Sunshine set the tone for our monthly visit to help with gardening at the Community Hospice.

Jason, the Head Gardener, greeted us with his usual sunny welcome, and asked us clear weeds and moss from the paved drive and pathway leading to the reception. This would make the approach to the Hospice look nicer for everyone.

Robert, arriving by bike, had had to dodge some brambles and plants encroaching on the drive: could he grab some loppers and tackle those instead? Jason's response was an enthusiastic “Yes please!”.

Collecting tools from the shed took us through the gardens which are looking amazing - bright flowers and fresh greenery glowing in the warm light.

It's fair to say this wasn't a glamorous task but it was a good workout thanks to all that squatting and sweeping, and at the same time rather relaxing and chatting all the while.

Topics included the London Marathon (Kam is keen to run it if he can ever get a place, and Sarah and Johnny are volunteering at it tomorrow!), Jason's impressive plans for the 666 Film Challenge next month, and the orgins of our first names ( 'lady/princess', 'God is gracious', plentitude of religion', 'bright fame' and 'healer').

As always when you are busy and in good company, time flew by!

After putting the tools away Kam headed off and the rest of us went to enjoy a tasty lunch in the Hospice canteen.

We'll be back again next month, and Jason always has something different lined up. Come along and help make a difference for this wonderful charity.

They say the sequel is never as good as the original, well we disagree.

Back for round two of our leafletting mission for the upcoming mini kids marathon in support of the Community Hospice, we returned to the streets of Welling and the scenic surroundings of Danson Park.

We were cheered on by a number of feline friends - every road seemed to come with its own supervisory cat or two, perching on fences, or patrolling pavements. Whether they were approving of our efforts or just hoping to be petted remains unclear.

The task was simple, cover as much ground as possible, spread the word, and get those steps in. With each leaflet delivered, we’re hoping to boost turnout for a fantastic cause, supporting the brilliant work of the Hospice.

Of course, it wouldn’t be GoodGym without the fitness element. Between brisk walking, tactical route planning, and the occasional “have we already done this house?” moment, it all added up to a solid workout in aid of a good cause.

Same task, similar area, but the question on everyone’s lips, could this sequel turn into a trilogy?

Our first evening task since the clocks changed, and it felt like a real treat to start in daylight!

Five of us set off in Welling for a spot of letterbox leafleting to promote the Community Hospice's Mini Marathon, a major fundraising event for them.

Splitting into two teams we covered both sides of the roads in parallel, and posted a stack of leaflets between us. Let's hope they result in some bookings.

By the end, we’d clocked just over 3km between us each. Not bad for an evening’s walk with a purpose.

We'll be doing the,same again next week, but in Bexleyheath. Join us if you can - we'd love to have you along.

Screenplay for a morning of GoodGym volunteering at the Community Hospice...

FADE IN

A quiet, peaceful garden. Birds chirp. A gentle breeze rustles leaves. Sun is shining.

A series of planters in front of the building, overlooked by windows from one of the wards. While the rest of the planters have plants and flowers, one is just full of soil.

A group of eight GoodGymers enters the frame, with Jason, Head Gardener. Chatting and laughing.

On their first ever task Debby and Chris are settling right in.

CLOSE UP

Gloved hands grabbing shovels.

PAN OUT

Rhythmic shovelling. Soil is emptied from the planter into big bags.

A white layer of polystyrene is revealed beneath the soil. Shovelling becomes careful, considered so as not to break its surface and release the white beads.

Careful hands lift the thick polystyrene sheets out and take it to the bins.

Scissors slice through a sheet of weed membrane, shaping it to line the planter.

The original soil is shovelled back into the planter.

TIME LAPSE SEQUENCE

A chain gang forms:

• One group shovels fresh soil into trugs

• Another ferries them in wheelbarrows

• Another tips soil into the planter

• Hands press down to compact the surface.

• The barrows return.

Repeated until the planter is completely filled.

Teamwork in action. Effort. Energy. Chatting. Laughter.

PAN OUT

The team steps back.

The planter is restored, renewed. Ready for new blooms.

CUT TO GROUP SHOT

Smiling faces. Job done.

TITLE CARD:

2026: A SPADE ODYSSEY

SUBTITLE:

GoodGym will return

END

What a buzzing morning at the Community Hospice today, and a warm welcome to Mo for her very first GG task!

Head Gardener Jason kicked things off by showing us the peonies we planted last month. They’re looking strong and healthy; here’s hoping for blooms later this year.

Our main mission was a satisfying round of ‘chop and drop’, cutting back tired growth to make way for fresh spring shoots. Instead of letting the trimmings break down where they fell, we raked and gathered them up and added them to the compost heap elsewhere in the garden.

We also tackled two stubborn rose bushes and a couple of thorny brambles. Deep roots and all, they didn’t give up easily, but neither did we!

With tools put away, flower beds ready to spring into new life and all of us feeling that warm glow that follows hard work in good company we wrapped up with a few team photos, attempting to capture the energy of the morning. Let’s just say our synchronised jump shots need a little work… check out our social media feeds to see the results!

Despite the very British weather 🌧, we kept calm and carried on with tonight’s task. Determined to do our bit to support The Community Hospice, we headed out to spread the word about their upcoming fundraisers, particularly the ever popular Boogie Wonderland party night. 🕺💃

With leaflets and good spirits, we covered an impressive 7km, making sure residents know how they can get involved and support the Hospice’s vital work.

Time really does fly when you’re having fun, and when we checked our watches, we’d been out closer to two hours than the initially planned one.

Chatting as we went, we covered everything from sushi to science, from I.T. to Italy.

The Community Hospice provides specialist care for people living with life-limiting or terminal illnesses, helping them achieve the best possible quality of life. It’s impossible to know how much our leafletting will help them raise, but we can feel proud knowing we’ve supported such a worthy cause, all while getting our steps in and having a great time.