Groundwork West Midlands

🌍 World Soil Day is tomorrow — an important moment to highlight the role healthy soil plays in creating resilient, sustainable communities. At Groundwork West Midlands, soil health underpins much of our environmental and community work. From restoring underused green spaces to supporting community growing projects and improving local biodiversity, our impact truly begins at ground level. Healthy soil contributes to: • Stronger, greener communities through thriving growing spaces and improved wellbeing • Better water management, helping reduce surface flooding and improving local resilience • Richer biodiversity, supporting habitats for plants, insects, and wildlife • Climate action, with soil acting as a significant carbon store As we continue working with partners, volunteers, and local groups across the region, we recognise soil as a vital resource that supports healthier places and long-term environmental change. 🤎 This World Soil Day, we’re celebrating the ground that sustains us — and the collaborative efforts that protect it. #WorldSoilDay #GroundworkWestMidlands #SoilHealth #Sustainability #ClimateAction #GreenInfrastructure #CommunityImpact

A couple of Sundays ago, Creative Kindness joined us at The People’s Patch to run some fantastic arts and crafts sessions, helping us brighten up our space and the polytunnel alongside our usual gardening activities. As part of the 10,000 Stars for Coventry project, they brought along beautiful decorations for us to hang in the polytunnel. We also upcycled tin cans into wind chimes and transformed old CDs into colourful ladybird suncatchers. Craft activities like these do more than add colour — they bring people together, encourage creativity, support wellbeing, and help us make sustainable choices by reusing materials in imaginative ways. These new creations have added a wonderful burst of life to The People’s Patch and helped make the polytunnel look extra special as we prepare for our Christmas Market!

On this Giving Tuesday, we’re urging business leaders to consider how they can best support staff welfare and the hidden toll of fuel poverty this winter.    Cold homes and rising costs translate directly into staff stress, reduced attendance, and performance issues - a risk that demands strategic, evidence -based intervention.    Groundwork's Green Doctor service can help. We deliver support that directly addresses financial vulnerability and health risks amongst your staff.    We want you to take advantage of a FREE webinar designed to help those who need it most within your organisation. This session will help your employees tackle the rising cost of fuel bills, enabling them to stay warmer, healthier, and enjoy more energy-efficient homes.    Sign up for our FREE webinar on 27 January 2026 by registering at getinvolved@groundwork.org.uk     #CureForCold #FuelPoverty #CostOfLiving #Groundwork #Partnerships #GivingTuesday 

🌳 National Tree Week: Caring for Our Woodlands 🌳 This National Tree Week, we’re highlighting the important work we do at Groundwork West Midlands to maintain healthy, thriving woodlands through coppicing. Coppicing—a traditional method of cutting trees near the base to encourage new growth—helps us: Support biodiversity: Different growth stages create habitats for birds, insects, and mammals 🐦🦋 Maintain healthy woodlands: Sunlight reaches the forest floor, allowing wildflowers and ground vegetation to flourish 🌼 Harvest sustainable wood: Providing materials for crafts, fencing, and fuel without harming the woodland 🌳 By managing our trees this way, we ensure that our country parks remain sustainable, vibrant spaces for wildlife and visitors alike. #NationalTreeWeek #GroundworkWM #Coppicing #WoodlandManagement #Biodiversity #Sustainability #Trees

We're #hiring a new Community Project Officer in Tipton, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

🌡️ Today is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day — a crucial reminder of the challenges many households across the UK face in keeping their homes warm, safe, and healthy. At Groundwork, our Green Doctor service provides vital support to people experiencing fuel poverty by offering practical, personalised advice in the home, over the phone, or through community workshops. 👩⚕️🏠 Our Green Doctors work in partnership with housing associations and local authorities nationwide, ensuring their services reach those most in need. Their support includes: • Tackling heat loss and improving home energy efficiency • Finding more affordable energy providers • Supporting residents to access schemes that help manage energy debt But their work goes beyond energy. Green Doctors are trained to identify issues such as damp, mould, health conditions, and loneliness, connecting residents with appropriate support services. They also advise on water efficiency and retrofitting homes with low-carbon technologies, helping to reduce both energy bills and carbon footprints. On Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, we recognise the importance of services like Green Doctor and the difference they make to thousands of households every year. 💚 No one should have to choose between heating and eating. If you or someone you know could benefit from a Green Doctor home visit, we'd love to help. 📩 Get in touch: wmgreendoctor@groundwork.org.uk

🌿 Supporting Newcastle Hedgehog Rescue with Aura Brand Solutions 🦔 Last week, we were delighted to support Aura Brand Solutions during their CSR day at Newcastle Hedgehog Rescue. The team put in a tremendous effort, completing a range of practical tasks including: ✔️ Stoning the pathway to help reduce future flooding ✔️ Laying wood chippings in the hedgehog runs ✔️ Clearing excess wood and concrete posts ✔️ Turning over the compost to keep the site healthy and thriving CSR days like this are incredibly valuable — they not only help local organisations continue their vital work, but also give employees the chance to connect, develop new skills, and make a real difference in their community. If your business would like to enquire or book a CSR day with Groundwork West Midlands, please contact us at: WMPartnerships@groundwork.org.uk Aura Brand Solutions #GroundworkWM #CSRDay #CommunityImpact #AuraBrandSolutions #NewcastleHedgehogRescue #Environment #TeamWork #CorporateResponsibility #WildlifeSupport

🌟 Volunteer Panel Members Needed – West Midlands 🌟 We’re seeking committed volunteers who care about their local communities and want to help shape how funding is allocated to grassroots groups across the West Midlands. No formal qualifications are required — just an understanding of local needs and approximately 5 hours to review funding applications and participate in a panel meeting. This is a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful community development and support organisations making a real difference in the region. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email michelle.brodie@groundwork.org.uk to find out more. #VolunteerOpportunity #WestMidlands #CommunityFunding #SocialImpact #GroundworkUK #CommunityDevelopment

We're #hiring a new Community Project Officer in Tipton, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

🧶 Sunday 23rd November | 1:30–3:30pm We're excited to host an inclusive, family-friendly arts and crafts session with Creative Kindness! Join us for an engaging afternoon where you can explore a variety of creative activities, alongside a relaxed gardening session. Arts and crafts are more than just a fun pastime—they play an important role in boosting wellbeing, building confidence, sparking imagination, and strengthening community connections. Hands-on creative sessions can reduce stress, improve focus, and provide a sense of achievement for people of all ages. They’re also a wonderful way for families to spend meaningful time together and develop new skills in a supportive environment. ✨ Refreshments provided 👨👩👧 Please note: All children must be supervised by a responsible adult. We’d love for you to join us for a mindful, creative, and community-centred Sunday afternoon!