Flying solo this time, Jalal was our one-man cleaning crew, rolling up his sleeves and getting stuck into giving the centre some much-needed TLC. He got busy cleaning down the tables and cupboards, making sure everything was looking spick and span for the community.

A huge shout-out to Jalal for showing up, getting stuck in and proving that you don't need a big team to make a big difference! 🌟

One volunteer, plenty of elbow grease and a whole lot of shine! 🙌

Another great night at Masbro Centre and we got stuck straight in.

First up was the front garden — we cleared all the fallen leaves and got it looking tidy again. Then it was onto the small roof area, with Jalal up high doing the hero work and getting stuck in.

Next, back garden takeover! Lillie & Matthew made that sliding door glass absolutely shine 🪟 you could barely see the glass afterwards, while Therese, Jalal and I went full leaf-busters and cleared nearly 5 bags worth 🍁💪

Best moment: Lillie rescued some lovely tomatoes from the garden — saved just in time for Bea’s dinner 🍅

Great job done by all, Masbro is looking fresh front to back!

Last night, we were back at the Masbro Centre for another evening of volunteering, with Matthew and Jalal ready to get stuck in!

First up, we gave the hall some much-needed attention, clearing away all the leaves that had found their way inside. We then turned our attention to the sports cupboard, giving it a tidy and a bit of a refresh. The best part? It was great to see that it was still looking in good shape from the last time GoodGym got in there and worked our organisational magic! 💪

Meanwhile, Jalal and Matthew took on the corridors with the hoovers, making sure the place was looking fresh and clean from top to bottom.

And because no GoodGym session is complete without a little bit of unexpected fun, we finished the evening with some curling... using the brooms! 🥌🧹 It might not be heading to the Olympics just yet, but there was definitely some competitive spirit on display!

Tonight’s Masbro volunteering task turned into a full-on shelving showdown 😂 We had 2 shelving units to build and decided the only fair way was to compete.

Team 1: Cheski + Lillie Team 2: Matthew + Maria

Matthew and Maria came in hot with a mallet ready to go — serious head start energy. Team Cheski/Lillie had to go hunting for a hammer first, but once we were set up we were a dream team. Laid out all the pieces, followed the questionable instructions, and clicked everything together piece by piece 🛠️

Meanwhile Matthew + Maria were stuck on step 1. We offered help... they declined. Classic. Turns out the piece was upside down 👀

Lillie and I were flying and nearly done, just the wooden shelves left. Then we made our fatal mistake: we got distracted talking about weddings 💍 And that’s when Matthew and Maria steamed ahead. There was even some sneaky shelf-stealing tactics involved.

It came down to a last-minute race to get the tops on... and surprise, surprise, Matthew and Maria beat us!

Well done to all 4 flat-pack champions. Masbro has 2 brand new shelves and we have a new rivalry 🏆

This week's task at the Masbro Centre sounded simple enough: put up some shelving. Easy... right? 😅

We were handed our first box with optimism, only to open it and discover... four sheets of plywood. 🤔 Not quite the shelving extravaganza we'd been expecting!

Cue a mini detective mission 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♂️ as we searched the building to solve the mystery of the missing shelving. After checking cupboards and storage spaces, success! 🎉 Hidden away in the sports cupboard were five flat-packed shelving units patiently waiting for their moment.

With the correct box finally located, it was time to get building. Armed with a mallet 🔨, a hammer 🛠️, plenty of determination 💪, and the perfect construction team of two gentlemen and a lady 👷‍♂️👷‍♂️👷‍♀️, we set to work.

As it turns out, assembling one of these shelving units isn't exactly a speed event! After just over an hour of tapping, hammering, slotting pieces together, and carefully fitting the plywood shelves into place, we proudly stood back to admire... one fully assembled shelving unit! 🎉👏

Our brand-new shelving has now been safely stored, ready for its permanent home in the sports cupboard. With four more flat-packs waiting in the wings, we've set ourselves up perfectly for next month's return, where we'll be aiming to beat our current tally of one shelf per evening! 😄

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, brought their enthusiasm, patience, and excellent DIY skills. Same time next month to tackle the next chapter of the Great Shelving Adventure! 💚💪

Last night’s volunteering session at Masbro Centre felt a bit like stepping into a mystery novel...

After arriving, we were led through a door that many of us had never even noticed before. Behind it lay the "Secret Garden" – and secret it certainly was! 😄

What we found was a space that had seen better days. There were pots everywhere, evidence of some ambitious gardening attempts, weeds making themselves very much at home, and plenty of plastic and waste scattered around. It was less "Secret Garden" and more "Secret Jungle!" 🌱🪴

Not to be deterred, the team got stuck in straight away. 💪

🗑️ We cleared four large black bags of waste.

🌿 We depotted plants and removed weeds that had taken over.

🧹 We swept the floor until it was clean and welcoming again.

🪑 We cleared and cleaned the benches.

🔧 We organised the shed so everything now has a proper home.

🪴 We carefully arranged the pots neatly to one side, making the whole area look far more inviting.

The transformation was incredible. What started as a cluttered and forgotten corner is now a bright, tidy and welcoming outdoor space where the nursery children can learn, explore and enjoy being outside. 🌞

A fantastic evening of teamwork, plenty of laughs, and a real before-and-after success story. The Secret Garden is a secret no more—and it's looking better than ever! 🌿✨