The Green Gym is a co-operative allotment group, enabling members to grow fruit/vegetables together.
This is a non-profit co-operative voluntary organisation, running a large allotment site. We are a very mixed group. The ethos is to get healthy exercise out in the fresh air, and to promote a working-together environment. We have members from various ethnic backgrounds, young people with learning difficulties, older and retired, and job seekers. We have a lot of fun, meeting mainly on Thursdays to work and share lunch. Anyone is welcome!
Why the community needs usThe members are the community, we get great exercise in the fresh air: good for morale and for health.
We get the satisfaction of building and improving the allotment out of the growing season.
Then we watch our produce grow from the seeds we plant to the finished food that we share and take home - a world away from the supermarket in taste, in cost, in health.
We have all ages from mums and tots, through middle aged to retired (and all abilities) looking and finding something different to do.
Our impact on the communityFor the shy it's a great way to meet others in a stress-free space.
Less confident folk have an opportunity to learn new skills.
For the isolated its a way to get out for company and activity.
Folk with special needs are happy to be given jobs that they can do at their own pace, and stay quiet or chat to other members.
Over the last few years the site has been developed from a wilderness to a very useful garden, polytunnels, raised and flat beds, ponds and fruit trees. There's much more to do.
Anyone is welcome skills are taught but anyone with any horticultural experience would be very welcome. People with health issues please come and enjoy the company and repartee.
