Green Gym
!STOP PRESS!
Green Gym Celebrates 10 Years
In its 10 years since the Sonning Common pilot was created near Reading, the Green Gym has:
- Involved approximately 10,000 volunteers in improving over 2500 green spaces (as well as their own health and fitness!)
- Established 95 Green Gyms across the UK - 20 now run entirely by the volunteers themselves.
- Spread to schools to provide a new way to tackle inactivity in children.
To mark the occasion BTCV invited a host of professionals, supporters, staff and hard-working volunteers to a special celebration lunch and reception at the Cafe Royal in London on 11 March 2008.
Findings of Green Gym national evaluation announced: download summary (PDF - 219KB)
Why not download some of the Films and PowerPoint slides from the 10-year celebration
Around 150 people gathered to toast the success of the concept of ‘working out’ in the open air to benefit individuals’ health and the communities’ environments.
The Chairman of Natural England Sir Martin Doughty and the Chief Executive of Mind Paul Farmer, were among the speakers at the event, which celebrated the achievements of the scheme to date and launched the vision for development over the next 10 years.
Video clips from the groups themselves were interspersed with speeches from experts supporting the Green Gym, which received a Charity Award for innovation in 2005.
Why not join us in celebrating 10 years of Green Gym by getting active with your local Green Gym or conservation group? Click the 'Join A Green Gym' link
About the BTCV Green Gym
The BTCV Green Gym ® is a scheme that inspires you to improve your health and the environment at the same time. It offers you the opportunity to 'work out' in the open air through local, practical environmental or gardening work.
Physically active people are up to 50% less likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke, but over 70% of us are not active enough to benefit.
We know that we should try to be fitter and healthier, and we are also increasingly aware of how important our local environment is.
Going to gyms and sports centres doesn't appeal to everyone. The BTCV Green Gym is a great alternative. It helps people of all ages to be physically active by providing:
- A regular programme of outdoor sessions of Green Gym activities
- Training and development of new skills
- Partnerships with local health services
Increasing physical activity and being outside in green space also has proven benefits for mental health, helping to reduce stress and overcome depression.
