Ouseburn Festival 2025 is just around the corner so Louise Laws and I were out flyering for the people of High Heaton! There’s plenty of free and un-ticketed events throughout the weekend (5-6th July) including live music, food markets, workshops and even a chance to meet some Alpacas so get yourself down to the Ouseburn Valley this weekend!

Is there such a thing as a double solo good deed? If so, Dan and I just did one (or two!) There have been quite a few GoodGym Newcastle people out and about recently, spreading the word about this weekend’s fantastic Ouseburn Festival and we continued that mission this morning. Good to get a few steps in and hopefully get a few more people along to the festival, supporting local businesses and charities. Maybe we’ll see you there!

On a balmy Monday evening six GoodGymers helped prepare Stepney Bank Stables for this weekend's Ouseburn Festival.

Louise undoubtedly worked the hardest, mopping the floor with cold water and no detergent. It did definitely look better afterwards than it did before! Scott rearranged the chaotic helmets, while put the dozens of pairs of boots into size order on their racks.

Meanwhile Eleanor, Aimee and Dan took the lead with transporting the horse-related books upstairs, then arranging them in a perfectly colour-coordinated way on the bookshelves.

Please visit the Ouseburn Festival at the weekend if you can, and we'll see you next Monday to pick up the litter that didn't end up in the local bins.

Another Sunday and another marshaling role at Mowbray Park for Junior Parkrun.

Today had a bonus good deed with an opportunity to donate pre loved activewear and trainers to Active Sunderland’s Kit Out campaign.

A great task as usual, lovely to cheer the kids on to a fab achievement.

On a pleasant Saturday morning, three GoodGymers helped Newcastle Parks and Allotments with some weeding in Elswick Park, just managing to get finished before a little rain shower.

The before and after photographs tell their own story. The park rangers were particularly happy that the stone circle at the top of the steps was cleared of weeds.

Cups of tea were drunk before the park rangers moved onto their next task at Nunsmoor Park.

Please come and join us on Monday as we help prepare Stepney Bank Stables for the Ouseburn Festival.

GoodGym had their first visit to One Strawberry Soup at One Strawberry Lane, including getting involved in a magic card trick.

Some good conversations were had with organisations who were also there.