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The Newham Green Gym is one of over 50 across the UK. Like the others, it offers volunteers the chance to carry out worthwhile practical conservation work while enjoying the health benefits of tailored exercise programmes and 'working out' in the open air. Unlike many of the others, it is working in a run-down inner-city area, and developed when the Primary Care Trust covering the London Borough of Newham saw the results of Green Gym and approached BTCV to establish one in their area. The project is now engaging people who lead an inactive lifestyle, including those who experience isolation and mental and physical health problems. The Green Gym links practical conservation activities with essential warm-up and cool-down exercises to prevent muscle strain. The sessions combine the benefits from outdoor conservation tasks with upper and lower limb exercises and follow key health and safety criteria. Practical activities include digging, preparing the ground, planting native trees and shrubs, laying paths, creating a bog garden. Members have carried out this practical conservation work in a nature reserve and tree nursery site at a local park, but they have now added a remarkable core project. They are now working to transform a derelict and neglected garden at the Independent Newham Users Forum (INUF). INUF is an independent mental health survivor-led and run organisation. It enables those with mental health problems to be involved in the planning, development, monitoring and evaluation of the mental health services they receive in Newham and East London. The hidden garden, which is close to a busy main road and the Stratford shopping centre in Newham, is a precious green space in a largely urban environment. It has become a focus of conservation activity and provides numerous benefits for the local community. The Director of INUF has been delighted: 'For the last two years it had been a grim, derelict place that no-one wanted to sit in or look at. Now the garden at Ithaca House is becoming a wonderful safe haven of peace and enjoyment for all our members and visitors to the building.' The Green Gym in Newham has opened up conservation volunteering to a new audience. Local health practitioners now recommend Green Gym sessions to their patients because of their proven ability in improving fitness, relieving stress and increasing feelings of well-being. All content copyright © 1986-2008 BTCV Ltd. Registered charity No. 261009 |
