On 6th June 2013 The Conservation Volunteers are celebrating the launch of the Oasis Garden Green Gym, an exciting new initiative offering free green exercise sessions to develop a wildlife friendly food growing garden in an area of London lacking in green outdoor space.
The Conservation Volunteers have developed the Green Gym®, to combat this neglect, an initiative that inspires people to improve both the environment and their health at the same time. Whilst taking part in practical activity to reclaim their local green spaces, participants can burn a third more calories in an hour of Green Gym activity than in a step aerobics class!
Oasis Garden Green Gym is being developed at the Oasis Sports Centre in Holborn by The Conservation Volunteers in partnership with charitable social enterprise GLL, operator of Better leisure centres and London Borough of Camden. The support and funding from GLL and London Borough of Camden made it possible to transform an outdoor space at the Oasis Sports Centre that was unused and wasted into a vibrant garden packed with flowers and vegetables.
Since January 2013, 53 committed volunteers have contributed over 1000 hours building an attractive raised bed garden to grow food and flowers, incorporating extra seating areas to sit and relax. The dedicated volunteers worked through one of the harshest winters to get the raised beds and seating area established in time for spring planting.
To celebrate this success Oasis Garden Green Gym volunteers will be joined by local councillors, supporters and referral partners at the Oasis sports centre on Thursday 6th June from 6pm until 8pm for an official opening of the new garden.
If you want to get involved with Oasis Garden Green Gym, the group will henceforth be holding free horticulture sessions in the Oasis Garden every Saturday from 10am to 1pm or contact GG-oasis@tcv.org.uk or visit dev.tcv.org.uk/oasis