Broadcaster and presenter Marian Foster has officially opened a fundraising project, spearheaded by social enterprise Groundwork NE & Cumbria, which helps people improve their employment prospects.
The gwk woodshed is based at Groundwork’s horticultural nursery, located on Whickham Highway, near Gateshead. It works on two levels. It sells affordable, good quality, garden furniture made from recycled wood and upcycled furniture, including bespoke products, to raise money to fund Groundwork community projects across the region.
It also provides vital skills training for volunteers and apprentices to help them secure long-term employment in the future.
Groundwork, which is dedicated to transforming people’s lives and the communities in which they live, held a ‘Seeing is Believing’ event, to mark the gwk woodshed’s official opening to which stakeholders, corporate partners and local dignitaries were invited.
Marian Foster said: “The Woodshed really captures the ethos of Groundwork that is all about making the best use of resources for the good of the community.
“The enthusiasm of the volunteers, those on work placements, and the trainers is infectious and their commitment to producing beautifully crafted recycled wooden furniture is second-to-none.
“This environmentally-friendly project is a great way of raising funds for Groundwork, which does so much to transform communities and lives across the region.”
Groundwork NE & Cumbria Chief Executive Kate Culverhouse, said: “Groundwork is passionate about spearheading initiatives that are of assistance to the local people and their communities in a variety of ways.
“The gwk woodshed protects the environment by recycling wood, provides important skills and experience that can help people secure employment, and also generates money to fund other Groundwork projects.”
Groundwork NE & Cumbria is dedicated to improving the lives of people through environmental improvement programmes, training and work placement schemes, and practical initiatives to tackle climate change and help businesses improve their green credentials.
The gwk nursery, where the Woodshed is based, provides horticultural training, offers courses and activities in health and wellbeing and specialises in growing trees using locally collected seed, which are then sold across the UK for use in woodland schemes, hedging, landscaping, schools, plantations, highways and many other projects.
It also is open to the public, who can buy its plants and trees as well as products from the gwk woodshed.