This Monday's task was to help deliver the latest edition of the local community newsletter. Calling it a newsletter doesn't really do it justice – it's a hefty booklet packed with stories, events and all the good news happening across the community.

We were joined by Peter, who was born in the area and followed on from John leading The Shewsy Youth Centre and has a long history with it, having first attended as an eight-year-old. Peter and John clearly go back a long way, and their banter was one of the many highlights of the the evening.

Before we set off, Clara did a brilliant job making sure everyone knew which streets they were covering, keeping us organised so there was no doubling up and no roads missed.

Clara teamed up with Dina, and a big congratulations were in order for Dina, who quietly completed her fifth Goodgym task over the weekend. . It already feels like you've been part of the group for much longer Dina.

Aatefa and Heetu had run to the task before heading off to cover their patch. Heetu enthusiastically grabbed a huge bag of newsletters, apparently running to the task wasn't enough exercise for her – she decided to fit in a bit of weight training too.

As we all drew to the end of our paper rounds we waved to Naser and Peter who were just a few houses down. But they stood for a long time ... what was wrong? Nothing! they were just continuing their conversation and as they said 'putting the world's to rights'. Naser never fails to make fabulous connections with people wherever we go so I dont know why I hadn't realised.

The paper round complete, we all headed home, another Monday night task ticked off.

I'll finish with an indulgent reflection, seeing as I'm the one writing the report! It struck me that over the course of this weekend I'd spent time with every single Goodgymmer who was on tonight's task. I'd also been in Everton on Saturday's task with John, our task owner. Moments like that remind me why Goodgym means so much to me. Spending time together, doing something positive for our communities, doesn't just benefit the places we visit – it nourishes and nurtures me. I'm incredibly grateful to be part of it

Everton park is on a site that used to be high rise social housing and jn the 1970s and 80s that was demolished and a beautiful park was created, a stunning green space with activity areas for locals to enjoy. It is widely known in Liverpool for having one of the best views of the city. Friends of Everton Park maintain the large park and attend to the community gardens. John is our main point of contact and he was the brains behind their new initiative, an Everton Park games. He told us that his inspiration for the games was going to Scotland and seeing the Highland Games that are enjoyed by local communities there. They have assault courses where competitors toss hay bails and build fences. A relay race filled with challenging activities. So this is what John set about creating. A space on the hill was allocated and John got a track painted onto the grass.

The course included passing through hoops, running backwards with heavy bags, rolling a large tube up the hill, constructing a jigsaw puzzle, looping rope onto cones, manoeuvring a wheelbarrow through a line of poles and finally throwing the heavy bag into a hoop.

Unfortunately no one had signed up to this first event but that was ok, in fact it was a perfect opportunity to test run the event and iron out any problems before holding the event again at a later date. After the intense heat some rainfall was welcome, Sallyann, Heetu, myself, Vikky, Aatefa and Nasser all pitched in to help set up and dismantle the course. We then ran the course with varying levels of success! It was incredibly fun with just a few teething issues that we discussed with John and the other volunteers at the end so that the next event could be a success.

The course created some fun inter-generational discussion with the older volunteers comparing the course to the hit 80s phenomenon ‘It’s a Knockout’ and slightly younger volunteers referencing 90s show ‘The Krypton Factor’ still both vintage references, clearly this format needs a reboot for the 21st century! Thanks John and everyone for a really fun day.

This week, we were back at Everton Park and quickly split into two groups. Thanks Miriam and Aatefa for the two reports!

Litterpicking

Myself, Jo, Lucien, Craig and Clara went off to do the litterpicking at the bottom of the park. Apparently this stretch of the park is where fans from all over the world walk through from the city centre to get to Anfield so it has to look presentable to showcase Liverpool. The litter was prolific. Mostly sweet wrappers and plastic bags and lots of bottles but reward for unusual find goes to Jo who found a plastic elephant, she also found a birds nest and a clothing wrack. In an hour we collected eight sack fulls of rubbish. We took them to the community skip. On the way back to the gardens we saw a brightly painted skate park and a newly opened kids parked. It’s easy to see what a rich community Everton is and we felt glad to be able to contribute.

The Verdant Verdict: A Chronicle of Ten GoodGymers in Everton

In the heart of Everton, where the city's pulse beats a steady rhythm against the hum of nature, a fellowship of ten gathered as the day began its gentle descent into dusk. They were the GoodGymers, a modern-day band of heroes whose strength was not measured in muscle alone, but in the collective will to cultivate community. Their destination was the Everton Community Garden, a cherished green sanctuary that had called upon their aid. And as the sun cast its final, golden rays upon the garden's entrance, casting long, dancing shadows across the earth, the ten assembled, each having answered the call in their own noble fashion.

