Making a Difference with Groundwork North East and Cumbria
Newcastle University Business School is proud to celebrate its fundraising and charitable work with charity of the year Groundwork.
8 July 2026
After more than six months of partnership, Newcastle University Business School is reflecting on the work and initiatives undertaken since announcing Groundwork North East and Cumbria as its charity of the year.
Groundwork North East and Cumbria is an environmental and community charity that is dedicated to protecting the environment and supporting communities across the region.
Through various environmental and community focused projects and programmes across the North East, the charity aims to support communities to achieve their full potential. These values are deeply embedded into their mission of promoting sustainability, social inclusion and community resilience.
This strongly aligns with the values of Newcastle University Business School and its commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, making this a natural partnership.
Making a difference
To date Newcastle University Business School has held three fundraising events including a Christmas quiz, bake sale and a yoga class. Together these fundraising initiatives have raised a total of £249.61 for the charity. All money raised is helping to support Groundwork North East and Cumbria’s work in both the local community and environment.
MBA students at the Business School are currently working with the charity on a collaborative project alongside Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd, Northumbrian Water Limited, hedgehog lab and TechnipFMC Umbilicals Ltd.
The project sees the students participate in a Daily Dash as part of the Northumbria Water Innovation Festival 2026. This is a fast-paced workshop taking place over a day and is designed to deliver tangible results quickly. Titled ‘ESG REMIX – Rethink, Remix, Refresh’, students are aiming to explore how corporates and communities can collaborate to deliver meaningful, credible, and investable ESG outcomes.
Speaking on the project and the partnership with Groundwork North East, lead academic Jo Clark said: "Valuing sustainability is at the heart of our teaching at Newcastle University Business School and in particular on the MBA programme. Our shared values with the Business School’s charity of the year partner, Groundwork North East and Cumbria, has underpinned a robust learning partnership lasting several years.
“With this year’s MBA students researching the benefits of working with Groundwork to enhance corporate social value outcomes. Our students and Groundwork have both benefitted from these experiential learning activities.”
In addition to the work done with Groundwork since the partnership started, the Business School will also be hosting a Northern Futures event in August alongside other initiatives due to launch later in the year.
Throughout the partnership, the Business School will support those involved in Groundwork’s back-to-work schemes via CV clinics, mock interviews and industry insights.
Volunteer day – Roxanna’s experience
On Monday 30 March, Roxana Radulescu, Lecturer at Newcastle University Business School, took part in a tree planting volunteer day with the charity where she volunteered at Pegswood Community Park.
Speaking about her experience Roxana said: “I joined a volunteer day at Pegswood Community Park, near Morpeth, where we planted a variety of shrubs all morning, plus I planted an oak tree near the reservoir, of which I’m very proud.
“Although I was the only volunteer from the Business School on the day, it was a very welcoming and enjoyable experience. What also stood out was our Community Project Officer, Kate Phillips, whose knowledge of local trees, plants and the natural environment was quite remarkable.
“The morning was well organised, enjoyable, and even included some excellent cake. I am still in touch with Kate as there are regular volunteering opportunities throughout summer."