Parkrun at prison – boosting wellbeing in the most unlikely of venues

In June, Forward staff, Carolyn (Caz) Caffery and Matt Stodart, undertook the race challenge, speaking highly of the value of the many health benefits of doing parkrun, but also the importance of doing this within a prison setting – raising vital awareness of importance of good health within the prison community.

Caz, Recovery Worker at Her Majesty’s Young Offenders Institution (HMYOI) provides her summary of the event:

“As someone who is incredibly passionate about parkrun, it has played a big part in my own life (and now my families lives) for a number of years.

“I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to take part in the event, especially within a custodial setting, and I would like to say a huge thankyou to all the prisoners who took part in that June Tern Hill parkrun. I was made to feel very welcome at their event, and appreciate the efforts that staff took (time and logistics) to arrange it so I could attend.

“The benefits of parkrun, in terms of physical health are more obvious, but for me, it has always been about so much more than that, especially in terms of a sense of belonging that you feel when you turn up to an event, anywhere in the country (and indeed the world), with the same familiarity, warm welcome, and encouragement over the finish line – including from some of the more speedy finishers and marshal volunteers who give up their time each week to make such events possible. 

“I believe the links between parkrun and rehabilitation, and what we try to achieve in the custodial setting, should not be underestimated, especially for those trying to maintain the positive life changes in the community, following release from prison. 

“So, whether you choose to run, jog or walk it, just give it a go, as they say in parkrun, a 60-minute 5K is the same distance as a 30-minute 5K!”