What is the Green Activity Project?

The free Green Activity Scheme, delivered on Groundwork's network of community allotments, works in partnership with the Exercise Referral and Weight Management Programme to provide a new type of patient option for improving health and well-being. Clients referred by agencies or as 'self referrals' take part in a 10 week supported physical activity programme of one hour per week, gently exercising through gardening, with sessions taking place at one of Groundwork’s 7 community allotments situated across Sunderland. The community allotments are based at:

• Hendon Community Allotment Corporation Road Hendon,
• Houghton Community Allotment Burnside Allotments Houghton-le-Spring,
• Houghton Primary Care Centre community Garden,
• Shields Road Community Allotment Shields Road Fulwell,
• Tunstall Allotments Silksworth,
• Washington Community Allotment Hollin Hill Road Concord Washington, 
• Summerbell Allotments Marley Potts

We have also recently expanded to include a 'Wild Walks' programme based in Washington and Elba Park designed for people to enjoy challenging walks in areas of green space they love.

What Green Activities are running now?

Community Allotments

Learning to grow your own food is a great way to exercise and have fun, with time spent in a ‘green space’ like a park or allotment helping to improve mental health and reduce stress. Growing food is also a great way to save money on healthy choices such as fruit and vegetables, and growing produce can also help remove some of the barriers associated with socio-economic access to a healthy diet. Sessions are led by a fully trained allotment officer who will teach clients how to plant, water and harvest crops in the allotment garden, as well as providing practical tips for clients growing in their own homes. The programme also focuses on gardening for ‘wellbeing and mental health’ with a strong emphasis on healthy eating with sessions including nutritional advice and tips whilst aiming to incorporate ‘allotment cookery’ as a practical way to learn health eating.

As well as having dedicated areas for ‘Green Activity’ sessions to be delivered on, the community allotments are great resources for local groups and schools to get involved with. Any client of the programme who wants to stay on after the 10 weeks and become a member of the community allotment, bringing friends and family along is more than welcome to do so, leading to the longer term sustainability of the programme and increasing the likelihood of changes in lifestyle and physical activity to be maintained after the initial 10 weeks.

Wild Walks

Groundwork also runs a  free 'Wild Walk' programme. Wild Walks are 60 to 90 minute walks designed to physically challenge the walker by incorporating undulating trails and a variety of terrains.  One of the aims of the programme is to attract walkers who are ready to make the step up from regular health walks or who would like a slightly longer route. Where possible leaders like to head off typical walking routes and make the use of woodlands, river banks and coastal features.  

The health benefits of physical activity are well established with regular activity such as walking being associated with the prevention of many physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia and some cancers, particularly when performed at a moderate level of intensity. Furthermore, the evidence base to support the mental health benefits of activity is increasing, especially when that activity is undertaken in an outdoors environment.

Walks currently take palce in Elba Park and Washingfton but walks in other locations in Wearside are currently being developed.  If you are interested in setting up a 10 week pilot of walks in your area, or for further information about Groundwork North East’s Wearside Wild Walks programme please contact Colin Farr on (0191) 5672550 (extension 324) or email on colin.farr@groundwork.org.uk 

Take a look at our schedule below to find out what Green Activity sessions are happening near you.

For further information about Groundwork North East’s Green Activity programme please contact Claire Hutchinson on (0191) 5672550 or email on claire.hutchinson@groundwork.org.uk