The Conservation Volunteers’ Green Gym in Milton Keynes has become an independent community group from 1st January 2014. This is thanks to ongoing support from TCV and additional funding from People’s Health Trust, using money raised by HealthStrong through The Health Lottery.
The Green Gym was previously run by TCV, in partnership with the people of Milton Keynes, with the help of an additional £45,262 grant from People’s Health Trust. Together, they built on the successes achieved in 2012 and 2013 and were able to provide people with exciting opportunities – fostering social links and ties, improving emotional and physical wellbeing, reclaiming green places, and having fun. Now the people of Milton Keynes have received enough support to have the confidence to run the Green Gym independently. TCV will continue to support the Green Gym if needed.
Green Gym sessions will continue to take place every Thursday from 9.30am to 1pm on beautiful sites in and around Milton Keynes. Participants will be able to undertake a variety of activities, such as cutting back willow, clearing brambles and learning about the traditional skills of coppicing and hedgelaying.
Dave, a regular with the Green Gym, says: “Green Gyms are a marvellous way to have a lot of fun, with some lovely people, while making a difference to the environment in which they live.”
Chris Lunn, Director of HealthStrong, says: “It’s great that money raised by HealthStrong is being used to support local projects like this.”
More than 1500 volunteers have participated in Green Gyms throughout the country, 77% of who felt more positive about themselves and a staggering 98% of who felt that they had made a positive impact on spaces in their community.
