You are in: Cymru/Wales : Wales : Green Exercise : Training & Accreditation

Dydd Llun 21 Mai 2012

Training & Accreditation

A wide range of training opportunities are available for those who attend Green Gym activities and also for those volunteers who would like to take a more active leadership role within the group. These include formal and informal courses both within TCV and through external training courses.

Open College Network (OCN)

TCV's formal training programme includes four units accredited in Wales through the Open College Network:

  • Essentials of a Green Gym
  • Planning and Delivering Green Gym Sessions
  • Adults as Learners
  • Leading Practical Projects

These are of the same level as an NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification, though currently Level 1 units are being written to start people along the road to lifelong learning.

"Organising a Green Gym" course

This two-day course aimed at lead volunteers, TCV Green Gym staff, partners organisations in the voluntary sector and health care professionals is the basic level of training needed for running a Green Gym. It involves much of the background of Green Gyms, including mental and physical health problems, partnership building and getting people involved. It also covers the practicalities of leading a Green Gym session. Please contact our helpline on 08702 404841 for details of the next available course.

Fitness Training

An important aspect of the Green Gyms are the warm ups and cool downs at the end of each session. These have huge health benefits as well as being an entertaining way to get to know your co-volunteers better. Because of this, TCV has partnered with Fitness Wales instructors to train your group to undertake these warm up and cool down sessions to meet the needs of the group.

External Training Courses

Whatever your interest, there are a range of training and certificates available to Green Gym participants and leaders, e.g. nutrition, first aid, employability, basic organisational skills-like how to run a local group and fund its activities. If you can't find something to interest you, why not suggest something new! Also available are a variety of practical conservation skills accredited by the Open College Network.