GoodGym
This project's parent organization is GoodGym
It operates in United Kingdom
It uses Athletics
Shortlisted for the Sport For Social Inclusion Award
More about GoodGym
GoodGym arose out of a frustration with normal gyms being a waste of energy and human potential. There are many neglected tasks and people in our communities that need that energy. We want to bring these things together.
Something we’ve been working on is loneliness and isolation amongst older people: over 1 million people aged 65 and over admit to always or often feeling lonely, and 17% of those living alone see family and friends less than once a week.
As one person describes it: "With aging you lose a lot of friends. It’s really sad, and it does affect your quality of life. Loneliness is difficult to cope with." - Joan Boulter, 87
GoodGym makes a contribution to improving quality of life for older people whilst being an easy and fun introduction to running.
Research by UK volunteering organisation TimeBank has shown the difficulty of recruiting volunteers. GoodGym is a new model of voluntary action; it fits into our lives and so it’s easier for us to commit for the longer term.
In gyms across the country people work away furiously; peddling, pushing, lifting, running and achieving no external benefits. GoodGym aims to harness this energy for social good.