GoodGym is all about getting active whilst doing good deeds in the community and there are plans to bring it to Harrogate in 2019.
GoodGym has already launched in York, and North Yorkshire Sport are now working closely with the founders to bring the ‘gym with a social conscience’ to Harrogate, with the potential to expand to other areas in the district.
GoodGym helps participants to combine regular exercise with volunteering or helping in the local community to make a positive difference. They organise ‘Mission Runs’ – run to help an older person with a task they find difficult (gardening etc), ‘Coach Runs’ to visit older people who are isolated, and ‘Group Runs’ to help do physical tasks for a community organisation.
Harrogate already has over 130 people signed up, with a launch and crowdfunding initiative planned for early in the new year.
An information evening is taking place at The Everyman Cinema in Harrogate on 23rd January 2019 from 7pm-8pm – you can register your interest here: https://www.northyorkshiresport.co.uk/events/2019/01/goodgym-harrogate-information-evening
Robin Lavin from North Yorkshire Sport said:
We are thrilled to be working closely with the GoodGym founders to bring this fantastic concept to Harrogate. We have seen how the opportunity to benefit the community and do some kind of regular exercise has caught on, and we think this movement really helps to motivate and inspire people. It’s a welcoming and inclusive environment open to all ages and abilities. It has really helped both runners and recipient’s mental wellbeing, and certainly helped reduce loneliness and isolation which is a major issue in North Yorkshire.
Richard Webb from North Yorkshire County Council said:
For people who want to do more regular exercise but haven’t found a way of getting started yet, this gives them another incentive, as it creates opportunities to give back to your local community. And this is about involving people of all ages and abilities, from athletes to those who are new to running, walking or cycling, and people with mental health issues and disabilities. Everyone is welcome and can take part as much or as little as they like.
Sean, a GoodGym task force member from York said:
If GoodGym can make an anti-social loner like me a regular member who equally enjoys helping out on the tasks and supporting, then they are a perfect fit for anyone.
Karen Weaver CEO of the Harrogate & Ripon Centres for Voluntary Service commented:
Here at HARCVS our role is to support both charities and volunteers and the Good Gym concept is a really exciting and innovative way of doing both. Encouraging more people to volunteer whilst getting some exercise is a such a win win result. We know that there is lots of need for help out there, it’s just a case of how to connect people up in a safe and fun way.
Founder, Jenny Godfrey commented:
I’m wanting to bring GoodGym to Harrogate because I want others to gain the same benefits and enjoyment that my daughter and son-in-law get from being active GoodGymers in London and I want the Harrogate community to benefit from the community good deeds, missions to older people and coach runs to reduce loneliness that this wonderful organisation will deliver.
