We visit the Community Hospice once a month to support their head gardener, Jason, with gardening and general maintenance in the beautiful grounds. Today we were also joined by Denise, one of Jason’s dedicated midweek gardening volunteers.

After collecting tools from the shed, we got to work digging, planting and watering to settle five peony plants into their new home. With luck they'll bloom later in the year so we can enjoy the results of our work.

We moved on to some weeding, gently picking out the unloved plants without disturbing the soil too much.

Then we grabbed saws, loppers and secateurs to take out rampant lilac bushes and brambles in an area being prepared for future planting.

Before we knew it, our time was up. We returned the tools to the shed with the feeling of a great workout and an even better sense of achievement.

If you can spare a couple of hours on the fourth Saturday of the month, come and join us for an active session in great company. You’ll be helping to make a real difference while supporting a fantastic local charity.

Last month we cleared the contents from an art cupboard at Holy Trinity Lamorbey Primary School.

Tonight we were back with Jane, the vice principal, to dismantle the big shelving unit in the middle of the cupboard. Cue screwdrivers 🪛, saws🪚and hammers 🔨, and impressive team work in a confined space.

As the cupboard got emptier, the corridor outside got fuller with the demolition debris, so we found a trolley and did several trips to the skip in the car park.

Next door we took on the gentler task of tidying the computer room. With laptops, headphones and mice neatly organised it looked spick-and-span for classes to use tomorrow.

Cupboard swept, corridor cleared and computer room in order, we posed for a team photo and it was time to say goodbye to Jane and head home.

I'm constantly amazed by how much a posse of GoodGymers can get done in just an hour. And always with such good cheer and enthusiasm.

Looking forward to next month's visit to help tick off more tasks on the school's long to-do list .

GoodGymers Caroline and Simon were back at the Community Hospice warehouse today, for another session of donation-sorting.

Working their way through bag after bag of pre-loved items, they also took time to wrestle a soft-toy snake 🐍 and model some seasonal headgear! Simon even ended up buying the bobble hat in the photo!

If you'd like to help out at the Hospice, look out for new dates coming soon.

Last night we switched on our head torches and set forth with litter picks at Hurst Community Centre. Our wombling collected discarded sweet wrappers, cigarette butts, tissues, bottles, cans, a metal spoon, several plastic balls and more besides. Lots ticked off our litter picking bingo cards, but not quite a full house.

Forty-five minutes later ⏰️: three bags of litter properly disposed of, and a dumped Christmas tree 🎄 moved off the pavement!

Good deeding, with good company to boot... plenty enough to keep us warm on a chilly January night!

Next week it's something completely different at a local primary school. Come and lend a hand 💪.