Businesses celebrate Groundwork Association

Matthew Hudson (TNT Claim and Invoice Quiery Manager), Lynn Moore (TNT Site Employee Services Manager), Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor James Gartside and Vicki Devonport (Executive Director at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale)

On Thursday 14 March, local businesses descended on the new Rochdale Customer Services Building, Number One Riverside, for a celebration event organised by local charity, Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale.

The event celebrated the ongoing commitment of Groundwork Business Association (GBA) company members to reduce their negative impact on the environment and their wider CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts.

Speakers at the event included Vicki Devonport, Executive Director at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, and Mark Widdup, Director of Economy & Environment at Rochdale Borough Council. Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor James Gartside, presented a certificate to staff from TNT, as one of the longest standing members of the association.

Lynn Moore, Employee / Site Services Manager at TNT UK Ltd, commented: “I am happy to receive this award from Groundwork on behalf of TNT Stubbins and admire the input Groundwork has on the local community.

"TNT Stubbins has been a member of Groundwork since 1996. Groundwork assisted TNT in attaining their first Environmental Accreditation. Since then TNT Stubbins has consistently maintained a 5* Health, Safety and Environmental status and accreditation to the ISO-14001 standard.”

Carol Hopkins, Business Liaison Manager at Rochdale Borough Council said: “It was great to welcome local businesses to our new building, which only opened last week. The building houses the library and customer services, and brings together staff from different sites across the borough. The Council continues to work closely with Groundwork and local businesses, supporting them in their growth aspirations.”

Over 100 local companies are members of the Groundwork Business Association. Typically member companies benefit from help and support to reduce overheads, improve environmental performance, staff training and meeting supply chain demands.

Vicki Devonport, Executive Director at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, commented: “Our Business Services team at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale provide a range of services to businesses both large and small. We help them to improve their environmental performance and to cut their costs. We all know that being resource efficient is a profit opportunity – each pound saved on raw materials or utilities goes straight to the bottom line. Since April 2010, our Business Services team have identified over £5.2M of potential cost savings, and a potential reduction of 28,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, for businesses in Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.”

Vicki added: “There are a number of ways in which we can work in partnership with local businesses: landscaping or maintenance of your green spaces, offering placements for our volunteers or a free recruitment service. If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch.”

The GBA event is one of a number of celebrations being held during Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale’s 30th anniversary year. The charity is due to celebrate its 30th birthday in October 2013 and more events are planned throughout the year.