Groundwork Leeds

Youth and Employment

Realising young people's potential - training for work and stimulating enterprise

Groundwork involves young people in a range of activities designed to bring them into contact with other people in their community and to increase their confidence and self-esteem.

Groundwork also helps people who are unemployed to develop their skills and experience by working on regeneration projects in their own neighbourhoods.

Motiv8

The project builds self esteem amongst young people, who are restricted by their circumstances and are often disillusioned with regular class room working.  The project offers an alternative learning package through social and practical skills. The initiative completed in July 2004 involved local schools from south Leeds. The young people learnt about healthy life styles, drug awareness and first aid. Drama and musical instruments workshops helped them develop their creative abilities. Educational trips to the Earth Centre and the Royal Armouries Museum provided exciting opportunities to learn about history and the natural environment.

Dig It

The scheme offers three core elements for 16-17 year olds; Basic Skills, Personal & Social Development (PSD) and Vocational Training (horticulture, landscaping, construction). Learners are referred via Igen Future Pathways, part of the Entry to Employment (e2e) project. The project is based in the Training Room in the Groundwork office in Morley where learners work towards literacy and numeracy qualifications, combined with on-site practical training.

GAP - Groundwork ASDAN Project

GAP is a work-based learning programme designed for learners aged 14-16. They attend one day a week from school to develop their vocational skills in horticulture and gardening. During their time with us learners have the opportunity to compile a portfolio of environmental projects that help them to learn new skills.

North Leeds Gardening Scheme ILM (Intermediate Labour Market)

The scheme provides garden maintenance to elderly persons in two North Leeds areas (Gipton and Roundhay) who are unable to maintain a garden for themselves. A supervisor leads a team of trainees who carry out the work.

Several trainees that have delivered the garden scheme have progressed to further education and employment. One trainee secured employment as and Assistant Grounds person at a golf course, whilst studying for an NVQ in horticulture at a local college.

Quote from scheme user:

"I can't praise them enough; Sean (Project Supervisor) and the boys are polite, obliging, helpful and efficient. All I have to do is ask them to do a job and it is done. He went on to expaining that he has lived in his home since it was built. He and his late wife had developed the garden over many years and it was wonderful to have someone come and look after it who knows what to do to help keep it looking its best - he just wished they could come more often!"

Groundwork Leeds
Environment and Business Centre
Merlyn-Rees Avenue
Leeds LS27 9SL

T : 0113 238 0601
F : 0113 252 5057