For some, the journey was a quiet pilgrimage through the amber-lit streets, their footsteps soft upon the pavement as they walked with thoughtful purpose through the cooling evening air. For others, it was a pedal-powered odyssey, wheels turning in rhythm with the city's gentle twilight hum. And for two among their number, it was a spirited run, a rhythmic pounding of trainers against the tarmac as they made their way from Suitcases, that beloved landmark upon Hope Street, their breath keeping time with Liverpool's own steady pulse, until they arrived at the verdant embrace of Everton Park just as the evening began to unfurl its velvet cloak. Yet, regardless of the path each had trodden, they all converged as one, a tapestry of diverse faces, ten unique stories, united by a singular and noble purpose. Each arrival was met with warmth, for every journey, whether by foot, by wheel, or by run, was a gift of time and energy freely offered to the community they cherished, offered not in the brightness of morning, but in the quiet generosity of an evening given to service.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the promise of an evening's noble toil. The cool breeze carried whispers of the day's fading warmth, and the garden seemed to sigh with anticipation. The session commenced not with the clang of a bell, but with the welcoming words of the Run leader, his voice carrying gently through the twilight. A special warmth filled the air as Hasan was introduced, a bright new star in their constellation of volunteers. His first session was marked by a chorus of greetings, a genuine embrace from the entire group, officially welcoming him into the fold. Every member, whether they had walked, cycled, or run to be there, offered him a beaming smile and a hand of friendship, for they knew that the strength of their fellowship lay not in how they arrived, but in the fact that they had arrived at all, sacrificing their evening hours for a cause greater than themselves.

With the pleasantries exchanged, the tone turned to one of thoughtful preparation. A comprehensive safety briefing was delivered, its words carefully chosen and heeded, outlining the careful choreography of the evening's activities. The group listened with intent, ten pairs of eyes fixed upon their leader in the fading light, understanding that the true essence of their work lay not in reckless haste, but in mindful and considered effort, especially as the evening shadows grew longer. The plan was set: a two-pronged assault on the garden's ills, with the ultimate goal of restoring its inherent grace before nightfall claimed the sky.

The fellowship was then cleaved into two groups of five, each embarking on a distinct quest, and each member, whether they had arrived on foot, on two wheels, or on two swift legs, was entrusted with a role of equal importance.

The first quintet, armed with grabbers and bin bags, began their meticulous sweep beneath the amber sky. They were the "Litter Knights," banishing the forgotten wrappers and stray detritus that had dared to mar the garden's beauty. Their work was a silent conversation with the earth, a reclaiming of its purity as the daylight slowly surrendered to dusk. Every piece of litter collected was a small victory, and every member of this group, be they walker, cyclist, or runner, contributed with equal diligence and pride, their efforts illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun.

Simultaneously, the second group of five, equipped with sturdy tools and unwavering resolve, turned their attention to a grander task. They ventured into the adjacent areas of Everton, not to fell, but to liberate. Their mission was to clear the space around "Chree Trees," a term that seemed to hum with the spirit of the old Everton, ensuring these leafy sentinels could breathe freely and stand tall against the urban sprawl. With each branch cleared and each weed uprooted, they restored dignity to the ancient trees, their silhouettes stark and beautiful against the evening sky. Every member of this group, whether they had arrived by foot, by cycle, or by run, worked with equal passion and strength, their labour a quiet offering to the encroaching night.

And so, for a time, the symphony of labour played on as the evening deepened around them: the whisper of leaves as branches were cleared, the soft clink of litter meeting its metal container, the steady breath of the runners now restored, the gentle hum of conversation, and the shared camaraderie of a team working in perfect harmony against the fading light. Each member, regardless of how they had arrived, found their place in this beautiful orchestra of effort. The journey from Suitcases, the stroll from nearby streets, the cycle from distant corners, all became threads in a single tapestry of community spirit, each thread equally vital to the whole, woven together as the stars began to peek through the darkening canopy above.

As the evening sky deepened into a canvas of indigo and the first stars began to twinkle, the two groups concluded their respective campaigns. Their work was a resounding success. The littered pathways were once again pristine, and the areas around the ancient trees were cleared, allowing the moonlight to soon dapple the ground in silver patterns. The garden and its surrounding spaces now breathed a sigh of relief, their innate beauty coaxed back to the surface by the gentle hands of their caretakers, even as darkness settled around them. And every single member, walker, cyclist, and runner alike, could look upon the transformation and know that their contribution, however great or small, had been indispensable.

