Since June 2013 Bromley Green Gym has been working to transform underutilised College Green & Slip into a wildlife garden. The potential of this space is enormous and funding has been secured from the Pocket Parks programme to create new wildlife habitats; build features for growing edible plants; provide areas to relax; and create educational spaces. We need your help to train Bromley Green Gym volunteers to carry out this practical work, and empower them to manage the park for years to come!

Bromley Green Gym gathers volunteers from a range of ages, cultures, backgrounds and abilities to work together on a common goal - improving their local environment! Volunteers also improve their health, wellbeing and gain transferable skills. Over this next phase, from April 2014 to March 2015, volunteers will be recruited, trained and supported to manage the space independently. The resulting self-sustaining group will provide long-term benefits for the community and local conservation.

What we'll deliver:

• Train 4 volunteers to become confident Green Gym Leaders
• Train the volunteers in conservation and gardening skills
• Develop a committee with complete with constitution
• Give the committee the resources and skills needed to become self-sustaining i.e. fundraising, planning and networking
• Provide capacity for up to 25 volunteers to join weekly Bromley Green Gym practical sessions

Why it's a great idea:

College Green & Slip is located just minutes away from Bromley Town Centre. By recruiting local volunteers to help transform this underused park into a vibrant wildlife garden for the community, we’ll be creating a hands-on learning experience, encouraging a feeling of community and a closeness to nature in this most urban of environments

Bromley Green Gym is an inclusive environment where people feel valued. It will tackle health inequalities through innovative partnerships with health services in Bromley.

By facilitating the development of a community group with the necessary resources and training to independently manage and improve their local pocket park we are helping to create a resilient community that is knowledgeable about their environment and able to make local decisions.

There is a wealth of possibilities for community involvement, education and wildlife conservation in the park, we need your help to give Bromley Green Gym the best start!

Steps to get it done:

• Deliver weekly Green Gyms sessions with a range of tasks to improve participant’s health and skills
• Promote Bromley Green Gym developing new health and community support partners who will refer new volunteers
• Facilitate the committee to run an annual open event to encourage involvement by the local community
• Facilitate the group to form a committee, and provide training and support on forming a community Green Gym
• Provide access to TCV’s Community Group Network and give ongoing support from TCV staff
• Provide Green Gym Leaders with First Aid, Green Gym, Project Leadership, Risk Assessment and Safeguarding training

The project is supported by and has received match funding from intu Bromley, London Borough of Bromley and the Mayor’s Pocket Parks programme.

We will be working with referral partners such as Bromley Mencap and the Bromley NHS Early Intervention Team to recruit volunteers who will most benefit.

Bromley Green Gym aims to emulate the success of Penge Green Gym who became independent from TCV in April 2013:
“Volunteering has helped me tremendously, it has been a life changing experience. I was totally freaked out beforehand ... Now I love being connected to the community and food growing.” Penge Green Gym Leader

"All the Penge Green Gymers have been working really hard over the past two years to get Winsford Gardens back into shape and make it an open air resource for the community… As we become an independent community group, we're excited about planning new projects and making an even better place for locals to come and enjoy." Penge Green Gym Chair