Be a Future Leader
Lead runs. Build skills. Make real impact.
Monday 18th May
Story written by Dan Dunn (He/ him)
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GoodGym is looking for the next generation of leaders.
Become a Future Leader and make a difference to your community.
This is for you if you’re 18–25, enjoy running, fitness, or being active, want to build your leadership skills, and care about community impact.
🚨 Only 20 places in each cohort available
APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED FOR BOTH THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN COHORTS OF THE FUTURE LEADER PROGRAMME
IF YOU ARE AGED 18-25 AND INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED AS A LEADER WITH GOODGYM PLEASE CONTACT ED@GOODGYM.ORG / JACK@GOODGYM.ORG
Southern cohort (Applications Closed)
📍 In person session in London – 19th of June
Northern cohort(Applications Closed)
📍In person session Manchester – 17th of July
WHY JOIN?
Extras
Alongside building your skills, you'll get:
- Technical running kit
- Race Entry
- Invite to the GoodGym Shindig (weekend away)
- End-of-course wrap party
💥 WHY THIS EXISTS
We all want ways to make a difference and leaders we believe in. Our cities have lots that can be improved; from unused public spaces to community groups that need help. GoodGym sets up fitness sessions that help community groups. It makes people feel good and contributes thousands of hours to community projects. Future Leader will equip you to setup fitness and volunteering sessions where you live.
The Future Leader Programme is designed to help you:
- Step into leadership
- Build real-world experience
- Gain confidence running sessions and working with others
- Make a difference to your area
- Stand out as a role model for others
🏃 WHAT YOU’LL ACTUALLY DO
Across the programme, you’ll:
- Learn how to lead safe, inclusive running sessions
- Learn key marketing and social media skills
- Develop your communication and facilitation skills
- Work with other young people in a team environment
- Build confidence speaking in front of groups
- Get mentoring and support to deliver fitness/volunteering sessions
💡HOW IT WORKS
The programme is delivered until Dec 2026. It’s part time, flexible, and designed to work around a busy schedule.
Cohort training days
Southern Cohort training day:
London: June to Dec 2026: Workshop Day 19th June 9.30am -4.30pm
Northern Cohort training day:
Manchester: July to Dec 2026: Workshop Day 17th July 9.30am -4.30pm
The day will include:
- Cohort run
- Intro to leadership
- Marketing
- Run leadership
- Group and individual photo shoot
Cohort video calls
You’ll have a cohort call to catchup with other leaders.
Local mentoring
You’ll be matched with a mentor who will help you setup sessions, improve your leadership, set up collaborations and work on your target skills.
December (week of 14th): Wrap party in London
Celebration of what we’ve achieved as a cohort.
Travel
A bursary is available to help cover cost of transport for the cohort sessions for those living outside Manchester/ London.
Let us know in your application if you need help covering transport costs.
✅ WHO IS IT FOR?
This is for you if:
- You’re 18–25
- You enjoy running, fitness, or being active
- You want to build your leadership skills
- You care about community or social impact
This programme is targeted at young people and we will prioritise those aged 18-25. If you are 35 or below we'd still love you to apply will aim to find a way to involve you on our work. GoodGym's TaskForce training is open to anyone 18+. If you have questions please email Jackd@goodgym.org.
Must be living in these cities:
To get support from local mentors, you must be living in or near one of the following locations:
How the cohort will be selected:
- Leadership potential
- Interest and passion
- Community building and impact you want to make
You don’t need extensive experience.
We’ll also consider:
- Geography: we want to include people from many different locations
You don’t need to be an expert runner or have any fitness qualifications
Whether you are in or out of work and, have just finished School or Uni, or are looking for something to do around a full time job, Future Leader can fit alongside your busy life.
📝 HOW TO APPLY
Simple. Takes 5 minutes.
- Click apply button below
- Answer a few quick questions
- Tell us why you’re interested
No long forms. No pressure.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
IF YOU ARE AGED 18-25 AND INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED AS A LEADER WITH GOODGYM PLEASE CONTACT ED@GOODGYM.ORG / JACK@GOODGYM.ORG
🚨 Only 20 places per city. Apply early.
🫶Who’s behind this?
GoodGym is a nationwide movement combining fitness with social good. GoodGymers run walk and cycle to support community projects and older people, and has a growing network of passionate, active people.
The Zurich Community Trust is the charitable arm of Zurich Insurance UK, supporting stronger and more inclusive communities through funding, volunteering and partnerships.
Running Industry Alliance (RIA) is the official Industry Knowledge Partner for GoodGym’s Movement for Change initiative, strengthening a shared commitment to using movement, community and collaboration as a force for positive social impact.
The Astra Foundation is a UK family foundation supporting empowering young people, tackling loneliness and plastic pollution and creating stronger, more resilient communities.