6 Goodgymers made their way 7km to Moulsecoomb hall to assist in their volunteers day on Tuesday 9th April 2024.

We were provided with white paint for the walls and doors of the lobby of the building to help refresh the space and give it a bright welcome for visitors. The hall provides a much needed space for the local community to hire at affordable prices for weddings and parties but also for regular classes etc. We painted the foyer before a new carpet will be laid in a few days time.

We were then given pizza which we devoured before making our way back home. A warm welcome to “new” Pippa too.

The weather was a bit dull, but we had a great session yesterday – we helped the Scope’s new charity shop in 93 London Road to get ready for their great opening next Thursday, 28th April!

Nicole and Karen, leading the great opening, welcomed us at big arms and really appreciative of GoodGym ignition of superpower at the end of their tiring day! So, with the soundtrack music of Jim Reeves – He'll Have To Go played by the vinyl discs recorder, we dusted off all the new shelving units, hoovered the big new shop area, moved and smashed cardboard boxes for a greater Good!

Scope, is the disability equality charity in England and Wales; they provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society. In the new charity shop there is a nice mural made by students of the Downs View College brightening a dedicated corner where the visitors can enjoy some resting and social time in the shop.

We had a really Good time, and we could not resist the temptation to try some of the dresses on – Donated second hands or gifted new, all is welcome here, especially more volunteers!

We are all invited to the great opening next week, hosting special guests like the local artist Jonny and Electra Fence! Can’t be missed.

We love parkrun!

It possibly goes without saying, but parkrun really isn’t about running at all - despite it’s name - it’s really about community cohesion, wellbeing and the coming together of the community. Pretty much like Good-Gym!

We are spoilt for choice in Brighton and Hove with 5 parkruns across the city. Once a month, we meet up together and run or walk or volunteer at a different parkrun, proudly wearing our GoodGym T-shirt. Sometimes more often for spontaneous initiative of the Good Gymers in our area.

This Saturday we were parkrunning to East Brighton Park...and, some of us stayed longer to help in a community mission to restore this citypark.

Hereafter all the link to the parkrun racecourses across Brigthon & Hove:

• Preston Park: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/prestonpark/course
• Hove Promenade: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/hovepromenade/course
• Hove Park: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/brighton/course
• East Brighton Park: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/eastbrighton/course
• Bevendean Down Park: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/bevendeandown/course

Make sure you get there for the run briefing just before 9am.

New to parkrun?

Parkruns are free, weekly, community events all around the world. Saturday morning events are 5k and take place in parks and open spaces. You can run, walk or volunteer at parkruns. You can even take your dog (if you have one) along! If you have never run a parkrun before, they are a great way to get into running in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Remember, it's FREE, but you can register HERE: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/ to keep a profile (number of parkruns you do, times, etc.). GoodGym-ers in Brighton have their parkrun profile associated with the group/club: GoodGym-Brighton, and we like sharing our photos :-)

Happy parkrun-ing with GoodGym!

This past weekend, Brighton GoodGym-ers have been running or volunteering while engaging their heart with their friends Susan and Joel in Mind.

We have been running in memory of Brighton GoodGym-er and friend Susan – Susan was a regular on our group runs, and a kind and supportive friend. She loved literature, her favourite philosopher was Kierkegaard, and four times a year she would make a little nature shrine in her home to celebrate the new season. She carried a ridiculously large backpack to our GoodGym sessions (we still have no idea what was in it), cooked a mean roast dinner, and was famously good at chin-ups.

We have been taking on this challenge also in honour of another GoodGym-er and friend Joel – Joel was a vibrant, intelligent and caring person with a happy-go-lucky outlook on life, often pushing the boundaries of adventure and upfront to help the others.

On Sunday 25 February, we braved the wind to run and cheer at Brighton Half Marathon, a brilliant race organised by local charity The Sussex Beacon. Despite the horrendous headwind for the final 5K, everyone made it safely over the line…and then to the pub, where we enjoyed a well-earned roast together.

In their own words, here are a few answers from GoodGym-ers when we asked:

“What’s your Why to come out this weekend?“

“I ran to support my brilliant GoodGym friends, who lost someone special to them a couple of years ago, and to celebrate the importance of movement and fitness in keeping mind and body healthy“. Rosie

“I ran in memory of fellow Goodgym-er Susan, who was one of the people who first welcomed me to GoodGym Brighton. Delighted that we’ve managed to collectively raise 3x more than our original fundraising target for Mind! I also ran for the challenge of getting my pb under two hours“. Pippa

“While I was not personally affected, I can see what a gap Susan left in the lives of those who knew her. Working for a mental health trust I can see how much people need support.” Sarah

“I ran to beat my six-year personal best, and in memory of a wonderful person who was a big part of our lovely community.” Michael

