A SOCIAL enterprise dedicated to changing lives and changing places across the region has celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Groundwork North-East and Cumbria unveiled a year of achievements at its annual meeting on Wednesday (September 23).

Groundwork was established in 1985 and delivers life-enhancing projects including community space improvement programmes, training and work placement schemes, and initiatives to help improve residents’ wellbeing, health, confidence and self-esteem.

Milestones and achievements during 2014/15 have included:

• Delivering 400 projects across the region working with some of the most disadvantages communities and individuals;

• Helping 530 people into work;

• Improving and maintaining 452 hectares of land;

• Planting 10,000 trees;

• Involving 41,977 participants in life and community-enhancing schemes;

• Diverting 1,457 tonnes of waste from landfill;

• Providing training for 1,271 individuals;

• Supporting 477 community groups;

• Organising health-focused sessions that engaged with 2,663 people.

Chief executive Kate Culverhouse said: “This is a very special year for Groundwork as it celebrates three decades of changing places and changing lives across the North East.

“Our annual meeting gives us the opportunity to share our vision that with the right support, allied with working in partnership with like-minded organisations, including the private sector, communities across the region have the potential to be vibrant, sustainable and prosperous.”