We had a full day takeover at Building Futures East with our friends that we help out weekly with the East End Women foodbank task.

A few weeks ago, we were asked by the team there to help out with some decorating and painting in the huge space (see the photos!) that is about to be transformed into a big working area for the Stitch Sisters project, a new training course from women in the East End to develop skills in sewing and get back into work. The space is massive and would be a huge job for a small charity, so we were delighted to get the chance to help and really make a difference.

As you can see social distancing was most definitely guaranteed today as 6 of us including new runner Florence (go and give her a cheer!) spent the day getting stuck in. We rolled, glossed, cleaned and in Tom's case squeaked a lot (the roller, not Tom).

We managed over the course of the day to get over half of the massive space done alongside task owners Rebecca and Barbara and we know with another few Community Missions we can get it all cracked and finished off. Keep following for updates when we list a comeback mission.

PS we even got a drive by from a Viking ship which is just classic random GoodGym I think you'll agree.

This evening we returned to Building Futures (based on the banks of the Tyne, in Walker) to help transform a workshop to be used for a brilliant local project, "Stitch Sisters" It was exciting to see the transformation from our last visit! (Have a look at the photos)

Myself and Darren got there first, and we were met by the task owner, Rebecca. Everything was so organised as always with everything already set out (rollers, paint brushes and paint) We got stuck in straight away with Darren using the extended roller to paint up high.

We were then joined by Louise and Aimee and it was lovely to see Florence return for her 2nd good deed.

Louise successfully completed building Ikea furniture (well done!) whilst Aimee and Florence were also painting.

An hour soon flew by and it was time to pack away. I'm sure we will be back very soon!

When you need painting in your big old bus Who you gonna call? (Goodgymbusters)

It may have been dull and drizzly on the riverside this morning, but this did not dampen our spirits as we helped Building Futures East to renovate their old double decker bus in to a secret garden.

Inside the bus the chairs had already been removed in preparation and another volunteer group had tackled priming one side of the outside of the bus. Our task was to prime the inside and remainder of the outside of the bus ready for a mural to be painted on it.

Given the messiness of the task, we appreciated the coveralls and gloves the task owner provided.

Crystal and Rob quickly made a start on the inside of the bus, while the rest of us split into two groups to tackle the front and side of the bus.

It's amazing how much progress we made in such a short period of time, although we did manage to paint ourselves as much as the bus. I enjoyed sharing my elbow grease trick for swiftly cleaning paint off of our hands.

I can't wait to see the garden when this project is finished. Keep your eyes peeled for the open day announcement.

Our morning was rounded off with a little visit to the Cycle Hub for a cuppa and catch up.

Join us on Monday for an Ouseburn litter pick.

It was damp and dreary for our community mission/ social walk combo tonight and my first GoodGym session since September 25th! Charlotte, Lucy, Liz, Beth and I met wrapped up at the Cycle Hub for the first part of the evening- collecting toys for the Building Futures East foodbank Christmas toy appeal. This will brighten children’s christmases across the east end of Newcastle, something we are immensely proud to have a small hand in.

My car boot overflowing with goodies we set off on a quayside loop up to the swing bridge and back via the millennium bridge. The quayside looked so pretty tonight when the drizzle stopped but we had so much to catch up on I hardly took any photos- sorry! Back to the cycle hub in just over half an hour, legs stretched and lots of fresh air and chat and our Monday definitely felt enhanced.

If you’d like to donate toys and missed tonight, please drop me a message and I’ll arrange a drop off point. Alternatively get involved in hamper packing at Building Futures East next week on either Tuesday afternoon or Friday morning. They are both drop in sessions where you can stay as long as you like.

Tonight’s community mission is dedicated to the memory of my amazing mother, Meg Rippon. She loved what we do at GoodGym and avidly read every report. This one was for you.

For our second festive task of the week I visited our old friends East End Women’s Food Bank at Building Futures East. This was the first of two tasks we have there this week. Today I spent some time with one of the regular volunteers, Gary, sorting donated children’s books, stickers and activity packs into age groups. Later in the week these will be added to toys that Gary has already sorted to make Christmas presents for local children. It’s bittersweet to be able to contribute to such fantastic work making sure lots of children receive gifts at Christmas, while reflecting on the thought that such a service is needed.

Once the books were sorted I began to pack some food parcels. The East End Women’s food bank delivers LOTS of food parcels each week and GoodGym Newcastle members were proud to help out during the peak pandemic months. It didn’t take long for me to get back into the swing of it and it was nice to be able to include some Christmas treats!

I finished off with a quick hoover (difficult to get a hoovering selfie!) and task owner Dawn seemed happy with the progress. Personally, I’m a bit concerned that with festive tasks two days in a row I’m in danger of feeling the Christmas spirit before it’s even December!

If you’d like to join in part two of this task on Friday you can sign up here. Grinch warning: Christmas wrapping paper may be involved! Packing toy and food hampers for Building Futures East foodbank - Improve a family's Christmas

What a lovely morning at East End Women foodbank at Building Futures East! Krishti and I battled through some very dicey roads to get there in the snow and it was totally worth it.

We have only ever done one task together in all this time so the time flew over today while we chatted about life and how GoodGym has enhanced so many connections for us- very wholesome.

We completed two tasks this morning, packing food parcels for families in need of support this Christmas, and organising toy donations (including a big pile of presents from GoodGymers!) into age categories. These tasks were much appreciated by the foodbank staff who work hard to improve the lives of people in the east end of Newcastle.

I think Krishti and I can safely say we are on the Nice List now.