Six goodgymers braved the rain and wind and jogged the short distance along a busy Western Road to Fred Emery Court, one of the many YMCA sheltered housing accomodations in our city.

We made our way through to the small and neglected back garden area, which was paved, with some raised beds, and a small shed. Numerous flats overlook the yard area and it was looking very tired and needed a little bit of love.

The lack of any lights meant that we mainly worked by torch light, and with the rain, wind and cold increasing by the minute we worked hard and fast to make a difference to the communal area. We concentrated on removing all the weeds that were coming through between the paving stones and taking over the area.

We worked with hoes, spades and brushes and managed to clear the whole area. There are some nice items of garden furniture out there and we are hopeful that by making a good start on tidying up the garden, the residents will continue to make it a calm oasis within a busy city.

This week, GoodGym Brighton proudly joined forces with This Girl Can for their powerful #LetsLiftTheCurfew campaign. As the clocks go back, nearly three-quarters of women alter their outdoor fitness routines due to safety concerns after dark. Our GoodGym community mission tonight wasn't just about the physical workout, but standing in solidarity to challenge this reality, ensuring everyone has the freedom and confidence to stay active outdoors year-round.

🧽 We returned to the Community Kitchen for our Social Scrub Up to support Brighton & Hove Food Partnership (BHFP)'s projects that tackles local food waste, combats food poverty, and runs vital community cooking clubs. True to GoodGym style, we combined fitness with a thorough deep clean. Armed with sponges, cloths, and plenty of enthusiasm, we scrubbed surfaces, sanitised equipment, and tidied cupboards—leaving the space gleaming for its next session!

🌱 During the task, we caught up on BHFP’s brilliant eco-friendly initiatives. The kitchen actively uses surplus ingredients in its classes to prevent food waste. To push their mission even further, they are now encouraging participants to bring reusable containers for leftovers. In just one week, this simple switch has already saved more than 50 single-use plastics!

👟 Our group walk to and from the venue was dedicated to the Let's Lift the Curfew movement. By moving together as a bright, visible, and supportive group, we can help overcoming the barriers women face when exercising after dark. GoodGym highly encourage all members to look through GoodGym's male allyship training guide to help keep Brighton safe and inclusive for every runner, walker, and cyclist.

🎁 Giving Back (and Giving Thanks!). As always, we got active, gave back, and supported great causes. We also received some wonderful perks! Our gracious host, Jo, rewarded us with a jar of Bold Beans, a recipe booklet, and a ‘Thank You Relay’ card, extending her appreciation to our community and inviting us to join her in this movement. A fantastic GoodGym welcome to our newest member, Ana.

Want to get involved? Join GoodGym for another session!