Green Gym in Kent

The first BTCV Green Gym was set up more than 10 years ago and there are now around 80 across the UK. Volunteers take part in a range of conservation activities, such as tree planting and hedgelaying, to improve their mental and physical health.

Here in Kent there are Green Gyms in Goudhurst and Ashford.

Did you know that research by Oxford Brookes University shows you could burn a third more calories in an hour doing the Green Gym than in a step aerobics class?

A Green Gym session will typically last 3 hours and involve a range of activities lead by the project officer.

All Green Gym officers are trained in leading exercise groups and ensure that participants complete a short warm-up and cool-down routine and do not over exert themselves.

The programme is flexible so you can join in for as long and as often as you want.

The task organised may be creating a wildlife garden, pond creation, fencing, hedge laying, tree planting, a healthy walk or wildlife surveying. Unlike many other environmental task days, the emphasis of the Green Gym is on improving the participants physical and mental health rather than, for example, laying 100 metres of hedge.

There are no requirements in terms of participants capabilities or age - although anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. In fact joining a Green Gym is a good opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, share experiences and make new friends. Many people have found the projects extremely beneficial to their social skills and it can help to reduce social isolation.

People attending Green Gym sessions are encouraged by the project officer to undertake BTCV training courses such as how to lead groups safely, coppicing, hedge laying, species identification and emergency first aid. Learning new skills can enhance your self esteem and provide you with the confidence to take on roles of responsibility outside of the Green Gym group.

Ashford Green Gym

The Ashford Green Gym was set up by BTCV in December 2008 and now operates as an independent community group.

The group meets every Monday morning and runs tasks from 10 am to 1 pm.

We normally all meet at Singleton Environment Centre and the work takes place either on site or on nearby green spaces.

ONGOING WORK

Gardening / scrub clearing at Godinton House

Three ponds to manage in the Ashford area

General tidying, weeding and scrub clearing at the Singleton Environment Centre

Two woods to manage ( which will involve coppicing and general tidying up)

All events are free.

For information about how to join the group please contact Peter or Sophie Walkden via e-mail to theashfordgreengym@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07513060435

Bedgebury Green Gym

In West Kent, the Bedgebury Green Gym is based at the Forestry Commission’s Bedgebury National Pinetum in Goudhurst.

The Bedgebury sessions run every Friday morning from 10.30am – 2.30pm, with volunteers getting involved in a wide variety of tasks helping to improve the world's best conifer collection. If you live in the area, why not drop by and join in?

For more information on the Bedgebury Green Gym, or BTCV's Green Gym programme contact: Tim Hills, Green Gym Programme Manager on 07740 899 692 or email t.hills@btcv.org.uk