Today’s GoodGym good deed with Bookbike homeless outreach.

Emma, my fellow parkrunner, and her husband arrived with bags full of winter wear and today was a great day to start sharing.

Winter can be devastating for people sleeping rough: temperatures drop sharply, dampness seeps into clothes and bedding, and the risks of hypothermia, respiratory illness and isolation increase dramatically. Even small items like gloves, socks or a thermos can make the difference between coping and crisis. Being able to start distributing this generous donation today meant immediate comfort for people who often feel forgotten.

Alongside the clothing shared was the usual selection of books and a brand new addition: sketchpads for doodling and drawing. Books offer homeless people entertainment; they bring moments of calm, dignity and mental escape. Stories can offer hope, distraction and emotional grounding.

Non fiction can help build skills and confidence. Sketchpads add a creative outlet that doesn’t demand anything; just space for expression, identity and imagination.

For someone facing daily instability, creativity can offer a rare sense of peace.

Today also included a second outing: a visit to the Barking River Guardians volunteer day at Highbridge Road, where Noel, another parkrun pal and local residents gathered to begin shaping a new community garden. From shifting soil to removing dead trees, the energy was warm and determined. It was a reminder that small, local actions stitch communities together just as much as the big ones.

Bookbike remains a vital community asset because it brings people, compassion, conversation and practical help directly to where they’re needed - no barriers, no judgement, just care on two wheels.

#bookbikelondon #goodgym #homeless #homelesslondon #thewanderinglondoner

Emma, my fellow parkrunner, and her husband arrived with bags full of winter wear and today was a great day to start sharing.

Winter can be devastating for people sleeping rough: temperatures drop sharply, dampness seeps into clothes and bedding, and the risks of hypothermia, respiratory illness and isolation increase dramatically. Even small items like gloves, socks or a thermos can make the difference between coping and crisis. Being able to start distributing this generous donation today meant immediate comfort for people who often feel forgotten.

Alongside the clothing shared was the usual selection of books and a brand new addition: sketchpads for doodling and drawing.

Books offer homeless people entertainment; they bring moments of calm, dignity and mental escape. Stories can offer hope, distraction and emotional grounding.

Non fiction can help build skills or confidence. Sketchpads add a creative outlet that doesn’t demand anything; just space for expression, identity and imagination. For someone facing daily instability, creativity can offer a rare sense of peace.

Today also included a second outing: a visit to the Barking River Guardians volunteer day at Highbridge Road, where Noel, another parkrun pal and local residents gathered to begin shaping a new community garden. From shifting soil to removing dead trees, the energy was warm and determined. It was a reminder that small, local actions stitch communities together just as much as the big ones.

GoodGym missions exist exactly for that purpose: to help older residents, support charities and improve local spaces while keeping volunteers active and connected. They turn good intentions into real life support.

And Bookbike remains a vital community asset because it brings people, compassion, conversation and practical help directly to where they’re needed - no barriers, no judgement, just care on two wheels.

Thanks to our Area Activator Steven for setting up this opportunity.

#bookbikelondon #goodgym #homeless #homelesslondon #thewanderinglondoner

#faithfriday Movement is motion but also the way we turn care into change, one small action by one small action! #thewanderinglondoner

This morning in Bow was to run and restore, to bring energy, attention, and compassion to the streets we share. A pair of gloves and a litter picker were enough for the pavements and green corners of the Bromley by Bow Centre neighbourhood, collecting discarded cans, wrappers, and forgotten fragments of city life.

What might seem like a simple act - picking up litter, is, in truth, a powerful way of reclaiming space, both for our communities and for our mental wellbeing. Each piece of rubbish removed isn’t just a cleaner path for someone else; it’s a small gesture of respect, a reminder that the health of our environment and our minds are deeply connected.

Community litter has an unspoken weight. It quietly tells us that neglect is normal, that no one cares. But when we take time to clear it, that narrative changes. Clean streets encourage connection. Tidy parks invite play and conversation. Seeing others act reminds us that we’re not powerless, that we can be part of a living, breathing effort to make things better.

Volunteering with GoodGym offers that rare blend of movement and meaning. It transforms exercise from a solitary act into a shared purpose. For me, today’s litter pick wasn’t about improving Bow, it was about belonging and using physical action as a form of kindness. Every bag of rubbish is a small victory for hope, visibility, and the idea that consistent, modest actions really can ripple outward.

Through regular GoodGym missions, we learn that community change is about persistence. Week after week, we run, walk, or cycle towards small acts that collectively add up to something profound. Cleaner streets. Stronger ties. Happier hearts.

Because when we move with purpose, we remind ourselves and others that every step counts and that caring, in motion, is a force of real transformation.

#goodgym #dogood #litterheroes #thewanderinglondoner

Bookbike pick up and drop offs this morning. Brian has been giving away books from his collection and today he reached the milestone of 800 books shared.

Brian's generosity has bought happiness, smiles and laughter yo so many people and from all walks of life

Our mission at Gale Street Organic Community Garden was one to remember.

The energy was uplifting, the teamwork inspiring, and the sense of purpose undeniable.

