A new scheme which aims to boost fitness, fight loneliness and support community projects is being funded by Trafford Council.
GoodGym is being launched at St Matthew’s Community Hall in Stretford on Wednesday, August 21 at 6.30pm.
Trafford Mayor Cllr Rob Chilton, along with members of Trafford Council’s Executive, will be attending the launch, which will see runners go on a group run or walk, before returning to St Matthew’s Community Hall to replant areas of the community hall garden.
This initiative, which will also help address social isolation in the over 60s, begins with a Group Run suitable for all abilities. The Group Run will take place on Wednesdays from St Matthews Community Hall. The runs will set off at 6.30pm and will include breaks to carry out activities like planting trees, painting community venues and helping out at community events.
As the focus will be on involving as many people as possible, there will be walking options for people who are new to running. Each Group run will be led by GoodGym trainer and Trafford resident Kate Frain.
As well as supporting community projects, runners can also volunteer to be paired up with an older person in the area to develop a new friendship. Runners can also volunteer to take part in Mission Runs. These are larger tasks and could include supporting people to be discharged from hospital by using GoodGym volunteers to deliver one off tasks such as moving furniture in someone’s home to help with their mobility.
Cllr Jane Slater, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Inequalities, said:
GoodGym is a win win situation for all those involved – the runners, the community and for older people who are feeling lonely. I am pleased Trafford Council has decided to fund this initiative, which has a proven track record when it comes to fighting loneliness which blights the lives of so many older people in our community.”
Anyone interested in joining GoodGym and getting involved should visit the GoodGym website
Posted on Tuesday 20th August 2019