As Diana Ross said,

We talk about love, love, love

Tonight was the final session for the paper-chain project by Christmas for CAMHS, and we saw a good 10 volunteers turn up to help out. And, we welcomed our newest member Rachel.

CROESO

We hit the streets for a jog to warm us up, we made our way to the SMART bridge in Cardiff where Michael took the group up the cycle part of the bridge on a wonderful spiral run up and then down the other side. We popped down the Bay, spotting Christmas trees as we went, before heading back to the task at the office for Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru, who had wonderfully allowed us to use their space. Thanks to Neda for staying in the space waiting for us all to arrive, this week we had some new wrapping paper to use for the project with a lovely Christmas feel to it, Michael played some tunes on the new goodgym Cardiff speaker and we all got very crafty.

Talk turned to next week's task, the last one for us writing cards for care homes, which will be followed by a games night in the Glassworks (our start location)....Fun Fun FUN
Thanks to all members that have come out for these tasks, they are a little bit different to the usual but will help to make a young person feel connected to the outside world and to not feel forgotten.

DIOLCH

Our continuation of crafty November as 12 goodgymers got together for some active fun and volunteer joy, how festive!

This was probably one of our coldest runs yet this year, and all but one of us was wrapped up nice and warm - Michael, but at least the goodgym top was on display! Once again the lovely people at Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru, who have allowed us to use their space for this task.

Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is there to promote and protect the physical and mental health of persons who have autism spectrum conditions through the provision of assistance , support, education and practical advice and to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to autism. The promotion of social inclusion among persons who have ASC. Thanks to Neda for arranging this for us and waiting around.

Time to hit the streets and warm those cockles with a run / walk and of course a good ol' chat. Plenty to catch up on as the plans turn to Xmas celebrations, present buying and the yearly ice skating outing.

Crafting A-Game

The tasks at hand this week,

• Use one of the charity cards and write a message to a resident, staff or both for a local care home.
• Get crafty, printing stamps to make it even more festive.
• Gel pens, coloured markers for those wanting to get their draw on.
• Go the EXTRA mile and make your card with the coloured blank cards.
• HAVE FUN

Everyone was laughing and joking once again, the tea was on the go and we changed our resident DJ to Emma as we agreed this week Xmas tunes were allowed.

Suddenly - Michael remembered the special addition for the crafting this week and pulled out of the magic running bag, edible spray glitter.

We were finished by 8pm, tidied up and went to continue the social, mostly covered in glitter.

join us next week as we complete our last task for Christmas for CAMHS - all materials will be provided again, before sending off the packs to Bath.

A mixed bag today, starting our Xmas tasks on Bonfire night. Our usual set up slightly changed as we went for a run first then headed to the office for Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru, who had wonderfully allowed us to use their space for this task. The task, was helping Christmas for CAMHS with their paper-chain project.

Christmas for CAMHS said -

Our paper chains are a team effort - they will be started by members of the public (like you!), and then the young people will connect them together when they arrive in the CAMHS units. Each paper chain will have a cheesy cracker joke written on the inside (we need you to do that bit too!) to add an extra bit of fun during assembly.

Paper chains, as well as being an awesome decorations that are suitable for most CAMHS units, symbolise connectedness. For young people in CAMHS units it’s really important to feel connected to the outside world and to not feel forgotten. Making these special paper chains, which will be a team effort between the community and the young people on CAMHS wards, is a real opportunity to provide a tangible reminder of that we are all still connected despite everything.

We went on a simple out and back for 40 minutes, we had runners, joggers and walkers all ready to get out and active. It's a great way to invigorate yourself during the darker evenings, and when it's followed by a great crafty session - well there's nothing better! We ended our run outside the office that was helping us this week with a space, Michael had already dropped off a few things earlier ready for the craftiness. Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is there to promote and protect the physical and mental health of persons who have autism spectrum conditions through the provision of assistance , support, education and practical advice and to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to autism. The promotion of social inclusion among persons who have ASC. Thanks to Neda for arranging this for us after a brief conversation on last weeks task. you are a STAR.

3, 2, 1 - let's get crafty

The tasks at hand,

• cutting the wrapping paper to the correct width using scissors
• use the paper guillotine and trimmers these pieces into strips
• write a joke on each strip, decorate with a drawing or two
• have fun!

Everyone was in great spirits tonight, laughing and joking whilst catching up with one another. Our resident DJ Darren started the tunes - with an instant NO from Michael at that Christmas song - far too early. Instead, we agreed on firework / bonfire related tunes.

We were finished by 8pm, tidied up and went to continue the social, join us next week as we start our cards for care homes task - you can write the cards or get crafty and make some if you want too - all materials will be provided again.

Our second week returning to St. Paul's Community Hall, how much of the railings can we complete this time, and with a bigger group?

Our numbers had doubled, but we were limited to paint holders..... We could also feel the light slipping from our fingers into darkness matching the paint in our pots.

Michael continued with “encouragement”, whether asked for or not.....

We’ve Got This

Everyone had their own way, Su, Darren and Julian working like the limbs of an octopus. Neda, Natasha and Adam getting down to work, taking it seriously...

It’s nice to paint something different>

Jonathan and Dylan the lyricist got to great work, they were our two pros from the week before, making easy work of the painting. And finally..... Our later arrival, Dylan the dabber!

We managed a good amount of painting, we even painted part of the floor! There was talk of holidays, music from our very own goodgym band, and the upcoming half marathon.

Go goodgym Go

The countdown began, was extended, and then some more. Until, the paint had been used from all our pots.

we’re not leaving until you’ve finished you’re pots>

As we headed back to the start location we agreed our plans for the cheer points for Sunday’s half marathon.

See you all on Sunday, and then next week (session here)

On an unexpected sunny evening we made our way to help Stargarallot, soon the light will be leaving us much earlier so lets enjoy it whilst we can. 3 goodgymers tonight, working like a group of 30.

Our tasks were, clearing as many raised beds as possible in out allotted time. Covering the soil with some donated cardboard to suppress any new growth, and feed the worms. Challenge accepted.

We got to work, Michael taking a few photos before getting gloved up and hands on also. We made our way through 3 beds, 3 wheelbarrows of waste to become compost, plenty of cardboard and many many smiles and fun.