...or rather, front to back in our case 🌿!

We went to help Mr B, an isolated 80-year-old who needed a hand getting both his front and back gardens back under control.

Our first priority was tackling the weeds and grasses growing through the gravel at the front of the house. It was a painstaking job, with lots of tiny plants 🌱🌱 poking up between the stones, but the effort really paid off. As the before-and-after photos show, the transformation was well worth it!

We also trimmed the plants bordering the path to the front door, giving the entrance a neater and more welcoming appearance.

Next, we moved round to the back garden, to focus on two areas that been taken over by bindweed. Although we didn't take any photos, the difference was just as dramatic, and Mr B was delighted with the result.

At GoodGym, tasks like this that support isolated older people are called 'missions'. To take part, you'll need a DBS check and to complete some safeguarding training. Once that's done, you'll be all set to get involved in this rewarding side of GoodGym.

It really is a fantastic way to make a tangible difference to someone's day.

Find out more about GoodGym missions here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/about-missions.

With England's men's team playing in the World Cup semi-final, we were a little thinner on the ground than usual this evening. Thankfully, it was a cracking task close to home, so we still made it back in time to catch the match!

Our mission, courtesy of Vice Principal Jane at Holy Trinity Lamorbey Primary School, was to assemble a flat-pack wooden potion table (aka mud kitchen) for the Early Years play area.

After carefully laying out all the components and matching them to the instructions, it was a case of screwing everything together. Teamwork with Jane meant we made swift progress, although all the squatting required to work at toddler height certainly gave our legs a decent workout!

The whole project came together without a hitch, and it was a real pleasure to move the finished potion table into its new home in the outdoor play area. Jane told us the children will be thrilled to discover it tomorrow.

With the summer holidays now upon us, our next visit won't be until Weds 16 September, when we'll be back to paint some outdoor boards and tackle another flat-pack challenge, this time constructing some art easels. Pop the date in your diary and come along to join the fun!

Tlhree of us at Eltham junior parkrun this morning.

Johnny and Sarah were cheering and giving high fives along the course, while Peter was keeper of the stopwatch, recording the time for all of the 91 finishers as they crossed the line.

parkrun has such a wonderful community vibe, and being part of that is a great way to start a Sunday.

We support two local junior parkruns each week so why not sign up and and be part of the fun.