BTCV’s proposed Penge Green Gym project will benefit some of the most disadvantaged people in South London, by enabling them to look after local green spaces in some of the poorest areas, acting together for social and environmental benefits. The Penge Green Gym will solve 3 problems: 1. Address health inequalities by recruiting hard-to-reach participants from deprived areas. 2. Build a stronger community links. 3. Develop skills, knowledge, confidence and experience to improve well-being.

BTCV has worked with the National Health Service to develop the Green Gym model to maximise physical and mental health benefits (confirmed by independent evaluation) of conservation volunteering. Volunteer clients with physical and/or mental health issues will be recruited to take part in conservation, gardening, and food growing to transform a Penge park. This will bring multiple health and fitness benefits, as volunteers are trained and supervised (including warm up / cool down exercises)