GoodGym Orpington: Build fitness and community by becoming GoodGym Orpington\'s Area Activator

GoodGym is a growing community of runners, walkers, and cyclists who get fit by doing good. We shift earth instead of weights and use our exercise to visit older people instead of running still on treadmills.

We employ people who really care about their community to lead GoodGym in their local area with a team of TaskForce. If you’re passionate about health and care about the world around you, we want to work with you in Orpington. You’ll be developing a fitness community by helping charitable organisations across the borough.

We welcome applications from people who are in full-time employment as this role can be done flexibly outside of normal office hours or those looking for a part time role to fit in with other responsibilities.

This role is initially until the end of December 2025, with the possibility of an extension.

Responsibilities

As the GoodGym Orpington area activator, you’ll be responsible for the success of GoodGym in the city. You will increase participation by supporting a network of GoodGym members and local community projects.

• Creating a supportive community of members
• Encouraging engagement by promoting GoodGym activities
• Recruiting members to assist with the above activities
• Increasing the number of GoodGym group sessions being listed

All applicants must have:

• A passion for making communities better
• A passion for fitness: at times you will be required to lead a group of runners so should feel comfortable running at a relaxed pace for 15 minutes without stopping
• Experience of making something happen from scratch; football club, PTA, club night, - anything that shows you get involved
• An ability to appeal to younger people
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good computer and social media skills
• Access to the Internet and a computer so you can use the GoodGym website and engage with your members

We want GoodGym to reflect the diversity of the areas in which we operate. Orpington is a diverse city with residents, businesses, charities and community groups from a wide range of backgrounds. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have a connection to the communities and groups which GoodGym aims to support.

• Knowledge of local community initiatives and charities
• A personal fitness qualification or Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) through England Athletics

Working Hours

We estimate this all to take between 7.2 hours each week, to be worked flexibly across the week.

Pay

£5,544 a year pro rata/ £462 a month rolling monthly freelance contract until December 2025 - this may be reviewed for the successful candidate.

How to apply

Deadline for applications : this is a rolling job advert. Please get your applications in ASAP as we will be reviewing applications as they come in. We will close the advert once the right candidate is found.

Interviews will take place via video call and in person meetings.

Shortlisted applicants will be advised via email & phone call .

To ensure that our recruitment process is fair, we are using a standardised application form for all applicants. Please do not send a CV or a cover letter.

Applicants can apply and submit their application on completion, suitable applicants will be invited for an interview & successful candidates will be invited to complete online training & attend 4. 5 hours of online facilitated training session with GoodGym Central Group Sessions Operations team.

If you wish to discuss the role or have any questions before applying for the role please contact theresa@goodgym.org

We see diversity as a strength and want everyone to be able to be their whole themselves at work. We have a code of conduct in place and are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels safe and respected. Therefore, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by loneliness in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, disability, age, nationality, religious or philosophical belief, sexual orientation, educational attainment, family status, trade union activity or any other factor.

Person specification

Skills and knowledge

• Local knowledge of community groups and charities
• Ability to use social media and Google Apps (mail / calendar)
• Good computer and web skills
• Good communication and negotiation skills
• Personal attributes
• Ability to develop positive relationships with people from all backgrounds
• Ability to coach and mentor people
• Self-motivation: the ability to use self-initiative and makes opportunities happen
• Friendly and approachable
• Passion for fitness

Experience

• Experience in leading running groups and improving the fitness of participants is desirable

Working Hours

7.2 hours per week to be worked flexibly according to the demands of the area. We expect the post holder to respond to email queries within 48 hours.

Responsibilities

• Supporting TaskForce
• Supporting them to use the website
• Answering their queries
• Supporting them in finding organisations to work with
• Supporting them in building long term relationships with organisations
• Regular communication with TaskForce
• Encourage TaskForce to rotate responsibilities
• Identifying and encouraging new TaskForce members
• Resolving issues/disputes between TaskForce members
• Ensuring TaskForce meets the GoodGym code of conduct and guidelines
• Building relationships with task organisations
• Support and monitoring
• You will report to a named person in the GoodGym Central Team
• Support groups/learning groups on video chat on a bi-monthly basis with a regional group of 4-5 people.
• Success of the role will be gauged on overall levels of participation in the area overall.
• Management, Support and Reporting