Helping people to get more active, and improve their physical & mental health. Welcome to and Newcastle’s green exercise programme

The activities offered encourage people to improve both physical and mental health through participation in practical conservation, horticultural activities, walking, cooking and outdoor gyms. They are suitable for people of all fitness levels and abilities. The programme initiative is a multi-agency partnership between Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle, Newcastle City Council, South Tyneside Council and Public Health South Tyneside. The sessions offer a wide range of activities in local green spaces and community centres. The sessions are friendly, informal and are designed to cater for all abilities and individual needs. The sessions provide the opportunity to develop a range of practical, leadership and organisational skills. All sessions includes a warm up and tool or equipment instruction guide followed by the main activity session and then a gradual cool down. We work towards a vision – Changing Places, Changing Lives to create sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy and safe and which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper. This requires developing and delivering initiatives which cut across economic, social and environmental issues. Pathway Model

Member of the Public Referred by: Self Professional Bodies Voluntary Organisations

Green Exercise Session • Programme • Activity

Employment Education • Mental Health Matters • Further Education • Job Centre Plus • Training Opportunities • Learning Links

Volunteering Other Exercise • Hall • Walking Works Wonders • South Tyneside Voluntary Service • Nordic Walking • West Boldon Lodge • Community Allotments • Newcastle CSV • Marsden Road Health Centre

Please contact our Communities Team if you would like more information about the schemes open to you. As a member: 1. You can take part in the activities for a period of time to suit your needs and to gain the physical and mental health benefits of being active in the outdoors with others.

2. You will be given the option of gaining a qualification, progressing into a Green Exercise Volunteer Leader. (Please note - this is not compulsory)

3. You will take part in Groundwork activities that can be used as a stepping stone, and may help you to move into other avenues such as employment, education and volunteering, as detailed in the diagram on page 3. (Please note - this is not compulsory.)

Physical and Mental Health Benefits Taking part in regular green exercise sessions can improve your cardiovascular fitness and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Sessions can improve muscular strength which can lead to improved balance and co- ordination.

Working out in the fresh air, in contact with nature is also a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. The range of activities offered allows everyone to exercise at a level that suits their own skills and capabilities and is a great way for people of all ages to keep healthy in body and mind.

10 free weeks

The Park site, whose environment includes ornamental beds and woodland areas, provides a great area for lots of green exercise activities ranging from formal bed management, to park management and wildlife habitat conservation. Activities delivered depend greatly on the time of year. Participants will receive 10 free sessions, after which a fee of £1.00 will apply per session. Meet at the Quarry Lane park entrance Postcode: NE34 7NP Metro: There are no metro stations nearby. Bus Services: The Nook: 1, 8, 10 and 10A . Quarry Lane is 12 and 12A.

10 free weeks

West Boldon Lodge is a unique facility that offers participants the opportunity to help with the conservation of the green space located on site. The Lodge is home to a wide variety of habitats and one of Groundwork’s main aims for this site is the conservation of the wet meadow and watercourses. Participants will receive 10 free sessions, after which a fee of £1.00 will apply per session. Meet at West Boldon Lodge Postcode: NE36 0BG Metro: East Boldon (30 min walk) Bus Services: The main bus routes are 558, X34 and X36 (Nearest stop is at ASDA Boldon) FREE

The Big Local Central Jarrow Landscape and Gardening Project concentrates on improving green spaces in central Jarrow, providing an opportunity for residents to get hands-on experience of horticulture and gardening skills whilst making new friends, learning new skills and improving local areas. Activities will include weeding, making raised beds, planting and working on different sites that will improve the local area. Meet at the Jarrow Hub (Millennium Phab Club) Garden (Location may change depending on where the activitiestake place. Contact Activity Leader before each session)

Postcode: NE32 3QN Metro: Jarrow Metro Bus Services: 10, 11, 57, 88 and 89.

