GoodGym returned to the Enchanted Autumnfest this evening to cover the peak visiting period as extra security and way-finders.

With the pumpkin patch packed to the brim with kids and adults alike, there was plenty to keep an eye on. Our dynamic pumpkin-guarding team had a blast; even with one volunteer arriving very late 🎃!

Meanwhile, over on the light trail, it was all about crowd control. The rest of the team guided visitors into the newly dubbed Graveyard of 'Doom', introducing them to 'Stan' the skeleton along the way.

Fortunately, all our 'victims' made it through intact - no lost arms or legs to report! On their way back, we kept the crowds moving smoothly while soaking up endless compliments about how incredible the trail looked. (Of course, we already knew that, having made the most of the perk to walk the trail before and after our shift!).

Time flew, and after a busy 90 minutes of spook-tacular volunteering, we wanted to stay (it was so much fun)!. An absolute blast of a return visit, fantastic job, team. Welcome to James, who was making his GoodGym debut - we hope too see you again soon. 🌟

Five eager Goodgymers (including a very welcome extra pair of hands!) dropped by Critical Support to sort deliveries ahead of the weekend!

We kicked off downstairs with two of the team lending a hand with incoming deliveries before joining the rest of the crew upstairs to tackle the main event: a Multibank pile packed with random, non-perishable items.

First up was crate-ing order out of chaos - deciphering what was already boxed up, relabelling, and re-organising everything to maximise the shelf limited space.

Sorting through these deliveries is always a fun adventure because you never know what you’ll find in the mix, an unexpected dressing-up section was definitely today's top-tier highlight!

The team worked together very well to clear the decks in just over an hour. Trading a standard workout for that box-ticking, satisfying feeling of a completely transformed room made for a fantastic session. Well-stacked effort, team!

Although our planned team of three became a determined duo after a late illness, small can be mighty, and Monday's GoodGym crew still managed to complete the primary mission in the bell tower at St John's church in South Wimbledon.

Years of bags, backs and bums had left the whitewashed walls of the ringing chamber looking rather tired, while recent electrical works had revealed a few previously hidden patches around a replacement fuse board. With a fundraising festival taking place on Friday, visitors will soon be touring the bell tower and seeing the bell ringers in action, making this the perfect time for a refresh.

Armed with brushes and rollers, we set about repainting the lower section of the ringing chamber and freshening up the precious storage space. By the end of the evening, the planned areas were looking noticeably brighter, cleaner and more welcoming.

Better still, our handiwork should now be resilient to another decade of wear and tear from future bags, backs and bums. Not bad going for a determined duo!

Tonight was a magical session - with no sign of gardening or cleaning in sight, we descended upon the Enchanted Autumnfest to support the bright sparks at That Event Works CIC!

After a quick stop by the wellbeing tent, we shone a light on wayfinding duties and kept a squash-buckling guard over the pumpkin patch 🎃.

We promise we took our duties grave-ly seriously, but with so much creativity along the route, it was impossible not to be bewitched as we guided visitors through. 🌟

At the end of our shift, we reconvened under a spooky tree to leaf all work behind and celebrate Rachael reaching her 100th good deed! 🎉 An un-boo-lievable achievement and a great excuse to mul-led the evening over with a warm cup of wine!

We gathered at the church to lend a hand ahead of the upcoming Ale Festival.

First up was a spot of heavy lifting, moving stacks of boxes to clear the space in the church. Up in the bell tower, we cleared away cobwebs, brushed down the walls, and gave everything a thorough washdown with plenty of sugar soap.

Everything is ready for tomorrow's painting session!

Returning for another weekly shift at Merton’s Community Fridge, we backed up the distribution team at the end of a busy session by wiping down the space, sorting the recycling, and resetting the area for next time. To top off a productive wrap-up, we rescued excess bread and pastries from going to waste, keeping good food in circulation and taking home a well-earned perk.