A wonderful 13 GoodGymers caught some social connection AND made a real difference in Camden!

While most Londoners hurried for the dry and the inside some Londoners (many dressed in red t shirts) were catching a different kind of Wednesday evening...

...and it started in Somers Town where Elisa (on their first good deed — welcome!), Jacob, Ivo, and Steve struck up a run and a conversation through evening bustle towards the American International Church...

...where they were met by not a few but many many many friendly faces 👉 including Ana, Ellen, and Fanny (all on their first good deeds — welcome!), and Alison, Caitlin, Ilana, Lydia, and Sarah!

We were on Tottenham Court Road to get everything ready for the AIC's weekly winter shelter 👉 cue shifting boxes, moving camp beds, finding duvets and sheets and covers, building tables, finding matching knives and forks, arranging toiletries, and more!

Thank you so much, everyone! Last night felt really joyful!

See you soon!

On a bright dry, but quite cold, Sunday morning, we joined the Friends of Mile End Park’s monthly litter pick. The task formed part of the January Challenge, giving runners a great opportunity to start the year with a positive impact on their local community and environment

We arrived one by one and joined volunteers from the Friends of Mile End Park, who organise regular clean-ups to help keep the park welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. Once we were all gathered by the Art Pavilion, there was a brief introduction and safety briefing from John of the Friends, we were equipped with litter pickers, gloves, and bags before heading to our allotted areas of the park

Working together, the team collected a wide range of litter, including food packaging, cans, bottles, and general waste that had built up over the winter months. Despite the chilly conditions, spirits were high thanks to good teamwork and plenty of conversation. The park is known for great potted woodpeckers, parakeets, robins, pairs of blue tits and water fowl, as well as snowdrops

Joining this task as part of the January Challenge was a brilliant reminder of what GoodGym is all about: combining physical activity with practical help for local communities. After an hour and half, many bags of rubbish had been filled, leaving the park cleaner and more pleasant for residents, visitors, and wildlife alike

It only remained to squeeze ourselves into the Coffee Room (actually bigger inside than out) for a deserved hot coffee and cake

My plan to get Mr T's Tesco shopping done first was foiled when I got to the Tesco to find the doors locked and a notice saying they'd suffered a serious network issue that meant they had to close the store temporarily - so as not to deprive Mr T of his soup, sardines and chicken slices I quickly set course for the nearby M&S, who, not for the first time saved the day, and then it was a really quick march in the cold up to Lidl for the rest...all's well that ends well.

13 GoodGymers welcomed some wonderful good deeding into Camden this Wednesday!

It was the day of the ice. When Londoners slipped and slided. And most (sensible) folk tried to stay inside...

...but this wonderful group bucked that trend!

Charlie, Hassaan (on their first good deed — welcome!), Helen, Jack, Jackie, John, Kareem, Loz, Lydia, Rohan (on their first Camden good deed — welcome!), Steve, and Tam turned up ready and willing to be outside and active :)

After some meeting and greeting and a swift group warm up, we split into two groups to get moving with our task for the evening.

FoodCycle are a special charity. They use donated and throw-out food to make FREE community meals each and every week. They're a lifeline for many and a community for more.

We were out spreading the word for their weekly meal in Camden. A huge pile of leaflets awaited us. And with them in hand...

...off we went!

One group stayed local and targeted estates around Somers Town, and one group went a little further and targeted roads in the southern tip of Kentish Town :)

By the end we had delivered over 700 flyers and enjoyed some lovely connection and conversation!

Thank you, everyone! Here's to next time!

The Kentish Town Congregational Church foodbank is a warm and friendly affair, with no shortage of tea, biscuits and conversation. So the hour I spent waiting in line, passed very quickly. When my turn came I was pleased to have brought the right-sized rucksack to contain all the food and toiletries (30 litres - spot-on!). Then onward, further across Camden, to deliver everything directly into Mr D's kitchen. A bit of a chat in his warm flat, and I was then on my way back into the grey and cold day.

Ms F greatly appreciated having a GoodGymer visiting her this week, as a few weeks ago she had to do the shopping on her own, without volunteers available, and struggled to breathe carrying groceries home on her own.

She took the opportunity today to stock up on bottles of Buxton water, which I never mind getting for her - carrying them to the 5th floor definitely kept me warm, and I loved the workout!

I was successful in obtaining most of the products, except for the baby sugar snaps and Cornish Yarg. The cheese counter had just closed, but a nice lady from the fish counter checked for me to see if there were any cut pieces available. Sadly, there was no yarg whatsoever! When asked if I wanted any alternative cheese, I mentioned I wasn't shopping for myself, and the lady guessed who I was shopping for! Of course, Ms F must be famous in Waitrose - even when she doesn't often go there in person!

I had good news for Ms Famous, nonetheless, as I managed to secure the breaded haddock, which is often sold out when I shop for her in the evenings after work. Together with discounted tuna chunks and poached salmon, I brought material for a real fish feast!

Before I left Ms F's flat, our Waitrose celebrity shared news about her new singing projects. I was excited for her, impressed by how she embraces creativity and continuous learning, no matter the age!