So what is Sefton Green Gym?

The Green Gym is an allotment group that offers people a chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables, whilst enjoying  healthy outdoor exercise. 

All the produce is organic and is shared out.

The Green Gym was established through Queensway Allotments volunteers and others and aided by BTCV expertise, the group enables a broad mix of people to improve their health and well-being through nature conservation and organic market gardening. Everyone is able to work at their own level and is supported in their interests. We all meet and work together so that everyone feels included and engaged. 

The group operates as a cooperative in the sharing out of produce. We have installed raised beds and improved pathways on our site for those with disabilities and for general safety. We have repaired two poly tunnels which have proved useful in the process and the variety of growing. Other sustainable improvements are on the way.

Much of the infrastructure has been improved in the past year and we continue to extend areas for further development.

Sefton Green Gym has in the past year worked with young men from Barnardos and from Crosby High School engaging them in outdoor activities such as digging over soil, planting and paving and engaging them in social contact and an understanding of working in a garden. Their support staff also claim to be beneficiaries of the programme although some have been significant contributors as well.

Significant contributions have been from those retired members in recovery from heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, back problems and general wear and tear who have benefited from working on raised planting beds and the general social contact and activity of the Green Gym. At least 8 members could fall into this category. 

Funding has now stopped and so we are raising funds ourselves through events like the Liverpool Santa Dash. 

The future

We will set up a rainwater collection system, more raised beds, a new shed and fruit trees, seeds etc.

Bees: We aim to work in conjunction with John Moran and his bee project so we will plant Manuka bushes in order to help the bee population.  We have cleared a new section 22 metres by 4 metres and have identified the area to plant.

On one side of the Green Gym we have a 25 metre length that is being made from trellis panels that will act as supports for climbing plants such as native species climbing plants ie clematis and honey suckle, in turn these types and species of plants are excellent for supporting the biodiversity of an area as they help to sustain healthy colonies of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to gardeners. In many areas, bees such as the red tailed bumble bee and carder bee are in decline and need as much help as they can to help to sustain there numbers throughout Britain.

Butterflies such as the red admiral and painted lady are also in decline in the British countryside and could also benefit from this sort of project.