12 Goodgym folks headed to Cwtch together to take on the latest Tuesday task(s). We split up to cover the different tasks - Jonathan, Flo, Emily, Flo, and Kerry worked inside on bleaching the hall floor. Don't worrry baby, it looked prestine by the time it was done.

God only knows why but Darren was allowed to sand down the door to try and make it open easier. He was giving off some dust and a lot of good vibrations.

The rest of the team weren't surfin' USA, they were busy outside clearing the driveway of weeds and clutter. Wouldn't it be nice if weeds didn't exist!

Goodgym really get around...... after team photo it was time to run back to the Glassworks for a games night, where we all had Fun Fun Fun.

Happy January

Our second group task and a litter pick back on the cards. Unfortunately, we had some last minute moves this week. But January is the month of the litter pick in Cardiff, with our traditional litter pick relay taking place every year where we pick everyday of the month.

Our route tonight took us to the back of the train station,.... Fancy. And then, over the industrial area and to the embankment again.

On the way we had an explosion of coffee from Emma "the gripper" Wilkins and found several strange items, including a bike seat. And it just got stranger as we hit the embankment, and we found lettuce, cabbage, and for the fancy.. Romaine lettuce. As we questioned why they were there, and in such large quantities, we also spotted the parsnips from last week! This is a strange dinner.

There are Swans around the area, although tonight they were all hidden and huddled under the bridge.

But Michael stated "Swans don’t eat parsnips, nor do rats" the title of his new book available soon on download ONLY. 🤣 And please don't write in.... Yes rats can eat parsnips.

As we discussed the the cold, and why wouldn't we? The use of the word nip came up... What a strange word it is.

LEARNING CORNER

Nippy When it comes to the British synonyms for cold, ‘nippy’ is a very popular term.

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points : pinch, bite "the dog nipped his ankle"

Noun (1)

1549, something that nips: such as

a archaic : a sharp biting comment b: a sharp stinging cold c: a biting or pungent flavor : tang

But let's end on an additional learning note.... Ducks prefer romaine lettuce..

A celebration of an evening, we say farewell to November group runs, we finish our Christmas Cards for Care Homes, look forward to our games evening after the task and say a festive

Congratulations on your 50th Deed

to our Dylan, welcome to the Black t-shirt club.

The run wasn't as cold this evening as it has been recently, a nice change for us. The task was back in the great office space of Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru. The last selection of cards were put out, there were some charity cards still to fill out and a few plain for those crafty ones in the group. Michael put out quite an array of craft supplies, coloured metallic pens, markers, glue, glitter (edible) and lots and lots of seasonal stamps.

We welcomed back to the group for their second task Rachel, thanks for coming back.

The countdown began, along with the Christmas music - which tonight was a selection from the 80s...including the very festive 'Grandma got run over by a reindeer'. We also welcomed back an original member with their newest addition, Lucy and baby Eliza (our future goodgymer).

As the time passed and we came to the end of the task, we counted the cards and had managed 50 tonight, it was as if the 50th celebrations were meant to be. Our total card count for all of the tasks is an impressive 200, plenty to get mailing to a selection of care homes.

Now we celebrate for the evening with a selection of games and a nice social, thanks all for the festive crafting.

Join us next week, we only have 2 group activities in December so lets make the most of them.

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

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.