Doddington community hub has funding to create a new space for local people but first they needed to shift loads of stuff - including a LOT of flooring. Paul, Janice and Ana got cracking with the job, and also helped move some other bits and pieces up to the garden. As well as being helpful we bagged ourselves a very effective upper body workout!

With love in the air, we kicked off the run last night naming one thing we care about - and they included our Mums, family, friends, running, trees, chocolate and football. Happy Valentine's Day one and all! We were keen to spread the love in our community, but there was a last minute change of plan.

Instead of the previously scheduled litter pick in the area, we responded to an urgent call from Hadas who asked us to come to the Waste Not Want Not charity to help move all the food collected for the community into storage so that they can get some major works done.

This organisation saves food that would be otherwise wasted and uses it to feed the community. They have big plans to turn the hub into a dining area, with space to store more goods, and facilities for vulnerable people including a shower for those struggling with homelessness.

Our job was to load up the van so we got stuck in straight away. While the team inside packed up all sorts of weird and wonderful things including barberries, masses of anchovies, an innumerable number of beans and vats of pesto...some of which may have ended up meeting a bit of a sticky end on the floor. Meanwhile the van team were doing an amazing job getting the van stacked up with as much stuff as could feasibly be made to fit in the most efficient way possible.

Our last task was to dismantle the shelving units - something which looked a lot easier than it was! But with a bit of elbow grease, some team work, lots of ingenuity and the use of a hammer, they were soon down and ready to be packed. What a job team - well done to all of you! It's just incredible to see the impact many pairs of hands working together can have in just one short window of time.

We finished off the night with a little fitness session which featured three minute mountain legs. We spotted some snowdrops (spring is coming!) and then made for base to do our stretches.

Next week we're back to Doddington Roof garden to help sand down and paint benches - you can sign up here.

Until then, have a great week GoodGym!

It's been a complete cracker of a year at GoodGym Wandsworth, and last night we saw out 2022 with a magical Christmas task.

We started off the evening with a warm up and a chat about what we dream of finding under the tree on Christmas morning. Masses of chocolate, flights, a house, a dog - hopefully you all get spoiled this year with that lot! After some festive snowfall the night before, we were very careful with our warm up and run down, taking it slowly to avoid the ice.

Providence House is a youth centre and community organisation that aims to bring local people together and give them opportunities, and we were met by director Esther. She had set up a series of tables with all manner of fun materials, including pens, stickers, stencils and glitter. Our job for the evening was to write cards to be included in loads of goodie bags that were being sent out to vulnerable people.

Fueled by some amazing baked goods from Kelly and Lorna and a whole load of chocolate we got stuck in and soon the creativity was flowing, helped along by the Christmas songs in the background. A warm inside task and no fitness session because of the weather? A Christmas miracle!

Before too long we had created 40 cards complete with uplifting messages to make somebody feel good this Christmas. We got stuffing them into the bags and had a quick tidy up. Great job Christmas elves!

It was then time for the Christmas social so with yet more cake we headed off to a local pub for the Great GoodGym Wandsworth Quiz of the Year. It was a trip down memory lane for us all, but it was Team Triangle of Sadness that came out Victorious with an honourable mention for GoodGym Made Me Do It for best team name!

It's been a fantastic year of doing good across Wandsworth and brilliant to welcome some new faces. Here's to another year of making a difference in the community and a HUGE THANK YOU to you all for everything you do.

There is loads going on over the Christmas period, including helping prep Christmas lunch, making deliveries, and helping host Christmas day at Battersea Arts Centre. Our first group run back of the year is on Monday 9th January - hope to see you there!

Have a very well earned rest and happy festivities to you all!

A bunch of GGers met at Craft Metropolis in Brixton to catch up on life over drinks 🍻

On a Monday night, after work five GoodGymers arrived at GROAD's unofficial HQ, St Faith's Community Centre to sort out and pack bags for the rough sleepers. Every last Tuesday of the month (apart from December), Andrea brings the GROAD van to the Strand to hand out these packed bags.

The team including newbie, Katie managed to pack 26 bags as well as sort out big bags of sleeping bags, shoes and blankets.

They even packed the van and filled it with the toys going to the local schools.

All in all, great power hour of doing good - welcome again, Katie!