The weather looked like it was threatening to rain as Liam and Vikky met at the Hope Street suitcases, but luckily the downpour held off. ensuring they didn't bother arrive drenched following their run to the task.

Upon arrival, the team grew to seven strong as they met Bekah, Sallyann, Miriam, Dike and Laura. Armed with tools and ready to roll, the group got straight to work tackling the out of control weeds in both the front car park and along the driveway running down the side of the building.

It was no easy task, with one particular section requiring all of our weed destroying skills. Through great teamwork however, every single overgrown patch was defeated. By the time the session wrapped up, the green bin was overflowing with weeds, leaving the area looking neat, tidy, and welcoming.

A lovely task to start the week, swift run, great company, and a very satisfying result for a hugely important local charity!

When I first arrived at Mr W’s I was struck by what a lovely family home they have, grandchildren playing, it was clear why this outdoor space is so important to them. They showed me what needed to be done, a raised bed with dead shrubs that needed a tidy up. I set to work with my trowel and secateurs but they were not right for the job. Mr W’s grandson came and offered me a large garden fork that I’d be able to get more leverage with. It was perfect for the job and very satisfying. Sinking into the soil and hearing the crack of the roots as I lifted each shrub out. I filled three bin bags with the shrubs, old leaves and twigs from the beds and a few cuttings from the bushes in the main part of the garden. There was a glorious rose bush that had sprouted a few thorny branches which I cut back so that the main garden was safe for the grandchildren to play. It was a very hot afternoon. I’d bought suncream and water which was needed in the burning heat. Mrs W said she was very happy with what was done.

Clara and I arrived at Mrs E’s and she excitedly showed us all that needed to be done. She showed us which plants were weeds and which ones were intentional which we were very relieved about as both of us struggle to tell the difference! There was a patch of grass that looked like overgrown lawn and Mrs E said that this was actually a flower bed and we needed to strip the grass out. She had lots of tools and very helpfully kneeling mats for us to use. We started at the front and worked our way back. I tackled one side while Clara tackled the other. It was one of those tasks where we didn’t know where to stop. So, we stopped when the green bin was full and when we had exposed all the borders that had been hidden under the undergrowth. Luckily we took before and after pictures so we could see what a difference we had made. We pruned the lilac tree and also carefully weeded around the geraniums which we were instructed to keep in tact. During the task we talked about the film Mamma Mia and this started an earworm of ‘Slipping through my fingers’ which we felt could work as a pun because the grass and weeds had been slipping through our fingers too. Slipping through our fingers until we got a grip on them and tugged them out. We swept the path and asked Mrs E to come and inspect. She seemed very pleased about the transformation. She said that it was a great start that would help her to get out and maintain it. This was just the front garden… Mrs E told us about was needed in the back too so we suggested that might be another visit.

I walked to Mr K’s house, it only took half an hour. When I arrived it was clear to see what needed to be done. The path way was swamped by an invasive buddleja bush or butterfly bush as they are also known. The kind that gets planted by bird’s droppings and tries to take over the whole space. I set to work hacking it back. I also cleared brambles and weeds from the side path. Mr K’s social worker arrived and she was impressed by what I had already achieved. She went in to see Mr K and when she came back out the buddleja was gone. She was really kind about goodgym. When I said I admired the work that social workers do she said that services like goodgym are a massive help to her work. I kept weeding and tidying and the front space looked transformed. Mr K was very happy.