The final, glorious act of the evening was the reunion. Both groups, their spirits high and their work complete, converged once more in the heart of the Everton Community Garden, now bathed in the soft glow of street lamps and the gentle light of a rising moon. They stood together, a fellowship of ten, surveying their handiwork, a transformed landscape that stood as a testament to what a community can achieve when every member gives their all, even as the day gives way to night. No distinction was made between those who had walked, those who had cycled, or those who had run; all were celebrated equally, for each had brought their own unique gift to the evening. With farewells exchanged beneath the stars, promises to return, and hearts overflowing with quiet pride, each member began their journey home, the walkers strolling with satisfied steps through the lamplit streets, the cyclists pedalling with renewed vigour into the cool night air, and the two runners turning back towards Suitcases on Hope Street, their legs carrying them home through the darkened city with the sweet fatigue of an evening well spent. But whether they travelled by foot, by wheel, or by run, they all carried with them the same treasure: the joy of service, the warmth of fellowship, and the quiet satisfaction of a job beautifully done under the watchful gaze of the evening sky.

In that moment of collective reflection, surrounded by the fruits of their labour and the gentle hush of night, one thing was clear:

It was a truly tree-mendous effort.

So, there were six of us tonight, and even though I was supposed to lead, life threw a curveball—so, Liam and Sophie became the dream team and took over! Classic GoodGym—when one falters, someone jumps in.

Jo arrived from Exeter, its always lovely when Jo has work on in Liverpool as we get to see her. I didnt get to chat tonight as I was late arriving and we were on different sites... but send my love to my birth county Jo.

Jo, Sophie, and Liam got straight to work taming a very overgrown raised bed by St. Peter’s Church, next to the Shewsy community centre. Bramble-wrangling, buddleia-bashing, plantain pulling and bush-busting clearing that raised bed. There was a particularly dug in bush that needed removing which the terrific trio managed with their strength and enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Ellie, Heetu, and I made a fashionably 5 minute late entrance, but we quickly got stuck in—saws in hand, we chopped down poplar saplings, which were overgrowing horse chestnuts and cowslips. John planted more cowslips whilst we sawed. I clearly worked hard despite every photo looking like I was just chatting as I even broke a saw—Heetu was practically doing a happy dance, since we always rib her about brush breakages!

After all that, we regrouped, and took the group photos, before heading off. Heetu and i couldn't resist doing a little overtime and finishing the job of clearing the white poplar saplings... we will be pop(u)lar!.

Being in Everton—home of the Blues—I could’ve easily had the blues about being late, but instead, I felt lifted by it all. And on the ride home, the sunset was quietly beautiful—a reminder that even when things don’t start as planned, you can still find yourself chasing the light.

There’s something about evenings like this—being outside, working alongside others, doing something simple but worthwhile. It slows things down, shifts your perspective a little, and reminds you what matters. I may not always feel like turning up for a session but I never regret it! I strongly recommend it

Here's to many more Monday nights...

It was a fantastic evening for our volunteers as we made the most of the lighter nights. Heetu and Liam kicked things off with a steady run from Lark Lane at 6:00 PM, meeting Sallyann and Aatefa at the Suitcases for a warm up, before heading to the Catholic Cathedral. The group was in high spirits as we tackled some extra inclines on the steps to help Heetu stay on track for her March elevation target on Strava of 2,000 metres.

Once we reached Everton Park, we were joined by Naser and our task leader, John, to get stuck into the evening's work. We split into two teams to cover more ground: Heetu and Aatefa turned into litter-picking machines to tidy litter from the park, while Naser, Liam, and Sallyann focused on clearing saplings from a grassy knoll to ensure park users can enjoy the views once the sun finally comes out!

The saplings put up a bit of a fight, but the team’s hard work paid off. By the end of the session, the bank was significantly cleared and the branches neatly piled up. Heetu even managed to stay focused enough to nearly get lost in her litter-picking mission!

The run back offered a lovely view of the city centre skyline all lit up against the dusk. We looped back around the cathedral to return to our starting point, finishing the evening on a high note. Best of all, thanks to those extra inclines, Heetu successfully reached her 2,000 metre vertical target with a day to spare!

As Sallyann noted, the smaller group didn't mean less chat. On the contrary, we were all able to catch up together and enjoy each other's company. Have a lovely Easter break everyone and see you all at the next task!

Spring has finally sprung! Which means only one thing here at GoodGym Liverpool.... we are back at Everton Park! And finally a task which could only have been done in the dark.

The 9 of us met John from Friends of Everton Park at the view point where we were briefed on the task. Our misson? To find every street lamp that wasn't working and make a note of the (often elusive) number. When describing the task John had to take us to no less than three different street lamps before finding one that had a clear number, so we knew this would not be a task for the faint-hearted.

We split into 3 groups and off we went into the night to discover a surprisingly large number of broken street lamps. Thanks to our hard work, the council will now know exactly which lamps will need fixing- well done everybody!

To end the night John treated us to a few historical facts about the park and a rather spectacular view over the city. All in all, a Monday well spent and the perfect night to officially welcome Clara to task force. So glad to have you on board!