Five Goodgymers helped out at the Baby Bank this morning, including Winnie for whom this was her very first community mission, and Sue who was returning for her second. We all settled down to quality checking the clothes donations, with Winnie quickly learning the ropes. Great progress was made, but as ever, plenty of donations were still coming as we worked so there will still be plenty to do next week! Thanks to Winnie for adding these comments: The briefing was clearly given It's easy to get on and volunteers/staff from the organization are very friendly too. I am impressed with the organized systems to make sure the donated materials can be in use in a most decent, efficient and respectful way.

Overall, it is an enjoyable experience.

At the first GoodGym session at the Baby Bank, Karen and Sheila were delighted to be joined by Sue for her first mission. Sue quickly got to grips with how to sort the donated clothes, and which ones we can't use. Meanwhile, Karen and Sheila were carrying out secondary checks and storing the clothes away. As fast as we could sort, more and more donations were coming in. Everyone is obviously having a sort out after Christmas, and the Baby Bank will certainly put the donations to good use.

Was nice to see the amazing work this team are doing, hopefully helped a little too 🙂 Lovely to see Carol back from her travels and to welcome Shelley to her first Baby Bank mission. We certainly helped clear the decks ready for the next clothes-sorting session. A never-ending task!

Another busy morning sorting clothes at the Baby Bank. Sheila was doing a second check on clothes already checked once and putting them away in the boxes or overflow bags. Another 35 referrals came in during the morning and several pyjama appeal bags were given out. It's all go before Christmas!

The Baby Bank has put all clothes donations on hold while they process what they have and take stock of what they need. Some age ranges are overflowing whilst others are empty. The task for the 3 GoodGymers alongside other volunteers, was to speed-sort all the donations we had and to transfer them to the boxes so that Rebecca could create a list of what we need, and what we have plenty of.We were ruthless in our sorting, and by the end of the session had got through most of the backlog. Well done team!

Karen, Sheila K, Sheila A and Jane helped out at the Baby Bank on another busy morning. As we arrived, the facility was receiving a van-load of buggies which had been abandoned at the airport. Our task was to give them a clean and leave them to dry in the sun. We made short work of it and were rewarded with an indoor job, picking out new toys for 10 children to accompany their Christmas pyjama packs. Karen and Sheila K then earned massive numbers of Brownie points by between them making teas and coffees for the volunteers and doing the washing up afterwards. The remainder of the time was spent putting together clothes and toys for specific referrals. A very productive morning!