RELEASE DATE 8 May 2008
TITLE LOCAL CHARITY STRENGTHENS ITS BOARD
 

Groundwork Greater Nottingham, a local charity based in Radford, which helps to improve the quality of life for local people in areas of disadvantage, is pleased to announce the appointment of Janet Wootton to its Board of Directors. Janet, a strategic communications and visual arts consultant, is also a former broadcasting regulator.

Groundwork Greater Nottingham’s vision “is of a society made up of sustainable communities, which are vibrant, healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper”. Since its inception in 1991 Groundwork Greater Nottingham has worked with many partners and communities to deliver innovative projects which have made significant contribution to improving people’s lives and the landscape of the Greater Nottingham area. During 2007/2008 Groundwork Greater Nottingham delivered over 12,000 hours of ‘Community Benefit’ through local projects across a range of themes including children and young people, safer, stronger communities, healthier communities, and economic development and enterprise.

Janet, who is also an emda Business Champion, joins the Trust as it embarks upon refreshing its vision for serving the people of greater Nottingham. Janet said:
"The impact and reputation of Groundwork Greater Nottingham's activities on the lives of local people is appealing. Their work is life-changing. "

After a career in journalism, PR and broadcasting, Janet became a strategic communications consultant and works with government departments and regional businesses. She is currently Chair of the Royal Television Society (RTS) in the Midlands. In 2007 she gained a BA (Hons) Fine Art degree from Nottingham University and now combines the practical skills of an artist with her business background.

Groundwork Greater Nottingham is chaired by Valerie Dwyer, who is passionate about enterprise, the environment and helping people achieve their potential. Valerie said:-
“We are delighted that Janet has joined the Board at this exciting time as we refresh our vision. She will make a valuable contribution to our future direction”.

The board of directors comprises local councillors, business people and individuals dedicated to improving the whole of the Greater Nottingham area. Its Executive Director is Zbig Szulc.

Groundwork Greater Nottingham is currently working on a number of regeneration, education, youth, community and business projects including St Anns Allotments, a major partnership project including the Renewal Trust, Nottingham City Council and STAA to design and implement a major capital infrastructure improvement programme on St Ann's allotment. FIG – the Delivery and co-ordination of food hygiene courses, provision of small grants to assist groups improve the health of the community through improved diet and research into food access issues in a defined area of the city. Spring, a dedicated environmental consultancy providing accredited resources, support and programmes to small businesses, schools and other voluntary sector organisations. Future Footprints – working with young people and volunteers to raise awareness of climate change.


 
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Further information Contact Jo Kerry on 0115 9788212
 
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background Information enclosed
Please note that all our projects involve people and communities and many have to be seen to be believed. They each have very different real life stories of transformation, they are very photogenic, and in order to continually improve our communities, we will be delighted to share more of these with you, including fielding interviews and making visits available to you

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

GGN has been established for 14 years

In a typical year we Groundwork Greater Nottingham works with communities to:-
· Develop and deliver at least 100 new projects
· Deliver over 4000 person days of youth activity
· Engage with over 200 local businesses
· Work in partnership with at least 80 schools
· Deliver 40 locally significant environmental improvement schemes
· Deliver 2 regionally significant conferences a year

We are currently working on 55 live projects

Nationally, Groundwork is one of the UK’s leading social and environmental partnership organisation’s, working with people, local authorities and businesses to promote economic and social regeneration by improving the local environment. Through it’s network of around 50 Independent Trust’s around the UK, from Tyneside to South Wales, Northern Ireland to Hackney, Groundwork uses the environment to improve their quality of life. Groundwork is an independent charity, which involves 60,000 adult volunteers and over 120,000 school children each year in local environmental projects. From small community schemes to major regional and national programmes, Groundwork’s local Trust’s work in partnership with local people, local authorities and businesses to promote sustainable developments in their local area.

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Groundwork Greater Nottingham
Denman Street East
Notingham
NG7 3GX

T: 0115 9788212
F: 0115 9787496
E: gn@groundwork.org.uk