Isle of Wight Green Gym

The Isle of Wight Green Gym is an independent community group.  With almost ten years of weekly sessions; working to help improve the Island's countryside through practical conservation work.  At the same time aiming to improve the health of the participants through involvement in the sessions.  

The concept originated in Oxford in 1997 by a GP who wanted an alternative to prescribing traditional exercise and was launched in 2003 and run for the first 18 months on the Isle of Wight by The Footprint Trust.  When the funding came to an end in 2005 the group became independant and has been run ever since by the group's committee of volunteers.  
Green Gyms have now an established and proven approach to creating healthier communities and a better environment.  

The Island group is one of around 100 Green Gyms nationally, see TCV's (formerly the BTCV) website for more information.

Over 400 people of all ages and abilities have taken part since the group started.  They operate each Wednesday throughout the year at venues right across the Island.  

If you would like to contribute to the group, please ....  Click here.

Very occasionally it is necessary to change the venue at the last minute, so please check the programme below before the Wednesday to check!

Booking is essential at all venues, this is both for reasons of health and safety and planning tasks and is especially important if we are working in schools. For instance it ensures we bring enough tools and, perhaps most importantly, enough cups for the tea and coffee break!

How to contact 

If you are interested in volunteering - call Alison Hounslow on 07528 376399 for more information beforehand please. Or email info.iwgreengym@gmail.com 

Or
Are you interested in involving the IW Green Gym in your project? If you are running a project, are the clerk to a parish council or are involved with a church, charity or another public body like a school and think you might like our help then our email address for this type of enquiry is iwgreengym@gmail.com or telephone 07866 360230. Email Mark Russell with details on how you think we may help the project you are involved with, or with ideas for a future activity. It is always worthwhile making contact, preferably before your funding is applied for, if appropriate, so as to incorporate our small charge and any advice we can give.

So how are we funded? Over the past 8 years we have relied upon help from many quarters to survive but primarily from donations. If you or your company would like to contribute or are looking to donate to an Island conservation organisation, whether that be financially or by giving old tools, please get in touch with us. Email iwgreengym@gmail.comor phone us on 07866 360230.

For more information of past sessions take a look at the blog site.

Most sites are near public transport. For details of Southern Vectis services, see www.islandbuses.info