Barbaratogether with Roxy ( who was - literally - fresh from her marathon success at the weekend) helped out Margaret with some much needed pruning.

Always appreciative and always full of smiles, its always a pleasure to give Margaret a helping hand.

Today we are back here for our third visit to this Turning Tides accommodation. It was another warm evening, but sweat, minimal blood (you must take more care Paul!) and no tears saw us continue the transformation from unkempt and dishevelled to neat and tidy. There is still a way to go, but progress is definitely being made

There's no business like grow business

Cutting back and removing waste material seems to be a staple for us, but our GoodGym group is certainly growing. It was great to welcomeSarah to her first group session today. Her raking around the undergrowth and clearing of Ryanstrimmings followed by hedge trimming at the front showed how willing she is to throw herself fully and enthusiastically into the task. Hopefully this will be the first of many for Sarah.

Keeping up appearances

On arrival we were asked if we could tackle the hedge at the front of the property where the overhanging bush and trailing ivy encroached on the pavement. When it comes to cutting things back, you don’t have to ask Worthing GoodGym twice. Secateurs and lopers in hand Paul and Paul attacked to overgrowth with gusto.

The side hustle

Not to be outdone Sarah (old Sarah? Rain averse Sarah? Accessory Sarah - dear reader, if such exists, please edit in your head as you read to get the Sarah you recognise) and Mel attacked the bushes along the side of the parking area with the same enthusiasm. The piles of cuttings grew quicker than any plant could.

Sweeping up appearances

The rest of the team swept, gathered, and carried so we could leave the premises at least as tidy as when we arrived, but certainly much trimmer, both back and front.

Celebrate good times, come on……

Today we were in celebratory mood at Worthing GoodGym. No “Bah Humbug” here; we’re more “Bar? I’ll have a beer…..”.

Achieved a marathon

On Saturday, whilst most GoodGymers settle for a 5K parkrun, our very special RoxyPRoxy (if you know you know, if not you’ve just missed Worthing GoodGym pun of the year!) ran her 3rd marathon. Only ran for 3 hours 50 minutes though. Well done that one!

A marathon achievement

Our main celebration though is focussed onJulia : Worthing GoodGym area activator. Today it was Good Deed 400 for Julia. Amazing! That represents 400 plus hours of time given to support our local community. That’s the equivalent of 10 weeks full time work!

More, much more than that

As area activator for Worthing since it’s launch in March 2017, Julia has been responsible for enabling over 2800 hours of support in the community, building positive relationships with many local organisations. That’s the equivalent of more than 70 working weeks given to improve our local area and the lives of many who need support and care in order to thrive.

FITting in so much more

Julia’s knowledge and expertise has been put to good use over the years, putting GoodGymers through their paces. Burpees became a staple topic of discussion, regular monthly challenges kept us pushing ourselves. Now Julia is training to compete in a European HYROX event how long will it be before we are introduced to some new monthly fitness challenges?

From Julia

Many thanks to John for writing this report and generally organising all my treats tonight - without him GoodGym Worthing wouldn't be aw amazing as it is 👌😍

On a previous visit to Worthing, I saw that the town Information Centre let's you borrow litter picking equipment to clean up the beach.

I decided to take part.

I have to say, the beach was pretty clean, or maybe the bag was bigger than I was used to. After plodding about for nearly two hours I still hadn't filled the bag.

The most common piece of rubbish was baby wipes, and the most unusual piece of rubbish was some bits of wood nailed together, perhaps previously part of a chair or table.

Litter Pick at Goring Gap: A Community Effort to Protect a Local Beauty Spot

On a warm August evening, a small but determined group of volunteers gathered at our local Goring Gap to tackle the ever-growing problem of litter.John, Belinda, Gillybean ,Ricky , Stéphane, andRoxy — along with Mali, her spirited 5-month-old Malinois — spent an hour collecting bags full of rubbish strewn across the grass verges of this popular green space.

Despite having carried out a litter pick here only a few weeks ago, the team was disheartened to find the area once again in need of attention. It's truly heartbreaking to witness how quickly this natural haven can be spoiled by careless behaviour.

Equipped with litter pickers, bin bags, and a strong sense of purpose, the group combed through the area, restoring some of its beauty and reminding all who visit how important it is to respect and protect our shared environment. A passer by pitched in to give a had too which was helpful and unexpected!

The teams efforts serve as a reminder that it takes just a few dedicated individuals to make a positive difference — but also highlight the urgent need for greater awareness and responsibility when enjoying public green spaces. Some well placed bins may help too !

Special mention to El who couldnt make the task but who was doing her own litter pick this evening.

See you all next week for my 400th task !

I attended the Goodgym flowerbed with my new watering can to give them a drink. They appeared very appreciative and help to brighten up the area.

On a sunny and peaceful July evening, GoodGym volunteers Roxy and Barbara visited the Beehive Residential Care Home to lend a helping hand in the beautiful garden cared for by Margaret, one of the home’s most cherished residents.

Margaret, known for her dedication and green thumb, spends hours lovingly tending to the garden so that all the residents can enjoy its colour, calm, and life. Her enthusiasm and pride in the space are infectious, and it was a joy for Roxy and Barbara to work alongside her.

The team got stuck into some gentle weeding and pruning, working together to clear away overgrowth and make the flowerbeds shine again. Laughter and stories were shared between snips of secateurs, with Margaret offering expert guidance and a warm smile throughout.

To ensure safety, Roxy and Barbara thoughtfully placed a bright cone over a tripping hazard they spotted in the garden — a small but important gesture to help keep Margaret and other residents safe while they enjoy the outdoor space.

The hour flew by, and as the garden looked neater and more vibrant, there was a real sense of shared achievement. It was a perfect example of what community connection and kindness can bring.

Thank you to Margaret for welcoming the GoodGym team so warmly — we can’t wait to return and see what’s blooming next!