7 wonderful GoodGym folk made light work of a balcony clear-out!

Tottenham Court Road hummed its usual bustle as our group – of Helen, Jackie, Lydia, Siobhan, and Steve – climbed through the American International Church's magnificent doors.

We were there to meet the AIC's brilliant community engagement aficionado – and fellow GoodGymer – Brooke, who had a perfectly-shaped task for GoodGym!

The balcony is suspended above the church hall and it's filled with the usual – pews, books, community notices – as well as the less usual – an eclectic assortment of chairs, random poles, fun-looking toys, and more!

We were there to move the excess items down the three flights to the basement, across the church's underbelly, and out to the side entrance ready for collection and recycling!

Cue this team kicking into the most efficient (and happy) human chain I've ever witnessed – they picked, carried, passed, and repeated – onlookers marveled, removal companies trembled, and the loot was moved and tidily organised in 45 swift minutes!

Thank you so much, everyone! Here's to next time!

10 wonderful GoodGym folk made a green-fingered difference in Kentish Town!

Five of us – Alex, Danny, John, Matt, and Steve – started out from Somers Town yesterday evening.

Matt ran from Battersea Park – John sprinted from Euston Station – Danny ran down from Kentish Town – and Steve wove his usual route up from Bloomsbury!

Together we followed a steady route towards Willingham Terrace (situated in a very hot Kentish Town) and met five others – Alison, Caitlin, Helen, Lydia, and Sarah – each of whom made their own journeys (on foot and bike) to our good-deeding venue.

Hilda has lived on this estate for decades and she's transformed the green spaces – there's a bountiful allotment that was once a verge – and it's all thanks to Hilda's perseverance and creativity.

Yesterday was our second visit and we were focused once again on the communal square's hedgerow.

Weeds were pulled – grass edges were established – and four great big bags of cuttings were collected and disposed.

The difference was huge – and all under an overbearing July sun!

Thank you, everyone!! See you next time!!

Last night, some of us ran, some of us walked, but all of us came together on the Strand with one shared purpose: to get clothes and bedding to those who need it most.

We met with GROAD (Get Rid of and Donate), an incredible grassroots charity that collects and distributes donated essentials—clothes, shoes, bedding—to people experiencing homelessness across London. GROAD plays a vital role in bridging the gap and ensuring items go directly into the hands of those who need them.

While we waited for Andrea with the Groad van packed to the brim with donations we watched with interest all the different organisations coming together to form a real hub of support. There were lots of people providing resources, such as the highly efficient SWAT team (Sikh Welfare & Awareness Team) who were handing out delicious hot food.

As soon as the van was ready everyone quickly pitched in, helping to unload and carry the bundles across the road to where the distribution would take place. Soon, we had everything laid out—jackets, jeans, jumpers, socks, shoes, duvets—ready for people to browse and choose what suited them best.

In just half an hour, the vast majority of the donations were taken. Sadly, we couldn’t quite match the right person with a very fancy red strapless dress—but that’s a mission for another night. After a few high-fives, we said our goodbyes, snapped a quick photo, and then made our way home. If you know anyone who might enjoy GoodGym Westminster please signpost to them to this starter session coming up soon and we also have this great task coming up soon painting the foyer at a community centre.

Great job last night everybody, and thank you!