A last minute change of task yesterday meant that rather than running to help open up a community garden which has been closed for years, we were down at Battersea Park's beautiful Thrive therapy garden. This amazing space is used to promote therapeutic horticultural skills to bring about positive changes in the lives of people living with disabilities or ill health, or those who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable. At GoodGym we truly believe in the power of getting active outside so it was the perfect fit for us!

We started off the night by welcoming some new faces to our group - so great to have you along for your first session Ben, Mike and Helen. Give them a big cheer, GoodGym!

Thankfully it was a lovely warm night compared to last week's washout, so we did a brief warm up to get those muscles firing. Before we set off on our 2km run to the park, we also went round the group to find out what everyday item (aside from our phone) we couldn't live without. Coffee and delicious things to eat came very high up, as did our watches, beds and our trusty kettle!

We made our way into the park, trying not to notice all the picnics and cool drinks at the cafe, and headed into the therapy garden where we had a list of jobs waiting for us. There were plenty of tasks to choose from, from watering, litter picking, weeding and leaf raking. Everybody cracked on with their chosen task, and somehow it was Paul who ended up on the wrong end of the hose again - or perhaps given the warm weather the cooling off was welcome?

At the end of 40 minutes we had got loads done, including collecting a huge ton bag full of leaves and making sure all the plants (and some humans) got a good watering. It was a calm, regenerative place to spend the evening and easy to see what a great resource the garden is for local people. We'll be back across the park at the herb garden in a few weeks, so get those green fingers ready for more Thrive fun!

It was almost time to run back, but not before an intense plank challenge. For four minutes without a break we held various plank positions, working all those ab muscles. If that wasn't enough we finished off with a core triathlon before heading back to base for stretches. Great work everybody.

Next week we will be back at the Rose community centre to finish off a huge painting job. There are plenty of other sessions to get involved with too, from supporting junior parkrun to helping deliver food for vulnerable people.

As always, if you have any questions about any sessions or events coming up don't hesitate to let me know, and if you haven't joined already we have a busy whatsapp group full of all the GG and social news. Happy GoodGyming everybody!

What a happy place Wandsworth is on a Monday night! With blue skies above us, twenty GGers met to do some good at our regular visit to Doddington community garden, and were delighted to welcome Jordan, Chelsey and James to their first session. Give them a massive cheer!

After our warm up, we went round the group to find out the last film or TV program everybody had watched, and discovered we had some eclectic tastes, ranging from Casualty to Saltburn! It was just a short run down to the garden, so we wasted no time in setting off.

As soon as we arrived Malissa, the lead volunteer, got us started on a number of jobs. This space, which was once a disused carpark, has truly been transformed into a flourishing garden which takes a lot of work to keep it going. Tasks ranged from tying up the raspberry canes and removing bindweed, watering, moving bricks and even creating a brand new raised bed which will soon be planted with lots of vegetables.

Our efforts didn't go unnoticed. The garden is used by people living in the high rises around the estate, and one neighbour sent Malissa a picture of us from her window saying that she had spotted us working hard! Have a look at the photos to check it out.

There was just time for some really lovely words from Jordan and a competitive fitness session which saw the group racing round the square. There was some very rapid running and great form on the holds. Well done everybody!

It was the first Monday of the month which meant our pub quiz and social. Two teams put up some strong performances, emerging in third and fourth place. Don't forget, everybody always welcome, the more the merrier (and the more specialist subjects covered, the better).

We have lots of fun sessions coming up, starting with marshaling at the WLQP walk this Saturday where you'll be rewarded for your efforts with a drink, lunch and entertainment! There is a nice task coming up to help tame a small community garden in Wandsworth Town on the 15th, and if you'd like to join us for parkrun (running or volunteering) at Clapham on the 22nd, followed by a coffee and a quick water of our GG garden, then sign up here. Don't forget we also have our weekly session to help deliver Sunday lunch for vulnerable people. If you'd like to join our whatsapp group where a lot of the social side of things is mentioned, just send me a message.

Hope to see you at the next opportunity to get active and do good very soon!