10 free weeks

This session is held in the community garden of Chuter Ede Community Association in . Participants help with general maintenance and weeding within the garden, as well as contributing ideas for future projects and attractions. Participants will receive 10 free sessions, after which a fee of £1.00 will apply per session. Meet at Chuter Ede Community Association

Postcode: NE34 9UG Metro: Bus Services: 1, 4, 10, 10A, 10B, 575, S542, S556 and S825. FREE

Our Monkton site provides a great area for wildlife conservation activities and management; activities conducted include tree coppicing, litter picking and pond maintenance. Activities will be dependent on the seasons and weather conditions; for example tree felling and pond management will take place in the winter months but not through the summer due to the environmental impacts these activities have.

Meet at Monkton Community Woodland car park on Mill Lane (opposite the Cock Crow Inn)

Postcode: NE31 2EY Metro: (Nearest metro station is Fellgate, however the bus service is recommended) Bus Services: 515, 558, 927, 960, S556, S819 and S820.

10 free weeks

The River Don provides a diverse environment and habitat for many species of birds. From Curlews and Redshanks, to Chiffchaffs and Bullfinches, with Mute Swans and a few varieties of ducks along the way. Learn how to spot and identify a whole host of birds whilst also taking part in a rather enjoyable health walk. We can provide a few pairs of binoculars, but if you have your own, please bring them with you. Participants will receive 10 free sessions, after which a fee of £1.00 will apply per session. Meet at the Slake Road car park behind St Paul’s Church (just off Church Bank) Postcode: NE32 3DZ Metro: Jarrow Metro Station Bus Services: 27 10 free weeks

These sessions look at improving fitness in the outdoors for all fitness and abilities. A fully trained instructor will be present to talk through each machine and how to use it properly. The sessions will look at improving cardiovascular fitness & strengthening of the muscle. The instructor can also tailor make the session to meet your desired outcome. Participants will receive 10 free sessions, after which a fee of £2.00 will apply per session. Meet at the outdoor Gym in West Park

Postcode: NE33 4BP Metro: & Chichester. Bus Services: 2, 3, 4, 17, 18, 574, South Tyne 88 & 88A.

10 free weeks

(Specific dates) This sessions provide a place for people to come and learn about cooking, nutrition and budgeting. Participants will prepare and cook food within each 2 hour session and will be able to take home what they have made. All equipment and food is provided by our tutor. Participants will receive 10 free sessions, after which a fee of £3.00 will apply per session. This fee will cover cost of materials and equipment used in the session. Meet at Marsden Road Health & Wellbeing Centre

Postcode: NE34 6RE Metro: Chichester (Bus recommended)

Bus Service: 1, 8, 10, 10A, 10B, S16, S75, 960, E1, E2, S556, S827. FREE

This is a beautiful park located on the outskirts of and offers a range of habitats from broadleaf woodland to open park land. The spaces allows for a wide range of activities from practical land based tasks to conservation activities including coppicing, tree felling, weeding. Litter picking, plant/bulb planting and painting. Meet outside the Turbinia Pub on Westbourne Avenue

Postcode: NE6 4HT

Metro: Walkergate

Bus Services: 1,1A and 22

FREE

Groundwork work in partnership with Old Town Partnership, Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle to improve local green space and gardens in the old town of Byker through community volunteering. Volunteers can learn about horticulture and practical conservation skills as well as getting active in the outdoors. Activities include weeding, plant/bulb planting, coppicing, fence maintenance and removal of litter. Meet at St Martin Centre (Location may change depending on where the activitiestake place. Contact Activity Leader before each session)

Postcode: NE6 2RJ Metro: Byker Bus Services: 39, 40, 995 How to Join Anyone can join, all you have to do is contact our Communities Team and complete the relevant forms.

You can self refer or you may be referred by a health professional or supporting organi- sation. At some of our venues, we offer 10 free sessions (funded by Public Health South Tyneside ). After the free sessions, you are welcome to continue to attend but a small fee will apply.

Registration packs may be given to you by your referee, or can be requested by contact- ing the Groundwork Communities Team. Please complete all sections of the forms and return completed forms by email or post. The team will then contact you as soon as pos- sible to arrange your first session.

Groundwork CommunitiesTeam The Eco Centre Windmill Way Hebburn Tyne & Wear NE31 1SR

0191 428 1144

[email protected] [email protected]

Happier, Healthier South Tyneside and Newcastle is managed by Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle.

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