Tonight's task was a mega leaflet delivery for Big Local Gateshead, letting residents in the Teams area know about group cycling sessions led by experienced cycling guide Mark. Mark had already delivered a lot of leaflets so we walked away from the Tyne View Health Hub where the rides begin and covered millions* more homes in the Staithes area. It turned out to be a beautiful evening for a riverside walk!

The big news of the evening was the return of Anji for her first session as a regular member rather than as Area Activator, and her first since her recent accident. It was fantastic to have you back Anji!

We walked over 5k tonight - the perfect shake out for Michael who is running the Manchester marathon on Sunday. Good luck Michael!

It was also fascinating to learn that as well as teaching and guiding cycling, Mark does all kinds of dancing, including Angolan Kizomba, which was new to all of us!

Every day is a school day with GoodGym!

*Quite a lot!

Today was our second visit in a week to Big Local Gateshead’s Sandown Allotment. Adam returned after starting the task last week, Lucy joined in having been to previous sessions on the site and it was my first visit to this charming place. There was a definite spring-like feel in the air - Adam was even wearing shorts!

Adam got straight to work with a wheelbarrow, moving piles of stones around. Lucy and my first task was cutting back an overgrown very dry lavender bush to make sure the path at that corner was accessible. Even though the plant was so dry there was still a lovely lavender smell - maybe that’s why I feel so sleepy this afternoon!

While Adam continued with his wheelbarrow, Lucy and I moved on to clear a pile of dead plants and organic material. The three of us then spent some time sorting out hundreds of old plant pots into useable ones and others to be thrown into the newly arrived skip. With the Big Local staff, another group of volunteers and the three of us, the skip filled up quickly and the paths looked clearer.

Kudos to Lucy and Adam for staying for the rest of the afternoon, beyond our session’s listing - I hope you didn’t get too wet by the rain I got caught in during my afternoon jobs!

(Apologies for the lack of photos, technical difficulties!)

Me and Adam had a valentines volenteering date with Big Local Gateshead, at their community allotment at Sandown allotment.

The community allotment is used by many different groups of people from school children to adult volunteers and over 55s, for the mental health benefits of gardening, growing plants and being outside. Over time the paths had become covered in weeds and less accessible so our task was to skim off the top layer ready for it to be resurfaced to be more wheelchair accessible.

Along with Big Local regulars we were digging out the top layer of the old path and putting it into wheelbarrows and once the skip was delivered lifting and tipping wheelbarrows contents into the skip.

While we worked we learnt about the work the Big Local do and herb hub and how they are growing herbs for good mental health. There was also plenty of tea/coffee, biscuits and fruit and even some lunch!

It was great seeing the difference we had made in two hours! If you are interested in helping out we are back to continue helping Big Local with their path resurfacing project next Thursday!

As I’m writing this Dunstan Fair will be in full swing. Families and friends coming together to enjoy games and music.

Our speedy setup of tables and chairs played just a small part in bringing a community together.

It was a nice sunny Saturday morning as Beth, Aimee and I met up at the Staithes cafe in Gateshead. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, was to spread the word about a window art exhibition(which I thought was a super cool idea!). Navigating the estate wasn't an easy task though and we frequently stopped to consult the map, to check which streets we've covered.

I also got distracted by this gorgeous cat who sprinted at full speed towards me then promptly laid down for belly rubs!

We finally managed to successfully deliver the massive box of leaflets and had a nice catch up over tea and cake at the really nice, but very busy, Staithes Cafe.

Aimee and Elly helped Big Local Gateshead in the Fountain Court care home garden in tonight's sunny community mission.

They were joined by a group of BL volunteers and some very enthusiastic young people who got stuck in. Aimee and Elly really put their backs into tonight's session to turn over the whole fountain area.

Kudos!