Brave New Worlds

Ten smiling faces this week ventured into unexplored territory in Clapton as The Huddleston Centre got a long awaited sprinkling of Good Gym magic.

Recent tasks have been predominantly local, like really local, to the GG Hackney base of operations which has resulted in attendees being subjected to regular intensive leg blastings (squats, lunges, etc) on London Fields. Thankfully the Huddleston centre is a perfect 1.5 mile ‘warm up’ in itself which meant only the one quick round of walking lunges and squats had to be endured this week.

On arrival, our host Cassandra welcomed us with a tour of the centre which is housed in a beautiful sprawling old church, fully kitted out with sensory play, soft play, loads of other kinds of play, lift access and, to top it off, an amazing super-fun-play area filling the atrium-like top floor with pool tables, air hockey and more. In their own words, "The Huddleston Centre aims to enable disabled people and their families to take maximum control of their own lives and play a full and active role in all aspects of the community." Find out more at the Huddleston Center website.

Don’t get a stick up yer bum!

After some creative distribution of a light haul of tools and equipment we se to work tidying up the rather overgrown garden at the front of the centre. Some ruthless thorny bushes didn’t stand a chance amongst encouraging cries of “don’t get a stick up yer bum!” and before you could say “mines a Vimto” we were admiring our work and sipping on well earned cups of squash.

A good pace got us back to base in just the right amount of time for a quick warm down and off home for tea. I’m sure we’ll be returning to the Huddleston Centre soon - we do love a task with refreshments.