Groundwork Leicester

Our History

Before becoming a Groundwork trust in 2006, Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire had a long history dating back to the 1980s with its origins in the City Wildlife Project (CWP), founded by David Nicholls, now chief executive of Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire.

In the early 1980's, the Leicester Urban Studies Centre (then part of DeMontfort University) was gathering information about the built environment and the architectural heritage of Leicester and using this information to produce educational material for schools and the public.

In 1982 they secured funding to expand their work to look at the natural environment of the City. Three young ecologists were appointed: David Nicholls, Phil Lomax and Vicki Seager. The work that followed involved ecological surveys to identify the extent and importance of the City's natural habitats together with an educational and promotional programme to raise awareness of this natural resource.

Plans were made to establish Watermead Ecological Park, a living outdoor classroom designed to help schools in particular learn about nature in the City. This aspect of the Urban Studies Centre's work was called the City Wildlife Project.

For more information about the City Wildlife Project click here.

During the mid 1980s, other environmental issues such as recycling and energy efficiency became prominent and CWP decided to broaden its work into these fields. It was decided to pursue this work through a new body called Leicester Ecology Trust (LET) which was to be managed by CWP as a sister organisation.

The LET was established in 1987 and set up the Leicester Recycling Centre, a kerbside recycling collection scheme and the, now internationally renowned environmental showhome, EcoHouse.

For more information about the Leicester Ecology Trust, click here.

Gradually Leicester became recognised as a pioneer of urban environmental good practice and attracted many visits from other cities and organisations. In response to this interest, the Environment City concept was developed by LET Director, David Nicholls, and Leicester subsequently became Britain's first Environment City.

In 1990/1 the Leicester Environment City Trust was set up as an independent charity to promote the Environment City message.

In 1993 it was felt that LECT and LET would be better merging and operating as a single integrated organisation and Environ was adopted as the new name for the merged organisation. It grew to become one of the leading environmental charities in Europe. Environ developed numerous environmental initiatives, including: the EcoHouse, Solar Clubs, the Bike Park, Green Account recycling, Turning the Tide, the Ark Environment Centre, Rotters - home composting club, etc. Click here to see our projects.

Environ was a unique and independent organisation, not replicated elsewhere. In other areas of Britain however, the type of work undertaken by Environ was often delivered by a Groundwork Trust. Groundwork is a federation of around 50 trusts, supported by a national body, Groundwork UK, based in Birmingham.

Discussions between Environ and Groundwork concluded that it would be mutually beneficial for Environ to join the Groundwork Federation.

In 2006 Environ changed its name to become Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and also broadened its remit to more actively engage youth and communities in its work, using environmental activity as a vehicle to help bring social and economic benefits.

Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire remains an independent charity, but by being a member of the national Groundwork Federation it benefits from being part of, and contributing to, a network of similar organisations across the country.

Groundwork Leicester
& Leicestershire
Parkfield, Western Park
Leicester, LE3 6HX

T 0116 222 0222
F 0116 255 2343
E info@gwll.org.uk