💥 The 1st of 4 Saturday sessions in October was smashed out the Food Forest this morning by Jaz (first timer whoop!) and Steven

🌱 Joined by Barking Food Forest volunteers Craig & Daniel - along with project lead Nikhil - we completed a crucial task in the build of the new greenhouse, all whilst battling the wind.

🪏 We finished laying access paths either side of the huge new greenhouse. Swapping sled pushes for wheelbarrow runs, we filled barrows with gravel and wheeled them the entire length of the garden - 100 metres!

🦘After all the heavy lifting, we tipped the gravel into the trenches either side of the greenhouse, and did some compacting, i.e. jumping up and down on the gravel.

🪚 We also lifted a large railway sleeper into position for sawing, sliding it into it's final resting place at the end of the access path next to the pond.

✋ High fives all around, thanks Craig for the coffee, and well done Jas on your first ever GoodGym session, look forward to the next one!

happy GoodGymming,

Steven

Huge Congratulations to Claire and Nilu ( yet to officially sign up 🙈) for completing GoodGym today!

After a breather and taking on water, Steven travelled to Barking Good Forest to help continue building the Greenhouse.

A shirt and sweet session, upon arrival, we found out our incredible host Nikhil had had an unfortunate accident and needed to pop to a&e.

He's absolutely fine now, and we cant wait to visit Nikhil at the Food Forest again on Saturday 4 October!

Huge shoutout to the amazing staff at the AbPhab youth centre for having me. After a warm welcome, I got started on some light weeding until the cavalry arrived: Steven and Josh! The staff then pointed us towards what can only be described as a Produce Apocalypse. The garden was beautiful, but those tomato plants and lettuces had clearly abandoned all rules of polite society - they were MASSIVE and overgrown. Our task was simple: Tame the Tomatoes. We put in some serious work, but the payoff was immediate! We celebrated our progress by sampling the harvest - snacking on some incredibly delicious tomatoes we 'rescued' from the vines. We even got to take home some of the lettuces! (Who knew gardening could double as a grocery run?) Thanks to Steven and Josh for the great company and teamwork. We achieved some solid, sustainable success in a short amount of time. I’m already looking forward to the next session!

🎦 see the Insta reel about this session here

⛔ Despite 3 other GoodGymmers (no names 😜) signing up for tonight's big session at Westbury Community Garden in Barking.... Everyone was a no show...

🙈Wash out!

💪However, GoodGym keeps on doing good and getting fit, no matter what

🌳Area Activator Steven went it alone.

🏃After running the 500m from Barking Station, Steven joined Tim at the Garden to dismantle the old table and start digging up the stinging nettle roots!

👋That's all folks.

👀See you Saturday 20th September AM for next session at Barking Food Forest where we'll be helping Nikhil continue building the new greenhouse.

Happy GoodGymming

🍿🎥✮⋆˙ See the Insta reel about this session here

☎️ The BAD phone rang (Barking and Dagenham GoodGym – see what I did there?) 15 mins before task time, our host Nassaba was checking in about H&S what with the rain and wind... then 5 mins later an email from a regular GoodGymmer (no names) that it's too wet to travel in.

💥 ...but 3 GoodGymmers persevered and we smashed our 12th task – this time at Gale Street Community Garden.

🌦️ The rain had literally just stopped by the time we arrived; the sun was threatening to come out... Peter, Virginia, Steven and our host Nassaba from Elevate Together didn’t hesitate and got stuck straight in.

♻️ Litter picking was the first task – we were led down a recently formed path between the shrubs into a newly accessible area of the garden. Waist high wild grass, birds singing, apple trees – it really is an urban paradise.

🦊 Peter and Virginia collected 8 bags of litter in total and made some curious discoveries. Half a fox carcass ( 😢 ) and a slow worm (type of snake).

🚿 Steven and Nassaba headed straight to the back of the shed to start emptying the 3rd of 4 huge rainwater tanks (1000 litres each!) in preparation to raise it up – making the taps more accessible.

😏 All felt very smug that we didn’t let Brida down – the local resident who’s been custodian of the garden for over 20 years.

Our mission at Gale Street Organic Community Garden was one to remember.

The energy was uplifting, the teamwork inspiring, and the sense of purpose undeniable.

Having Ivo (GoodGym's CEO) join us brought an extra spark of motivation, while Harry stepped up effortlessly into the skipper’s role, guiding the group with calm confidence and enthusiasm.

With Peter and Virginia coming back for their second session ( 🎉 ), along with Irina and Emdad - our group of 6 GoodGymmers rolled up their sleeves: weeding stubborn patches, watering thirsty plants, clearing paths, filling the water tanks, and even a spot of litter picking to keep the garden looking its best. Every small action added up, leaving the space more welcoming for everyone who visits.

But GoodGym is never just about the tasks.

It’s about why we do what we do. GoodGym connects fitness with kindness, whilst turning energy into positive action for the community. By supporting places like Gale Street Community Garden, we’re caring for our shared spaces and plants; we’re cultivating wellbeing, unity, and a greener, brighter environment for all.

Community gardens are powerful spaces. They bring people together, offer fresh air, encourage sustainable habits, and provide a safe, shared place where friendships can grow alongside the flowers and vegetables. Supporting them means supporting healthier, more connected neighbourhoods. Volunteering adds so much more than physical results. It lifts spirits, strengthens mental health, builds awareness of the challenges around us, and nurtures a sense of responsibility. The feel good factor is undeniable; moving, sweating, and smiling together gives a boost no gym session could match.

A heartfelt thank you to Breda and Nassaba, as always, for guiding us every step of the way. Your encouragement keeps us going, and your presence reminds us of the power of community spirit.

Gale Street Organic Community Garden is proof that when people come together to give their time, even for an hour, change happens.

We left not just with dirt on our gloves, but with lighter hearts, stronger bonds, and the knowledge that together, we made a difference.