Do good, get fit with GoodGym Portsmouth - Group runner

We are looking for volunteers to come and help us complete physical tasks at different local community projects across Portsmouth. We run (or walk, or cycle!) every Wednesday evening to local projects to help out. Instead of lifting weights in the gym, we lift boxes or compost in the community! Some examples of tasks we have helped with are sorting donations at the foodbank; gardening at local schools; sanding walls at Hilsea Lido; digging an allotment plot.

Alongside our regular Wednesday “Group Runs”, GoodGym volunteers also have the opportunity to meet up at “Community Missions” – these are tasks based in the community where a volunteer will meet up at the task location. More information can be found at www.goodgym.org/portsmouth

FAQs

I'm not a runner, can I still join GoodGym? 

Yes, absolutely. We want you to get involved whether you want to run, walk or cycle with us.

We offer 3 types of activity - Group Runs, Community Missions and Social Missions (please see separate role descriptor for Social Missions). You can decide whether you want to run, walk or cycle. Group runs are the only activity in which you are unable to cycle and some of the longer runs would be unsuitable for walkers.

If you wish to run on our group runs we recommend that you are able to run for 15 mins (at any pace) without stopping. 

If you're still worried, or if you have any questions, you can get in touch and we’ll support you to get to the stage where you're confident enough to join in with the main group.

Do I have to pay? 

No, you don’t have to pay, but if you decide to become a member you can opt to make a donation if you like. We recommend a monthly donation but we certainly don’t want anyone not to join because they can’t afford it; asking our runners to cover their costs helps us keep the project alive.

Do I need any special gear?

Not at all, all you need is a pair of trainers. You don’t need to splash out on loads of specialist gear, but if you’re planning on running regularly it is worth getting a pair of running shoes as this will protect your feet much better than a pair of all-round trainers.

We recommend you don’t wear your snazziest gear. We almost always do some kind of physical work that is more distressing for your gear than normal running. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. Each mission is listed with a task description – if it seems appropriate then bringing gardening or building gloves is often a good idea, but not essential.

You will need an email address to create an online account. 

About the organisation 

We're a group of local residents who run, walk, or cycle to help out community projects and older people in Portsmouth.

From hanging curtains for Mr H because he can't manage it on his own, to shovelling a tonne of compost for the Food Growers Group so they can grow vegetables - every GoodGym session is different.

**Please check your Junk email folder in case any emails end up here, we will be touch with you within a few days by email. Friendly reminder that the charities/organisations emails may end up here too. **

Skills

You need to be able to undertake physical tasks although some can be adapted to make them less physical.