Having Ivo (GoodGym's CEO) join us brought an extra spark of motivation, while Harry stepped up effortlessly into the skipper’s role, guiding the group with calm confidence and enthusiasm.

With Peter and Virginia coming back for their second session ( 🎉 ), along with Irina and Emdad - our group of 6 GoodGymmers rolled up their sleeves: weeding stubborn patches, watering thirsty plants, clearing paths, filling the water tanks, and even a spot of litter picking to keep the garden looking its best. Every small action added up, leaving the space more welcoming for everyone who visits.

But GoodGym is never just about the tasks.

It’s about why we do what we do. GoodGym connects fitness with kindness, whilst turning energy into positive action for the community. By supporting places like Gale Street Community Garden, we’re caring for our shared spaces and plants; we’re cultivating wellbeing, unity, and a greener, brighter environment for all.

Community gardens are powerful spaces. They bring people together, offer fresh air, encourage sustainable habits, and provide a safe, shared place where friendships can grow alongside the flowers and vegetables. Supporting them means supporting healthier, more connected neighbourhoods. Volunteering adds so much more than physical results. It lifts spirits, strengthens mental health, builds awareness of the challenges around us, and nurtures a sense of responsibility. The feel good factor is undeniable; moving, sweating, and smiling together gives a boost no gym session could match.

A heartfelt thank you to Breda and Nassaba, as always, for guiding us every step of the way. Your encouragement keeps us going, and your presence reminds us of the power of community spirit.

Gale Street Organic Community Garden is proof that when people come together to give their time, even for an hour, change happens.

We left not just with dirt on our gloves, but with lighter hearts, stronger bonds, and the knowledge that together, we made a difference.

Our GoodGym Barking & Dagenham mission at Gale Street Community Garden was one to remember.

The energy was uplifting, the teamwork inspiring, and the sense of purpose undeniable.

Having Ivo join us brought an extra spark of motivation, while Harry stepped up effortlessly into the skipper’s role, guiding the group with calm confidence and enthusiasm.

Together, we rolled up our sleeves for some much needed tasks: weeding stubborn patches, watering thirsty plants, clearing paths, filling the water tanks, and even a spot of litter picking to keep the garden looking its best. Every small action added up, leaving the space more welcoming for everyone who visits.

But GoodGym is never just about the tasks. It’s about why we do what we do. GoodGym connects fitness with kindness, whilst turning energy into positive action for the community. By supporting places like Gale Street Community Garden, we’re caring for our shared spaces and plants; we’re cultivating wellbeing, unity, and a greener, brighter environment for all.

Community gardens are powerful spaces. They bring people together, offer fresh air, encourage sustainable habits, and provide a safe, shared place where friendships can grow alongside the flowers and vegetables. Supporting them means supporting healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.

Volunteering adds so much more than physical results. It lifts spirits, strengthens mental health, builds awareness of the challenges around us, and nurtures a sense of responsibility. The feel good factor is undeniable; moving, sweating, and smiling together gives a boost no gym session could match.

A heartfelt thank you to Breda and Nassaba, as always, for guiding us every step of the way. Your encouragement keeps us going, and your presence reminds us of the power of community spirit.

Gale Street Community Garden is proof that when people come together to give their time, even for an hour, change happens.

We left not just with dirt on our gloves, but with lighter hearts, stronger bonds, and the knowledge that together, we made a difference.

#goodgym #goodgymbd #thewanderinglondoner

Our GoodGym Barking & Dagenham mission at Gale Street Community Garden was one to remember.

The energy was uplifting, the teamwork inspiring, and the sense of purpose undeniable.

Having Ivo join us brought an extra spark of motivation, while Harry stepped up effortlessly into the skipper’s role, guiding the group with calm confidence and enthusiasm.

Together, we rolled up our sleeves for some much needed tasks: weeding stubborn patches, watering thirsty plants, clearing paths, filling the water tanks, and even a spot of litter picking to keep the garden looking its best. Every small action added up, leaving the space more welcoming for everyone who visits.

But GoodGym is never just about the tasks. It’s about why we do what we do. GoodGym connects fitness with kindness, whilst turning energy into positive action for the community. By supporting places like Gale Street Community Garden, we’re caring for our shared spaces and plants; we’re cultivating wellbeing, unity, and a greener, brighter environment for all.

Community gardens are powerful spaces. They bring people together, offer fresh air, encourage sustainable habits, and provide a safe, shared place where friendships can grow alongside the flowers and vegetables. Supporting them means supporting healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.

Volunteering adds so much more than physical results. It lifts spirits, strengthens mental health, builds awareness of the challenges around us, and nurtures a sense of responsibility. The feel good factor is undeniable; moving, sweating, and smiling together gives a boost no gym session could match.

A heartfelt thank you to Breda and Nassaba, as always, for guiding us every step of the way. Your encouragement keeps us going, and your presence reminds us of the power of community spirit.

Gale Street Community Garden is proof that when people come together to give their time, even for an hour, change happens.

We left not just with dirt on our gloves, but with lighter hearts, stronger bonds, and the knowledge that together, we made a difference.

#goodgym #goodgymbd #thewanderinglondoner