Green Gym

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Posted April 24th, 2008 by paul.ede

Could we set up a Green Gym to help build capacity for caring for the local Hamiltonhill Allotment?

Here's the blurb:

BTCV and Oxfordshire GP Dr William Bird established the first Green Gym in 1997. There is now a growing network of over 65 Green Gym projects throughout the UK. Green Gym groups can be set up in partnership with BTCV, or under licence.

The aim is for groups to become self-sustaining, so they are run by trained volunteers from the local community.

All Green Gym projects must comply with standards developed by BTCV with the first Green Gym groups. Every Green Gym is set up to meet the following criteria:

Run a programme of practical conservation or gardening sessions that are less than 4 hours in duration, and held at least once a week throughout the year
Receive endorsement from local health services, for example a local health centre, or local mental health service
Follow health and safety procedures, including the use of a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and warm-up and cool-down exercises at the beginning and end of each session
Encourage individuals to continue their involvement with the activities
Aim to become self-sustaining

In partnership with BTCV

BTCV staff work directly with many different organisations to deliver Green Gym projects. These partnership organisations include health centres, Primary Care Trusts, local authorities or other conservation organisations. Find out more

Under Licence

Due to increasing demand for BTCV Green Gym activities across the country, BTCV has created a process by which other organisations can run Green Gym projects under licence with training and support. Find out more

Community Groups

The aim of Green Gym groups whether set up in partnership with BTCV or under licence is that they become Community Groups run by local volunteers with the appropriate training. Find out more

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This already happens just up

On April 24th, 2008 Esther (not verified) says:

This already happens just up the road! (well a version of it anyway)..... North Glasgow Community Food Initiative (http://www.ngcfi.org.uk/) in partnership with NHS 'keepwell' (http://www.keepwellscotland.com/index.aspx ) have project where people in the area can be 'referred' by their GP for gardening on the allotments we visited last weekend - see blurb under Glasgow activities:

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Food, Weight and Physical Activity

There are a range of services including Milton Food Project (Waist Winners), Glasgow Weight Management Service, Outdoor Gardening Gym, and Eat Up (Hearty Eating).
0141 201 4956
Practice and Self Referral
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It runs every Friday at the allotments. The keep well project is aimed at people 45-64 in deprived areas, but you could get involved via NGCFI even if don't fit this age group :-). Claire from NGCFI said they'd not had many people getting involved so far though, but I think its quite a recent set up.

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The Chestnut Fund - grants for conservation

On April 24th, 2008 paul.ede says:

The Chestnut Fund - grants for conservation

The Chestnut Fund is an independent charity, making grants available to encourage and enable community groups to carry out conservation activities. The grants are administered by BTCV. Groups must be part of the BTCV Community Network to qualify.

The grants fall into two categories:

Start-up grants

These are for groups who have no money when they are first set up and are available to groups in their first year of existence. The grant will enable them to begin practical work and will cover administrative expenses, e.g. postage, publicity, hire of meeting rooms, telephone bills and/or the first year of BTCV Community Network Membership plus Insurance fees. The maximum grant will be £120.

Support grants

These are for groups who have no money for tools, equipment and training. Preference will be given to resources selected from BTCV sources. This grant is available to all BTCV Community Network groups, regardless of how long they have been members. (Groups within their first year of membership can apply for both the start-up grant and the support grant). The maximum grant will be £350. Forms can be obtained from your local BTCV office or the Community Network Administrator on 01302 388834. Please note that in order to apply, the group must return the form to the local BTCV office for approval before it can be processed by the Community Unit.

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