Only our second time helping out at Colum Road, the age assessment hostel in Cardiff. On what had been forecast as a possibly very wet evening, we were very happily surprised to have the rain wait until our task and run were over.

8 GoodGymers met at Glassworks, on Wharton Street. Michael planned a run that would still allow for a run close to 5km total, there and back, even though the task location was pretty close by.

We had a lovely jog to the task, chatting to each other about recent events, parties and gatherings.

After 20 minutes, we arrived at the task location. Michael had already been here once today, as he dropped down some tools for the team to use from his full time job with The Salvation Army. They were met by Tari, his beaming friendly smile welcoming them into the hostel.

Our task tonight had a few different jobs,

• Weed the gravel out back
• Tidy up the leaf fall
• Remove the Christmas lights we put on the railings last visit
• Wipe down the tables and chairs
• Cut down the buddleja
• Weed the front of the building

Our eager volunteers had no problem smashing out the tasks, working methodically through the list. Ruth and Lucy were top of the group for fun tonight with the cordless leaf blower.

Once the back yard was complete, everyone was sent out front to help cut down the pieces of buddleja to fit in the garden waste bag. Unfortunately, the green bin was still full at the hostel, so some last minute plans were put into place.

30 minutes soon went by, and after a group photo taken by Tari, it was time to head back.

Our driest day this month, so let's get helping outside. Tonight we were back at Cwtch Together for some well needed help in the garden.

10 of the goodgym crew were eager to help, with 6 running from the meet point, another 3 running from homes and 1 walker.

Once we arrived it was time to chat with our organiser, Sarah. She took Michael on a walk showing what needed to be done so that he could split up the group as required.

Tasks for the evening:

• Reattach and paint the bottom of the gate.
• Remove some wooden posts attached to the wire fence.
• Remove ivy from the back wall.
• Cut back the overgrown brambles, ivy and everything else on the side of the building, up to the roof.

The play group had discovered one of their young people had become accustomed to using the overgrowth as climbing apparatus. Our job, to remove every opportunity for this, and make it safe.

We split into groups,

Su and Rosie were at the gate. Rosie a machine with the cable ties, securing the wooden bottom back to the gate. Su getting involved with the painting.

Darren ripped those posts out, on a rampage for freedom.

Lucy, Martin and Jake were the Ivy league when it came to weed removal from the garden wall.

Michael, Llion and Dylan were squashed in the corner. Llion leading the way with Loppers, Michael scaling the walls to attack from up high. Dylan cleaning up as brambles and ivy fell from every angle. It was all hands to work for the final part of the wall as ivy was ripped away to reveal a corner that hadn't been seen for some time.

Dylan joined a little later but still got cracking with the gatekeeper.

This was a good evening of tasks, with some clear work on show. The usual ending group photo, and we headed back to the city centre for a catch up.

The January challenge had been a great success, now well rested it was time to get going for the rest of the year. We were back at St. Dyfrig and St. Samson for our first task with them for 2026.

From Little Things Big Things Grow

A simple sounding task tonight, helping to clear the growth in the carpark from over winter, tidying up the space.

The carpark is vital to allow those with access needs to get as close to their church as possible. The Church also opens up as a warm space and for regular community activity, offering hot drinks and a vital form of connection with others in the local community.

With 9 goodgymers braving the cold, we had a quick warm up and Chat before heading out for our active travel to the task. As soon as we arrived we were welcomed by our organiser, Julian.

A little light work

A group of volunteers

A BIG DIFFERENCE

We split into groups to cover the different areas, one groups straight to work on the main part at the back of the Church. The second, larger group, tackling the side where the most growth was.

Julian used the lights from his car for the large group to get to work, whilst the goodgym powerful light was used for the smaller group.

Everyone was hard at work, removing greenery, soil and and rubbish, sweeping and separating for the correct bins. Jonathan even allowed his pocket boy out for some extra work...well done Dylan.

It was soon time to down tools for the evening, thanks as always to our wonderful volunteers. Whether your first visit of the year (Su) or smashing out every group run in 2026 (Jake). You are all equally awesome.

A quick group photo and then two group heading back, the joggers and the walkers.