A HOUSING developer has revealed that its charity partnership with Groundwork UK has helped children across Ellesmere Port access green spaces.

Firethorn has marked the anniversary of its partnership, which saw a grant of more than £310,000 issued to the community action charity Groundwork in 2022, by celebrating the work done across its sites during the last year.

The project has engaged with more than 500 school children and 450 families, provided 293 meals and recorded 168 volunteer hours across the country, as part of regionally-led initiatives in Leighton Buzzard, Peterborough, Ellesmere Port, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Barnsley, Northampton and London.

In Ellesmere Port, 520 school pupils have been supported with Forest School & Gardening Club activities.

Elsewhere, a food garden in Leighton Buzzard saw 293 meals provided and 168 volunteer hours recorded.A new community hub garden was created in Delapré Abbey, Northampton with 39 weekly food sessions and 22 dedicated volunteers. And 'Wild Play' programmes were utilised by 450 families in Peterborough.

Sessions on the environment, green skills, employment and visits to schools reached 295 people in Sherburn-in-Elmet and 214 in Barnsley. One London ‘Green Team’ employment project also began earlier this year, providing roles for those who struggle to find work, with two trainees recruited so far.

Peter Mather, Partner at Firethorn Trust, said: "From supporting education projects to tackling the challenges of food poverty, we’re incredibly proud of the programme and what we’ve achieved so far. The partnership has allowed us to take a brand-new approach to delivering real, tangible ESG impact - working in close collaboration with community leaders to provide support where it’s needed most. Community benefit is placed at the heart of every Firethorn development and this important project is bringing that commitment to life."

Graham Duxbury, Chief Executive at Groundwork UK, said: "We’re delighted to work in partnership with Firethorn, and it’s been fantastic to see our teams deliver such significant impact via the programme - from young people in urban areas being better connected with nature, volunteers improving outdoor spaces for food growing and young people and unemployed adults gaining experience and qualifications to bolster their future prospects.

"There’s more work to do and I’ve no doubt that our partnership will continue to deliver lasting change in communities across the country that are too often overlooked."

Firethorn’s ESG strategy is informed and guided by two leading industry standards - the One Planet Living Framework and the values of the UK Green Building Council.

More information can be found at: www.firethorntrust.com/.