People in Bath and North East Somerset are being given the chance to improve their fitness and help their local community at the same time.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has teamed up with GoodGym to offer weekly group runs involving a physical task that benefits the community.
Runs, led by a qualified coach, will set off from Bath Sport and Leisure Centre every Tuesday at 6.30pm.
Some runners will set off to help community organisations across the city and others will visit isolated older people as part of their weekly workouts as part of a befriending scheme.
According to national figures, between 29% and 46% of people over 60 feel lonely often or some of the time, while only a third of the population is doing at least one session of moderate intensity physical activity per week.
GoodGym has developed a unique approach to tackling these issues.
Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North) Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “This is a truly innovative project and I’m proud that Bath is one of the first cities in the country to introduce GoodGym runs.
“What better way to get fit than combining physical exercise with voluntary community work? The efforts of GoodGym runners can really transform lives and communities.”
GoodGym will launch on Tuesday 27th October, with the first run from Bath Sport and Leisure Centre at 6.30pm.
Supported by the Council’s try active programme, the weekly runs are free and open to all abilities.
The programme is also being supported by GLL the Council’s new leisure provider.
The project also helps deliver the Council’s Connecting Communities programme which seeks to harness local skills, talent and energy to help address local priorities.
To find out more about how you can get involved – either as a runner or as a local organisation seeking to benefit from the initiative – contact [email protected] / 07543001658
You can also find out more at www.goodgym.org or follow updates from www.twitter.com/goodgymbath.
