Muske-TEAR-ing it up with Goodgym Brent

All for one and one for all

Standing alone in the doorway I was positive I would be alone on this cold, wet and windy night. The troops were thin on the ground and who could blame them. As I watched another brutal downfall splatter the concrete outside, the clock ticked by, closer to task time..... I might be putting in a solo mission at this rate. But wait what's this..... do my eyes deceive me? Like a light in the dark, my knights in shining armour (reflective rain jackets) suddenly appear in the doorway, Adam and Irwin horrahhhhhhh I was overjoyed!!!

The Three Musketeers ready to go

We race out the door, hot footing it to our destination in record time. Bobbing, weaving, hopping, leaping. Puddles, people, cobbles, roots. The obstacles were fierce but no match for the Musketeers. All for one and one for all!!

A very swift 15minutes later, we made it to the task. Ashford Place, a fantastic facility in the community of Brent. It provides a hot meal, shelter and a great deal of practical support to homeless people in the borough. London's first 24hour facility and much needed pillar of support in the community. One particular challenge that they do face however is dealing with the issues of isolation and loneliness that so many homeless people face in there every day lives.

Isolation is real and is apparent to us the minute we step inside. There are many people in the communal room, but no one is speaking and silence engulfs the space. GoodGym Brent..... We knew what we had to do.

Lets switch this up, change the vibe and lift this room. Lets get these people talking and moving, laughing and connecting and breaking into a sweat before we serve them their grub! That's the aim, Musketeers ready to rock.

Speakers on, requests are in and the Ludacris, Michael Jackson megamix begins the Monday madness. To the beat we shadow box, duck and weave, squat and jump, hop and run.... now breathe, take a sip & squat, jump, breathe, repeat.

After a few minutes gone, the room is buzzing and everyone is working, silence is lost in a buzz of laughter and wailing and sweating up a storm. We started with one tentative participant and end with a room full of bodies moving, shaking, jumping, flexing. The positive energy now so infectious, spreading fast as the minutes pass. 3 rounds down and the group is..... Done

A well deserved dinner is served and the Musketeers enjoy a sit down now and a chat with all of the participants as they refuel and relax after Muske-Tearing it up and having Squats of fun.

We sit and share and learn about the journeys that have brought them here today. Fascinating lives, beautiful souls, languages, talents, friendships, heartaches and passions. From raucous fun, to calm connections, we listen and learn and enjoy the company of our new friends.

Soon enough, plates are cleared, washed down and stacked and we say our adieus. We three french fancies head back out into the night, back to the base and another job Willes-DONE.

Thank you so much Adam and Irwin, without your positive vibes of awesomeness, tonight wouldn't have been so wonderful!!! Musketeer Monday DONE Until next time.......