About Groundwork West Midlands

All Senior Management staff have shared their own motivations for working at Groundwork as part of their “Little Green Book” guide, with some motivated by the concepts of sustainability and others by social justice.

Groundwork are currently exploring the Workplace Wellbeing Charter. They undertook an all staff Stress Survey in February 2014 and after analysing the results, sharing those with their Board and discussing with staff via their monthly staff meetings, they brought in an expert to deliver a training session to all staff on managing their Work Place Stress. They pay for Healthshield Cash Plan for all employees and their dependent children. This offers cash-back against a range of Health and Wellbeing services and is promoted to all staff regularly, by an annual presentation at Communications Sessions and attending Induction presentations. In addition the Healthshield benefit includes Helplines and Counselling services for all staff.

Groundworks West Midlands hold two staff away day events for all staff including Sessional Workers.  On the 9th September 2013 they held it at Keele Hall, Staffordshire. This included presentations in the morning session from the Chair of the Board, Executive Director, Head Teacher of their school, HR Director and two project leads. After lunch, the afternoon was spent having team building fun activities ranging from building communications and listening skills by use of blindfolds to supporting each other by having to eat chocolate! In addition, staff spent an hour on a guided nature walk delivered by the Ranger across the Country Park that they manage. 21st July 2014 – The Welcome Centre, Coventry - Again, this included initial information sessions, including from the Chair of Board and the Executive Director, thanking people for their involvement in the recent awards they have won and an external presentation from a trainer on Managing Stress in the Workplace. This was followed by a riotous speed networking session. After lunch the afternoon included taster sessions on some of the projects delivered by Groundwork staff to their client groups. These included ‘The Smoothie Bike’, healthy eating choices by understanding fat content in food, practical household budgeting and an Urban Wildlife Walk with staff creating head wear from flowers and leaves! GWWM provided transport from each local offices, food and refreshments and, of course, activities for the staff away days. The second event featured more hands on project activities following positive feedback from staff about this element. Also a company funded Christmas event which was in works time and involved indoor ten-pin bowling and a meal which was centrally located and well attended by the work force. In addition a company supported Cycle ride which was in works time and included a paid for halfway lunch for all riders and supporters.