter Facebook Linkedin Youtube Select your region Cheshire and Merseyside East Midlands East of England Greater Manchester Lancashire and Cumbria London North East North Wales Northern Ireland Scotland South East of England South Wales South West of England West Midlands Yorkshire and the Humber UK Office GO PROJECTS PARTNER WITH US JOIN IN GROUNDWORK NEAR ME Careers Resources Apply for a grant Terms and conditions of use Privacy Accessibility Sitemap The Federation of Groundwork Trusts. Suite B2, The Walker Building, 58 Oxford Street, Birmingham, B5 5NR Tel: 0121 236 8565. Email info@groundwork.org.uk Copyright © 2021 Groundwork. All Rights Reserved. Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 291558) Company reg 1900511