Jog On!
The Pitch
Problem statement
While there are gyms and fitness studios in the City of London, many are prohibitively expensive and lack a sense of community. The needs of older women are seldom met, and it is rare to see a female over 40 in a fitness class in the City of London. According to research by Sport England, one third of women aged 41–60 do not meet the Chief Medical Officer’s exercise guidelines. According to Women in Sport, over 8 out of 10 inactive women in midlife would like to exercise more. Running is recognised as a cheap and effective way of keeping physically and mentally fit, yet many women feel self-conscious and concerned about personal safety.
Solution
Jog On! is a community running group primarily aimed at women aged 40+ in the City of London, although it is open to anyone who wishes to run with us. Weekly group runs of 3-5km at an easy pace build confidence and a community with a strong emphasis on nobody being left behind. We will support each other in making progress and celebrate achievements. In addition to weekly runs, there will be workshops on injury prevention, nutrition, and the menopause. Funding will be used to gain Leadership in Running accreditation from England Athletics, ensuring that the group is managed with best practice. It is required for workshops (venues and qualified experts) and for the promotion of Jog On!
Why are we best placed to deliver?
As a 48 year-old woman, I am conscious of being the oldest participant in gyms and fitness studios in the City of London, yet I am not yet ready for more sedate activities such as aqua aerobics or chair yoga. I am currently in the perimenopause, and I feel the benefit of running, although I often struggle to come to terms that my energy levels are not the same as when I used to complete marathons in my 30s. I want to bring together like-minded women in the City of London, to create a supportive network so that everyone can feel their best and make meaningful connections locally. There is currently nothing else like this in the City of London: I want to be the change that I want to see.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Accreditation from England Athletics: Leadership in Running Fitness | £200 |
| Branding and promotion: to recruit new members and raise awareness of the project. | £200 |
| Workshops on injury prevention, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and the menopause: venues snd qualified experts’ fees. | £600 |
Beneficiaries
16 people
Who will benefit
Expected impact
Jog On! will offer its members a supportive network and local running community for females aged 40+ who may be struggling with their self-esteem as they enter peri-menopause. Jog On! enables its members to run safely as a group and gain the health benefits of running. With each achievement celebrated, confidence is built that spreads into other areas of life behind the running routes.