It was yesterday evening. I made tea. I sat on my bed. I opened my computer and went to YouTube.

how to DIY fill hole in wall

This was what I searched, folks. I was still scarred from my last attempt at using polyfilla. Which was 20 minutes before the check-out-scary-inventory-deposit-reducing-meeting at my last rental. They took the deposit, folks, they took it to do the holes again.

Yet... this evening was different! And certainly because I was surrounded by the wonderful Alice, Faye(who was on their first GoodGym good deed - congrats!!), Jackie, John, Liz, and Steve.

We'd grasped the spring worm this evening, enjoying the longer light to traverse the bustle between Barbican and the Brady Arts and Community Centre, where our task awaited us.

Social Action for Health are a gorgeous charity working within the community in Tower Hamlets, and they need their volunteer room at the Brady spruced and enlivened, and we'll be doing just that over the coming weeks.

Our task this evening was to get the ball rolling, which we did by removing brackets from yesteryear and filling their left-behind holes.

This group took the tasks and ran with them to completion. Amidst a setting twilight, this room became a happy space filled with screwdrivers, pliers, hole filler, putty knives, and hoovers. And 40 minutes later, we'd gotten this space a short span away from being ready to paint.

Thanks, everyone, I had the most wonderful evening, and you made a real difference this evening.

Nice one!

We've been heading to the American International Church since December.

Since then, we've visited 10 times, always assembling, dressing, and organising the beds for their weekly winter shelter's guests.

Wednesday last week was the AIC's final winter shelter until the autumn, and we welcomed Elizabeth, Jackie, John, Lici, Louise, and Steve to our final hullabaloo until we return in October or November.

Our group's speed reflected our comfort in this space, as we swiftly made up the evening's beds in the male, female, and volunteer quarters, and we did so to our (now accustomed) speaker filled with sounds from the 80s.

I've loved this task over the past few months. Each week we make a difference. The shelter is made possible through the collected efforts of multiple people - the overnight helpers, the evening cooks (whose creations always smell so good), the AIC's core coordinating team, and... our very own GoodGym-esque help. It's a joy to be part of something that truly helps folks who need it.

We welcomed my partner, Suzanna, for the final couple of minutes, before we headed off for a well-earned spot of pasta on Tottenham Court Road!

Thanks, everyone, and see you soon, Alex

The below standard operating procedure was followed on Wednesday 6th March (evening) by some good people in the Camden area.

1. Arrive outside the Francis Crick Institute at 6:15pm.
2. Wait for Alex to appear dressed in red. He will tell you about GoodGym; a charity made for fitness and volunteering enthusiasts.
3. Say your name and number (meaning: your position in the circle; please do not give out your personal mobile number).
4. Alex will lead you into the bright night. Get lost in socialising chitchat.
5. Suddenly, you will be outside the American International Church on Tottenham Court Road.
6. Enter the church and head downstairs. Fold-up beds leaning against walls will be magically waiting for you.
   
7. Unfold a bed by unclipping a small plastic fastening and be wary of the bed’s desire to fold back up.
8. Place the plastic fastening in a purpose-made jug.
9. Tuck a sheet onto a bed and chat to other people in red T-shirts about fitness and volunteering.
10. Dance to Dire Straits.
11. Invert a duvet cover and place it entirely over your head.
12. Explore through touch the mysterious corners of the duvet.
13. Listen to the guitar solo in Sultans of Swing.
14. Fling the duvet cover forward and hope for the best.
15. Once all beds are completed in the above style, go to the stage area of the church, which is found through a secret door, and set up another bed while admiring the theatrical set up in the room.
16. Try and guess which show it is.
17. Take a photo of all the people in red T-shirts without making it very blurry.
18. Head back into the bright night, very proud and very happy.

Attending a GoodGym session can, I always think, feel like stepping into two worlds.

In one, you meet lovely, interesting, kindred spirits like Alex, Jackie, John, and Liz, and you connect and share whilst doing something active and giving together.

And in the other, you get to move into the sphere of a wonderful and local community organisation - one you may have often walked past but never looked in - one you may know all about but have never seen things from the inside.

I felt like I had that joy last night as this brilliant group ventured into the gorgeous Calthorpe Community Garden. Sat in the heart of Central London, this garden has been part of and beneficial for the local community for over 40 years. Even in the dark, we felt separate from the surrounding urban hubbub as we trawled its weaving network of green paths and walkways. It's genuinely beautiful there.

Met by the kind and effusive Gaven, who's been part of Calthorpe for some 24 years, we were warmly shown to our tools and task for the evening.

We spent nearly an hour loading wood chip into wheelbarrows, meandering our ways to bare ground, and spreading the chip down neatly and fully. A few of us focused on a few of the raised beds in one corner, whilst Liz worked speedily to transform one of the paths.

Thank you, all, it was wonderful to see you last night! And see you again soon!!

James (new GGR social secretary??) suggested a post Xmas / new year catch up, so after the evenings group run off we went to the local pub for a drink and nibble and chat - Jenny made it down and Ramon came from distance to join in as well.