We returned to Full Cycle this evening for our group run to power through the remaining tasks on our to-do list - we have our own whiteboard of jobs these days! Of course, the team shifted into gear and wasted no time getting stuck into the usual recycling jobs: sorting cardboard, inner tubes, and tyres for collection.

Then some of us tackled the mountain of wheels, separating tyres from rims and reorganising the storage space to ensure we were using every bit of space efficiently, leaving things spoke and span.

It was a high-energy session of lifting, sorting, and shifting. Some areas of the workshop look some what transformed, so it was another productive night in the bag for GoodGym Kingston. Wheely well done team!

This afternoon, we were kept busy completing various tasks at The Hive. Firstly we cleaned a cupboard in The Honeypot of items, to go to other charities, which was then cleaned.

Next jobs, we split up into 2 teams. Rachel and Charlotte cleaned and tidied The Hive while myself and Sabir painted over the graffiti in the disabled toilet. After a welcomed cup of tea signs were put up on the door of The Hive.

Tonight was one of our biggest turn-out mission this month where 13 Goodgymers helped KVA’s (Kingston Voluntary Action) Surplus Hub with their task list. Immediately, the team busied themselves by splitting into two groups. The first group moved all the crates from the van to inside the hub, unpacked them, sorted out donations and put them into the appropriate crates so that these can be packed away in the storeroom.

The second group swept, mopped, cleaned and tidied up the two kitchen areas to make it more accessible for KVA’s volunteer team and clean from any future pests.

Welcome Laura, on your first task!

A big January Challenge squad was out on a chilly night as we headed back to the British Heart Foundation shop for some more window dressing. Emily, Clare, Dave, Anna, Luke, Susannah, Jonathan, Eleanor, Amy, Laurel, Tom, Marcos and Rachel were quickly called into action by fetching sporting and gym items from the cavernous storage areas upstairs to hopefully encourage buyers to start thinking about fitness and exercise.

We got there in the end, with particular aesthetic guidance from Susannah and a final inspirational touch from Marcos to hang badminton racquets from the ceiling.

It's always a really fun task with the BHF and this was no different. A bit cold for too much running, but extra kudos to those who did.

Full of Christmas spirit 6 GoodGymers were up bright and early to help at the pop up Christmas shop for clients of the Kingston Pantry.

GoodGym split themselves between being personal shoppers (Anna, Petra & Julie) and restocking the shelves (Dave, Julie, Saber & Claire) with wonderful gifts including Lego, toiletry sets, cool boxes, dolls, remote control cars and even robotic snakes!

Personal shopping allowed us to meet the clients and take them around the different sections where they could select a set number of gifts. As the gifts were snapped up the shelves were quickly restocked by the team.

Meanwhile Claire put together gift packages of toys, books and clothes for some very young children being looked after by another charity this Christmas.

The Pantry's clients were delighted with their selections as it meant they could provide gifts for their families this Christmas.

We supported KVA’s Surplus to Supper Hub, an initiative that redistributes over 5 tonnes of surplus food each week. Our team helped manage incoming stock by unloading the van and moving crates of fresh and dry goods into the pantry for sorting and storage. We also cleaned the inside of the shipping-container fridge and checked dates on frozen and dry food items to keep everything safe and organised.

In addition, we sorted donated non-food items, separating gift items, home-use items, cosmetic products and more into trays, to ensure everything was properly categorised.

Overall, we contributed to the Hub’s mission to reduce food waste and support local food security by completing a wide range of practical, hands-on tasks.

Afterwards, we rounded off the evening with a wonderful Christmas social at The Albion, enjoying time together and celebrating our teamwork and the festive spirit.

A big welcome to Esme on her first outing with GoodGym Kingston. Hope to see you at another task soon!

Today's task took us to Raleigh House for Stay Well New Malden a wonderful day centre supporting elderly people in the community. Our mission: tackle the mountain of leaves under the giant oak tree… without any rakes. Challenge accepted.

The dream team — Jana, Emily, Eleanor and Sabir arrived ready to take on whatever autumn could throw at us. With no rakes in sight, we got inventive: hands, shovels, scoops, teamwork, determination… you name it, we used it.

The oak tree clearly hadn’t read the memo, because it continued to drop leaves while we were clearing them. It was a bit of a leafy battlefield, but we kept at it and made solid progress.

Not stopping there, we also weeded the plants at the front entrance, clearing out the unwanted visitors and giving the space a much fresher look.

There were plenty of smiles exchanged, lots of teamwork, and a great sense of achievement by the end of our hour. Hopefully our efforts help brighten the surroundings for the Raleigh House community.

Unbe-leaf-able work, team! 🌿💪

It was a dark and chilly evening but that never stops GoodGym Kingston from showing up and getting the job done. Tonight's task we were at Elm Road playground with the task of digging/scraping/sweeping the borders of all weeds and mulch that has accumulated over the years.

As we were readying ourselves for the task we were joined by a local Community Support Officer from the Met Police - she had heard about our work in the area and had come to connect and give a helping hand. No arrests were made but the weeds were guilty of loitering and needed to be removed from the area.

Accompanied by a few local residents, we all donned head-torches and gloves, grabbed our tools of choice and set to it. The hour flew by and we had soon filled several bin bags full of the offending weeds and thick mulch. Amazing to see the difference our efforts made. Mission accomplished.