GoodGym – Supporting Communities Along the Trans Pennine Trail

At the Trans Pennine Trail National Office, we’re fortunate to work with many inspiring community groups. One of the most energetic and impactful is GoodGym – a charity whose members combine being active with helping local organisations. As GoodGym begins planning its volunteering calendar for 2026, we’re excited to connect even more groups along and around the Trail with their brilliant support. 

Whether your organisation is based directly on the Trans Pennine Trail, near one of its green corridors, or simply helps people enjoy the outdoors, GoodGym could help bring your project to life next year. 

What GoodGym Can Help With
GoodGym volunteers love getting stuck into practical tasks. They can help with jobs such as: 

• Painting and decorating 

• Basic DIY (manual tools only) 

• Litter picking and skip filling 

• Gardening, habitat improvements, and outdoor cleanups 

• Sorting, organising, and other community based tasks 

As long as the task doesn’t involve power tools or specialist trade skills, GoodGym will usually be able to help and if you’re unsure, they’re always happy to discuss your idea. 

Organisations are now invited to submit tasks for 2026. Whether you have a one-off job or part of a longer term project, you can request support through their short “request a task” form, choosing your preferred date and providing a few details. 

Case Study: GoodGym Sheffield on the Trans Pennine Trail

GoodGym Sheffield is a fantastic example of how community led volunteering can make a real difference along the Trail. Their activities are fully organised and led by local volunteers, who plan, coordinate, and deliver each session to ensure things run safely and smoothly. 

How Their Weekly Missions Work
Every Monday evening, the Sheffield group meets at The Showroom Cinema in the city centre. At 18:45, they set off together on foot – jogging as a team to a nearby community organisation that needs practical help. 

Once they arrive, volunteers immediately get to work on a hands-on task such as vegetation clearing, painting, tidying outdoor areas, or helping with light maintenance. After the job is finished, they run back to their starting point, usually returning between 20:00 and 20:15. 

For host organisations, it’s simple: just provide the tools or PPE required, and GoodGym will take care of the rest. 

Supporting the Trail Directly

Alongside their weekly work, GoodGym Sheffield also hold regular monthly volunteering sessions on the Trans Pennine Trail. These sessions are delivered in partnership with our TPT Volunteer Rangers, who guide the team through tasks such as path maintenance, vegetation cutting, litter picking, and general care of key Trail sections. 

Their most recent session focused on essential tidy-up work, the kind of activity that helps keep the Trail safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone. The enthusiasm and teamwork shown by GoodGym volunteers shines through every time, and their contribution makes a visible and immediate difference. 

Why This Model Works So Well
GoodGym’s approach is simple but incredibly effective: physical activity + purposeful volunteering = real community impact. 

Because their sessions are designed and led by local volunteers, the partnership is sustainable, flexible, and rooted in community spirit. Their work helps create greener, safer, and more welcoming outdoor spaces for the thousands of people who enjoy the Trans Pennine Trail each year. 

Why We’re Proud to Share This
We see daily how important volunteer support is for the places and communities surrounding the Trail. Groups like GoodGym play a vital role in keeping green routes tidy, improving access, supporting charities, and strengthening people’s connection to the outdoors. 

If your organisation shares our goal of creating welcoming, inclusive, and well cared for outdoor spaces, we’d love for you to connect with GoodGym and explore what you could achieve together in 2026. 

Hannah | TPT Senior Development Officer
Date: 30th January, 2026

Mandy Loach     

Hannah Beaumont      

Robert Drummond