Back at our One Strawberry Lane base for the second time and it still felt like a bit of a novelty! If you haven’t seen it yet, we are back in a few weeks time- remember our group sessions are now two on and two off at OSL, the others back at Stepney Bank Stables.

I don’t consider myself a feeder but I arrived loaded up (down?) with some slabs of carrot cake I’d made an enormous batch of at the weekend, and they were truly a carrot to dangle for tonight’s session. It’s been years since we have helped at any of the brilliant Changing Lives sites and it felt really special to be back tonight to begin a series of gardening jobs at Cumberland House at the bottom of Westgate Road. Cumberland House is home to vulnerable women in our city, where Changing Lives does an incredible job of getting them back on their feet safely. I was shocked to see we hadn't visited since the end of 2018!

We’d been left a lovely note tonight with some jobs to complete but were without a couple of tools and directions we needed so instead we got on with clearing, weeding and cutting back the back garden that was certainly in need of some GLC (GoodGym Loving Care, obv) and with eight of us on the job tonight we truly gave it the transformation treatment. Weeds were pulled, rubbish was tidied and the grass was cut. One of the big novelties of the night was the chance to use a lawn mower - this is honestly such a highlight - and Lucy did a splendid job as you can see from the photos. I can’t wait to hear what the task owner thinks when she arrives back at work tomorrow.

No task on Westgate Road is complete without a visit to Summerhill Park for a fitness session and after a body part number game to warm up (kudos to Catriona for a handstand!) a fun game of Water, Wind, Fire hit the spot and unleashed loads of laughter and connection to end the night.

We are back next Monday doing good stuff with Ouseburn Trust. Remember to meet back at Stepney Bank Stables for that one! Hope to see you then.

PS Thanks to Louise for the PunSpiration, I mashed up our ideas in the end!

Tonight was our first session from the brilliant One Strawberry Lane base, and I think the group that came along were impressed! This central base is easy to find, comfy and cool and we think in the coming winter months will be a cosy place to catch up before our group sessions.

A small jog and walk up the road and we were welcomed by our task owner at WERS (west end refugee service) a charity doing amazing things to support the refugee community in our city. We’ve helped WERS before but not for five years (!) yet it felt really familiar being back. A simple task was requested: to start weeding their back garden space which will in time be turned into a welcoming space for their service users to hang out, chat and do some gardening of their own.

Small tasks like these are often where we can quickly make the biggest impact and in just half an hour, three bags of weeds had been removed and a huge space had opened up. The task owner was so impressed and started hatching a plan to have us back (with our floodlights!) as soon as we can. Look at those before and after photos!

A leisurely walk back together followed, but Mondays are made for high step counts and heart rates so we stopped off at St James’ Park for a step workout, much to the confusion of everyone passing by. Another perfect start to the week!

It's the end of an era! Today a superb task owner led his final community mission with GoodGym and what a task it was!

A big group of us gathered in St Lawrence Park in Byker, the group including many regular faces and a few we were welcoming back- hey Emma and Charlotte ! There was also a triple celebration going on today as both Tanya and Damu celebrated 100 good deeds and gained their wings, while Sam gained the cloak of goodness for her 50 milestone. Give them all a cheer for so many days of dedication to GoodGym!

Mike has orchestrated and led over 100 sessions for us and they are always a real treat in hidden gems of parks. There was a lot of reminiscing today about tasks gone by (if you don't know about the rocks in Kenton Park, ask anyone there that day as it's forever etched in memories!) and there were so many great days to reflect on as we've worked with Urban Green Newcastle to make our city parks safer places to be. Today's mammoth hedge cutting task was another example of how we can work together to do a big job in a short space of time. The before and after is quite astounding!

Mike's tasks always end with tea and biscuits but today it was with a twist as we had Louise and Sam's amazing baking, as well as no-alcohol prosecco to toast with. We also gave Mike his very own GoodGym tshirt to remember us by... he has certainly earned it.

Good luck and thank you Mike, we will really miss you.