What started out as a simple gazebo build evolved into a full team effort, when the heavier than expected wind gusts took out one of the poles!

Dave did a wonderful job of holding the structure in place, whilst Jane helped brighten up the subtle guy ropes ones we got the gazebo back up and running. Epic work from Paul and Alex of BPA, who with a saw, a plank of wood and some metal stakes got everything structurally sound.

On her way back from a coffee run, Jen found the pastor and his family from City Life Church struggling with their equipment up Tangiers Road, so carried on the good deed by carrying a gazebo for them. Luckily, helping erect theirs was a bit less eventful!

I filled a bag with rubbish from outside the station, including 109 cigarette butts.

The five of us collected 8bags of rubbish - not bad for one hour :)

Last night was a special GoodGym Portsmouth session – and a little different from our usual Wednesday evening!

After a run led by Jen, we headed to Aspex Gallery, where we were joined by volunteers from across Portsmouth – 25 of us in total!

The evening was part of Aspex’s COMMUNAL programme and Portsmouth 100, celebrating 100 years of Portsmouth as a city. Huge thanks to Aspex for bringing us together to imagine the next 100 years of volunteering.

We were welcomed by a brilliant photo wall of 50+ GoodGym Portsmouth photos celebrating connection, joy and community.

And a huge shoutout to Alex from GoodGym Central, who joined us from London. Alex was there when GoodGym launched in Portsmouth in 2018!

Using Appreciative Inquiry, we shared stories of volunteering at its best and explored what made those experiences special. Our themes included joy, purpose, friendship, community, environmental impact, inspiration – and embracing the weird!

Then we jumped forward to 2126, imagining the National Volunteering Awards. The acceptance speeches were hilarious, heartwarming and full of ideas about the future.

Perhaps in 100 years we won’t need litter picking because nobody drops litter anymore. ❤️

We finished by asking how we can share the story of volunteering – including asking “How do you help your community?” rather than “What do you do?”, and celebrating what’s in it for volunteers: friendship, connection, confidence, purpose and joy.

Because volunteering isn’t just about giving.

It’s about what we create together. ❤️

Huge thanks to Aspex, Portsmouth 100, Ideas Alliance, GoodGym Central and everyone who came along.

Here’s to the next 100 years! 🌱