1. Rachel Hoyes Senior Green Gym & Education Project Officer And Tackling Health Inequalities

2. http://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym Established by The Conservation Volunteers in 1997 with Dr Bird, GP Programmes of physical activity to improve health and local environment Participants referred by health services or self-referral > 100 Schemes in UK and 6 in Australia. Origins Reclaiming green places since 1959

3. http://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym Warm up exercises to reduce the risk of injuries. Relaxed atmosphere, everyone works at their own pace and is free to rest whenever they need. Plenty of time for a social tea break. Green Gym Day Reclaiming green places since 1959 Learning new skills and trying different jobs and tools is encouraged. Cool Down by stretching exercises at the end of the session. Activity will be described and tasks explained.

4. Versus Reclaiming green places since 1959

5. © The Conservation Volunteers 2015 Green Gym Training ‘NORMAL’ GYM Calisthenics (vigorous effort) = 518 calories Bicycling (moderate) = 453 calories Swimming (moderate) = 389 calories Exercise (general) = 356 calories Yoga = = 162 calories Note: statistics taken from http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/calories.htm GREEN GYM Sawing Logs/Carpentry = 486 calories Hedge-laying/Fencing = 389 calories Shovelling (moderate) = 389 calories Wheel-barrowing (moderate) = 324 calories General Gardening = 259 calories

6. http://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym Reclaiming green places since 1959 Social interaction & Inclusion Tackling health Inequalities Mental Health Skills and Employment A Better Environment Stronger Communities Physical Activity

7. Reclaiming green places since 1959

8. Lewisham Green Gym http://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym Reclaiming green places since 1959 - Started in partnership with the Lewisham Youth Offending Service (YOS) and TCV. - Working directly with young people with Court Orders or Conditional Caution orders who are referred by Lewisham YOS. - Practical food growing sessions are designed to stimulate and support effective participation and learning by young people, and ultimately to prevent and reduce re-offending. - Participants are encouraged to learn new skills while being active. - Every Saturday, 10am-12pm at Firhill Allotments in Bellingham.

9. What was interesting and what did you learn? “I learned how potatoes grow and that they grow underground.” “Today was good I learned how certain things grow. I worked hard, staff was very supportive and helpful.” “I enjoyed everything because I learned the name of different types of vegetables.” “I found it interesting because I didn't think that you needed so many tools to grow plants and create compost.” “It was interesting learning a few new things about food growing.” Reclaiming green places since 1959 Feedback In 2014, the young people grow 161.39kg of produce, which is equivalent to 2,017 meals which was donated to a local family centre.

10. Referral partners Early intervention for Psychosis Crest NHS The Limes Social Action for Health Richmond Fellowship The Limes Community Centre Asian Centre Turning Point Black Peoples Mental Health Association Reclaiming green places since 1959 Lloyd Park Green Gym -Lloyd Park Green Gym is run in partnership with Waltham Forest Council. - High attendance from referrals via the below agencies. - Participants report feeling healthier, getting fitter and gaining in confidence.

11. Stephen was Unemployed and Homeless when he joined the Green Gym. Since volunteering he commented “The Green Gym has opened my eyes about the environment and I have changed things in my diet and feel I am more active and am starting to get healthier.” Stephen is now living in the YMCA and doing 6hrs paid work in a local school. Reclaiming green places since 1959 Warm up Case studies Katrina before joining the Green Gym was quite depressed and inactive. “Since joining the Green Gym I have been more active, had a better routine and feel more positive. I’m more active and social, and feel more positive about the future.”

12. “It’s a reason to leave the house and it lifts the depression. You are achieving something and you meet new people” Charlotte, Green Gym volunteer http://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym

13. “ Before Green Gym I was going through a bad patch, coming out of depression so I was referred to The Green Gym by Social Workers. Working in Conservational environment has made me feel mentally much better. My Life is back to normal now. I now do more Gardening Jobs in my neighbourhood besides continuing to work at the Green Gym.” Walter, Volunteer, London in Bloom and Regional Green Hero Award Winner “My Confidence has increased since joining the Green Gym. It has helped me to get physically and mentally active. It has also kept me motivated whilst actively seeking work that does not require using a computer. It has also encouraged me to take up short courses such as First Aid and read up on Conservation which will help me when I eventually find employment. ” Graham, Volunteer Officer http://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym Reclaiming green places since 1959

14. © The Conservation Volunteers 2015 Green Gym Training Green Gym Testimonials Wellbeing Comes Naturally, Mind 2011 Haringey Green Gyms, PHT 2014

15. A national evaluation of the Green Gym by Oxford Brookes University showed the programme success including: 100% of participants agree that the Green Gym benefited their mental health, boosting self-esteem and confidence Working out in green spaces is a great way to relieve stress and depression Taking part in the Green Gym improves muscle strength Participants report feeling fitter and having more energy Almost a third more calories are burnt in an hour of Green Gym activities than in doing a gym class Taster sessions have also shown that after 4 sessions participants have reported: 100% increase in physical activity 40% improvement in wellbeing Oxford Brookes University 2003-2007 Evaluation Findings Reclaiming green places since 1959