- Launching 11th August 2026
- Edinburgh community combine getting fit and supporting local organisations with practical volunteering
- Sessions will be free and inclusive of all fitness levels
- Funded by Places for People
- The new group will combine exercise with practical volunteering.
GoodGym Edinburgh, the first GoodGym group in Scotland, will run weekly sessions to support local charities and organisations such as food banks, schools, community gardens and youth centres.
Residents will run, walk and cycle to sessions, combining exercise and volunteering to benefit themselves and Edinburgh as a whole. As a result, Edinburgh GoodGymers will be improving their local area and their own mental and physical wellbeing.
The London School of Economics found participation in GoodGym sessions led to “extraordinary” increases in life satisfaction, connectedness and belonging.
For the launch, GoodGym will be supporting the Leith Links Community Croft on 11th August with gardening tasks, whilst learning about gardening, food growing, and the concept of an urban community croft.
Each GoodGym session will be providing much needed volunteer support to Edinburgh’s community groups and charities.
Edinburgh GoodGymers will also run, walk and cycle to visit isolated older people, helping with practical tasks they aren’t able to do on their own such as gardening and moving furniture. These visits create crucial social interaction that the GoodGymer and isolated older person wouldn’t ordinarily have.
Kelly Brown, Director, Places for People Scotland, said: “We’re proud to support GoodGym Edinburgh, helping people to improve their health while making a positive difference in their local community.
“This initiative will build connections, reduce isolation and provide valuable support to local organisations.”
Dave Entwistle, GoodGym Edinburgh Area Activator (group leader) said: “Volunteering has played a huge role throughout my life, it has created some of my most meaningful friendships, experiences, opened a lot of doors and helped me feel connected to the communities I have lived in.
“I am looking forward to being a part of creating those same opportunities for others in Edinburgh by connecting people with amazing projects around the city and building our own GoodGym Edinburgh community.”