Can we join forces with the Tidy Up Team of Brighton & Hove Council, and local community volunteers to make a difference? Yes, we can.

Can we support the Hanover & Elm Grove Community Forum, Hanover Action, and the Phoenix Estate in their weeding efforts? Yes, we can.

Can we help create cleaner, greener, and more welcoming streets for everyone to enjoy? Yes, we can.

Can we come together as neighbours, volunteers, and friends to strengthen our community spirit? Yes, we can.

Can we show that teamwork and care can transform our shared spaces? Yes, we can.

Can we show up energised and leave feeling satisfied ? Yes, we can

From the Austrian Alps to a GoodGym’s 'green community mission' in the lovely garden of roses in Vale Park, with a grand group: 15 GoodGymers – a great return to Good Gym-ing, yesterday!

Less great was the daily news: "One of the lions has passed", as Out of Africa movie’s co-star Meryl Streep said about Robert Redford, the "true Hollywood legend" actor, director, Sundance film festival founder and decades-long environmental activist, who passed away yesterday, aged 89.

This news might be relatively less touching for most of my fellow GoodGymers in Brighton, but your Area Activator, Stefania, has been hiding a secret love for Robert since its early teenager years, when she fell in love for the actor after watching “Out of Africa”, considered by my mum as my first adult cinema experience. It was love at first sight, on-screen! When I turned 40, I also received a massive bouquet of roses with a lovely message from Robert, via Interflora - it was actually a lovely gift from my friend Manuela 😊

Nevertheless, I like to dedicate our GoodGym green action of caring for Vale Park’s roses to my favourite actor, and secret love 😉. Here are some other tribute quotes: "He was a beautiful person in every way", “One of his kind”, "He championed progressive values like protecting the environment and access to the arts while creating opportunities for new generations of activists and filmmakers."

Robert was a hero for a lot of us. I will keep alive my long-lasting love and administration for such a trueful star believing that what counts is the story that we tell from our Good actions. Then, Let’s!

Welcome Paolo, Nathan, Susie to GoodGym Brighton, doing positive stuff for the environment ... a little bit like my Robert 😉

Disregarding downpours earlier in the day, an enthusiastic group of Goodgymers jogged to Moulsecoomb Primary to help out in the garden. Bypassing the historical huts constructed for pedagogical purposes, we headed to the veg patch and a collection of young trees at the back of the playground. Moulsecoomb Primary is well-known for its lush and variegated playground, and we do enjoy visiting periodically to help with weeding and general gardening.

Serenaded by the unexpected but welcome cries of a nearby urban chicken, we hacked at overgrown brambles, dug up weeds, and meticulously removed bindweed that was choking the baby trees. We were having so much fun we almost forgot to stop, but sadly the darkening sky warned us that it was time to be on our way.

Thanks team for a great task, and to Rosie for leading the first part of the run! We're looking forward to returning to more of our old haunts as we get into autumn 🍂

This week, 12 GoodGymmers made their way to One Church on Florence road, to help them clear space for a community compost to be installed. One Church Brighton is a broad and inclusive church, who do lots of different activities in and around Brighton, from worship to running community cafes, and putting on events.

6 of us braved the run up Ditchling Road, while others made their own way via bike or walking - all of us arriving to a warm welcome from out host (and very own GoodGymmer!) Michael, and Danny from local skincare company My Skin Feels - whose generous donations are funding the new composting site, which will be used by the local community.

After collecting some rather serious looking tools, we all got stuck in clearing an old flower bed and leveling the soil. Although our enthusiasm quickly waned as we discovered just how difficult removing a tree from the root is 😄. Liam, Euan and Frances did a fantastic job digging and sawing until eventually the bulk of the tree root gave way.

Whilst some of us were busy playing lumberjacks, others set about clearing the church walls and flowerbeds from weeds and litter, ensuring the space looked it's very best for the community who uses it.

A big welcome this week to two first timers to Brighton GoodGym, Jorge and Tristian. We hope you had fun and that we'll see you at another task soon :)