“The food will arrive in vans on Friday evening at 17:15”. That was the information we had, and five GoodGymers duly sneaked out of work to get to Camden food back in time. But heavy traffic, no doubt caused partly by the earlier Tube strike, meant the vans were considerably delayed. Task owner Abi was hugely apologetic and kept urging the van on, phone to his ear. John and Jacqui had tickets for Hampstead Theatre, while Theo had to leave before the vans even arrived. But we were sustained by lively chat, as well as three boxes of croissants which were surplus to requirements following a meeting at a nearby office

As St Pancras church clock struck six, the vans arrived, full of crates of baked beans, nappies and many other goods of varying weight. Together with other volunteers, we formed a human chain to ferry the produce from the van, up a winding staircase and along the upper floor where it was neatly stacked, ready for distribution to those in need

Within half an hour the job was done, Siobhan gave out the remaining croissants at a nearby pub, and John and Jacqui got to Hampstead in time. Well done everyone, and welcome to the very patient Ali-John, on his first good deed. We promise not to keep you waiting 45 minutes next time!

12 GoodGymers caught sixty spring–sun–shining minutes in Camden!

Under bright blue skies — and as rush hour pushed into twilight — lovely people started arriving at the Cecil Sharp House garden yesterday evening.

Some were dressed in red and everyone looked locked and ready for some form of altruistic action!

First we said a big hello to our three new faces 👉 welcome to the group, Giulia, Maggie, and Sarah!!

Second we said hello to our regular faces 👉 great to see you Ariane, Helen, Jackie, John, Karen, Siobhan, Theo, and Thierry!

And third... we played Simon Says!

Which loosened our limbs and prepared us perfectly for the wonderful difference this group made:

💚 Every yard and metre (even every inch!) of pathway was swept free of litter and blossom

💚 Sackfuls of weeds from nooks and crannies were plucked ready for composting

💚 Bundles of leaves and debris disappeared leaving the greenhouse space spic and span

Thank you, everyone! See you soon!

P.S. Thank you to Ariane for the many photos!

P.P.S. Thank you for Theo for taking the group photo!

13 GoodGymers jumped into nature yesterday evening!

This was our first session at our regular haunt, Cecil Sharp House, that felt like spring. It was bright and light, and the forecast thunder swerved us completely 🙂

Which meant that this wonderful group had fine conditions to make a wonderful difference!

And alongside our special and experienced GoodGym faces (Ariane, Gary, Jackie, John, Karen, Sarah, Siobhan, and Thierry) we welcomed first timer Ikram (welcome!) and second-timers Ellen, Giulia, and Krista (great to see you again!) ❤️

And together we:

💚 Transformed a twig-and-weed-strewn lawn into a perfect patch of green!

💚 Pruned overgrown shrubs and bushes!

💚 Planted fresh seeds for flowers yet to blossom!

💚 Gave every inch of paving a weed-cutting and broom-sweeping manicure!

💚 Turned a mountainous pile of leaves and clutter into the tidiest spot!

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

10 GoodGymers move an ENTIRE GREENHOUSE (!) in Camden!

I often think that many hands really can make light work...

...but sometimes...

I think the work really is too heavy!

Which is what my brain was thinking as I arrived at Cecil Sharp House yesterday evening, where I was met by the lovely and fabulous troupe of Al, Jackie, John, Karen, Lydia, Rose, Siobhan, Theo, and Thierry!

Our task was quite simple.

Pick up that big ol' greenhouse, walk it 60m, and put it down again (in addition to emptying and organising and refilling too!)

And before I could even murmur a hesitation this group were off and working, and just wonderful they were. Together they:

❤️ Made exceptionally light work of this mammoth task!

❤️ Left the greenhouse organised and tidy, and in a prime new position!

❤️ Did even more by repacking two storage crates with heavy bags of gravel and soil!

And while some of the team did this Jackie and Siobhan were busy making a wonderful difference in Cecil Sharp's garden 👉 they collected leaves, strewn twigs, and litter 👉 transforming the lawn and pathways into (surely!) the tidiest green space in Camden :)

Thank you, everyone!