It's been a long time since we've been able to have a face to face session with older people, in fact the last time we were was on our last Group Run before Covert (think Covid in a Norfolk accent), which was when we last visited Violet Elvin Court.

Congratulations to Andrew who was completing his 10th good deed!.

Everyone loves a game of Bingo right? After a 2.75km jog, we arrived to meet some of the residents in their communal lounge. Myself and Ian shared the ball calling duties. Did you know 14 is 'hi' backwards? At least I found that highly amusing!

We managed to complete 4 games of Bingo, with Robert and Jen the only victorious GoodGymmers.

A truly pleasant evening and reminder of what amazing tasks what we do.

Katy and Bill came up with the great idea of sending a postcard to all of the older people's homes that we've visited with GoodGym Norwich.

We worked out there were 10 altogether so the following all had a personal postcard/letter of love and good will sent to them on behalf of GoodGym Norwich.

• Redmayne View - Katy
• Bowthorpe Care Village - Bill
• Sydney House - Mel
• Springdale - Jennifer
• Hayden Court - Catherine
• Barley Court - Cheska
• Marion Road Day Centre - Bobby
• Ellacombe - Hayley
• Green Lane View - Hitch and Emma
• Violet Elvin Court - Paul

A little note from Paul's postcard below:

I sent a card to the staff and residents at a care home where we've been several times before. I was there a few weeks ago and won a box of chocolates in a game of bingo! The ladies there like a good time hence the card Party, Party, Party!

34 was the number of GoodGymers who turned out tonight.

50 is the number of good deeds that Elliott has now completed.

Tonight's task was a game of Bingo with residents at Violet Elvin Court. Luckily they had an electronic machine so there was no chance of me dropping my balls everywhere this week :-I

We welcomed Phongloet to his first GoodGym encounter, another recruit from Ana's language school, which is great to see.

The task was around 3km each-way and Bill kindly volunteered as back runner. we arrived just before the rain started.

We had a few games of Bingo with the residents, GoodGym were taking the early honours with Elizabeth, Paul, Sultan and Mark amongst the winners (there was one other from GoodGym but I can't remember who!). Luckily for the tenants they finished the evening with two of them claiming the full house in the final game.

Sadly we had to head back and sadly it was raining rather hard the whole way back!

Next week we're doing a Litter Pick around Norwich.

I'd been looking forward to this evening's task for a while now, providing company and laughter on a larger scale to older people.

With it being another wet and dark evening, these are the times when it's easy to feel lonely and isolated so it felt extra special to organise this evening :-)

Niki was taking part in her 1st GoodGym venture so a big welcome!

Kevin kindly volunteered to be backrunner with Mel on photographer duties.

We set off on the 2.75km each way route and when we arrived, the residents were waiting for us in the communal lounger. The GoodGymers spread themselves out amongst the residents and after a few minutes chatting we went into the 1st game of BINGO with the legendary BINGO caller (me) at the helm, although the residents quickly pulled me up on my lack of BINGO knowledge!

The residents were confident and wanted to play for money... shame we didn't as Janice was victorious in the 1st game.

We had some refreshments and more chat before another game of BINGO, which this time Angela won... a clean sweep for GoodGym!

At this point some were regretting downing a can of Fanta and crisps before the run back haha.

After saying our goodbyes it was time to head back, a shame we weren't able to stay for longer but we shall visit them again!

Next week we have a similar task as we visit Redmayne View, which is a longer 11km run in total.

Tonight we had a fancy dress Halloween run.

I think it's still up for debate (myself included) as to what on earth I was supposed to be dressed up as. In my defence I had some 'fang issues' so had to think of a quick amendment to what could go with my red cape.

Hats off to Simon's skeleton outfit... I was concerned as I'd programmed some squats and lunges into the warm up.

Great to see 22 volunteers make it out tonight and thanks to Dan for being back runner (in his self-made leaf costume).

There's something about dressing up that makes me feel like a kid... I just wanted to keep scaring any passes by the whole way to the task.

Speaking of which, tonight's task was to clear leaves at a local Sheltered Housing Scheme. It's a place that I deliver activity sessions at on Monday afternoons and one of the residents is 105 years old and she participates in the Seated Exercise session every week.

Upon arrival I directed everyone to different parts with a bin bag and off they went to collect an exceptional amount of fallen leaves.

It was something a little different for us to do but as per usual, the GoodGym-ers got stuck straight in.

There were a couple of bungalows that had lots of gnomes outside of them... now when you're a clumsy oath like myself and there are lots of leaves around them it's quite easy to trod over them... twice.

Bill then suddenly looked like something from a horror film with his white sheet with a red light underneath (check out the photo).

After 30 minutes we regrouped and got ready to set off back to The Forum, where there were some Halloween goodies awaiting courtesy of myself and Catherine.

The residents at Violet Elvin Court will be very grateful for the hard work put in and it'll also reduce the risk of them slipping on them.

While we were stretching at the end of the session, Simon talked about his first Coach Run he did on Wednesday, our first pairing in Norwich. Remember to bring your DBS docs for me to check before or after any Group runs.

Next week we are moving furniture and some other bits at The Marlpit .

Happy Halloween.