“I wanted to just cheer on all the great effort you GoodGym good folk put it...and I love the atmosphere! Well done again :)” Edel

“My why: training run for the Brighton full marathon on 7th April. Practicing negative splits, racing strategies in real race conditions. Also happy to run with my friend Stefania and support her pace and mission. Thankyou, GoodGym!“ Colin

"I have been enjoying very much taking part in GoodGym activities, as besides keeping fit and having fun with like minded people, I'm aware it's a great opportunity to contribute to my local community and help others!" Maddy

“My why is because I like to keep fit but it's also important to me to give back to the community I live in. I joined GoodGym to make friends as I was new, and alone, when I first moved to in Brighton. Last weekend I came to support friends primarily, but also because I knew Susan well, and was affected deeply by her death“ Frannie

“I always love to keep myself moving and motivating myself to new challenges for life! Never particularly liked long-distance running, but I felt Good to run this Brighton Half with a purpose and the company of my fellow friends. As a GoodGym Area activator, I am still thrilled when I think about that last time I did a GoodGym session with Susan and when Joel proudly told me that he had joined GoodGym and signed up for a few GoodGym runs and community missions” Stefania

“This Sunday, I supported my dear friend Stefania running for GoodGym and in support of Mind honourable fundraiser for Joel & Susan who were members of Brighton Explorers and GoodGym. I remember photographing Joel and having lovely conversations, I think at a Sewage Against Sewage campaign. Such a kind soul, always smiling, despite appearing a bit distant and maybe shadowing some cloudy emotions. There was more in Joel“. Klara

“While still on the doorstep to join GoodGym parkrun in Joel’s memory, I felt I needed to say things I have never said, but I wished I had. Insights were shared. Mine will be to keep up with thriving Brighton Explorers club’s charitable mission“.

“I helped Stefania to prepare for the half marathon with some exercises to strengthen her legs and core mainly. This is what I do as a job, find a way to help people feeling better with their body! As a reflection, a good mental health is guaranteed, this is why I think exercises and physical activities are the best medicine. Well done Stefania!“ Mariangela

“Why? We believe in the power of sports to support those struggling with their mental health and by sharing our passion for sports to #DoGoodGetFit“ Stefania, GoodGym Brighton

GoodGym sessions, parkruns and races like the Brighton Half are not just great ways to challenge ourselves and support our fitness goals, but also provide an opportunity to come together and remember friends like Joel and Susan, GoodGym-ers who sadly lost their lives.

Massive thank you to everyone who supported the fundraiser for Mind.

We’re fundraising for Mind because their work supports people like Susan and Joel, providing mental health information, advocacy, and peer support. Since the pandemic, the demand for mental health services has been increasingly overwhelming, and charities like Mind are doing essential work to help keep up.

If you’d like to donate, you can still do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/brightongoodgym-halfmarathon2024?utm_term=MqPB5rDjy

Brighthelm Centre is a well-established community venue situated in the heart of Brighton. Our first ever beneficiary charitable organisation, a short run from our meeting point at the Victoria Statue in Brighton.

GoodGym’s call today was to make the space much nicer for its community groups and tenants, and so we did by tuning our GoodGym steps with the Zumba choreography of ZumbaWithMon Class, which is on here every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday!

We tackled the centre’s stairwells with a double GoodGym action: by deep cleaning the steps and making the windows shined top down and bottom up, and vice versa.

Nice bumping in the musicians from Water Bear College of Music and other community groups who were busy in the rooms upstairs. This gave me a sense of belonging to all those organisations that we serve with our active GoodGym volunteering work. And, it just keeps resonating a mutual devotion for each other community charitable mission, and enduring respect for all the diversity, time and energy that we all donate while contributing towards a greater Good in our city. This is Active Kindness, among each other and all.

Today we kept our running short to rest (a bit) our legs prior a busy four sessions on this weekend, 24-25th February. Click here to sign up on what’s on in Brighton area.

Brighton GoodGym-ers will be volunteering and/or running at our local parkruns and at the Brighton Half to embrace our cause while engaging our hearts in memory of some fellow GoodGym-ers. We are also fundraising for Mind.

On a misty soggy day in Brighton five indomitable Goodgymers volunteered at East Brighton Parkrun.

East Brighton Park was founded by Nancy Platts and has reached its 200th event. It is famed for being all on grass which with the soggy weather did make it a bit more challenging!

Despite the rain and mist me, Nicola and Frannie helped with set up.

While Edel was a cheery marshall encouraging those of us who ran along a particularly muddy section of the course.

At the end we were greeted by Pippa scanning our barcodes and taking some great photos of Good Gym runners.

We also were very excited to meet Paul Sinton-Hewitt the Parkrun founder.

Last but not least there was celebratory cake at the end!