Welcome to Robert for your first GoodGym Manchester session 👏 Great to meet you.

This evening was a bit different. After being approached by Natalie Kate Moss Trust, a charity raising funds and awareness for the treatment and prevention of brain haemorrhages, we combined GoodGym with their Brain Gym resources to get us thinking about our brain health and lifestyle. As part of that, we covered ~4.5 km from St Peter's Square around via Hulme, University of Manchester, Ardwick, and circling back to Sandbar. The combination of a brisk jog and social interaction both forming a significant aspect of the Brain Gym suggestions 🧠

We had bumper numbers this evening, with Scott fresh from a speedy Media City Half Marathon, Hazel joining from Stockport, Peter back from Sri Lanka, Tanoshi and Fanette joining for their 1st Monday night group run, Robert, a journeyman of Bath and Merton GoodGym groups, and regulars Sam and Ben.

We self-quizzed ourselves on the Brain Gym recommendations, including taking small steps, keeping a record or journal, having a support network, "colouring our plate" for food, and keeping a good sleeping routine. All this while enjoying refreshments and tasty pizza at Sandbar (some were more colourful than others) and discussing a potential Mam Tor litter pick in the spring... watch this space 💪

What an eventful night!

Nine volunteers managed to gather to support the newspaper distribution for Post Community News —seven fully signed‑up GoodGymers, one accidental (borderline ambushed) recruit, and one enthusiastic joiner. A warm welcome to Emily, who survived—sorry, enjoyed—her very first on‑the‑day session! 😄🎉

Things kicked off with the traditional folding of 300 Stockport Post newspapers at the backyard picnic table. But the rain clearly felt left out and decided to RSVP “YES” at the last minute… so everything was swiftly relocated indoors. The living room suddenly transformed into a cosy gossip-and-fold HQ, perfect for spilling tea in both the literal and dramatic sense. Just when the plot needed thickening, Meera arrived fashionably late (she got lost) wielding news so explosive it could have competed with the Post’s front page. Honestly, it felt like a mini‑reunion! 🥰🎉

With more volunteers than usual (and a weather system that clearly wanted a volunteering badge), the team put on their strategic hats to plan the house‑to‑house distribution with military precision—no duplicate deliveries on our watch! Group 1, Kirsty, Jamie, Mandy, and Ben tackled the A6 side of the neighbourhood. Group 2 - Emily, Mithra, Meera, Laura, and Hazel - swept across the Shaw Heath side. The rain insisted on joining every step of the route, leaving everyone soaked, soggy, and slightly pruney… but undeniably happy little kittens.

A chaotic, rainy, tea‑filled, productive GoodGym session—just the way we like it. 🌧️💪😄