On 4 August, seven GoodGymers came together for a one-hour mission at Hestia Good Energy Club, a mental health service supporting the Kingston community. Although it was only an hour-long session, we had a huge area to tackle, around a third of the size of a football pitch! Claire led the run to Hestia, while the rest of the team made their way directly to the task. On arrival, we received a warm welcome from John at Hestia, who had thoughtfully provided Diet Coke, biscuits and crisps to keep everyone refreshed before we got started. After a quick break, it was time to get down to business. Armed with all-purpose spray as our "weapon" and cleaning wipes as our "shield", everyone quickly found their role. Marie and Laura took charge of the vacuum cleaners, working their way across the extensive floors, while Luke, Claire, John, Tom and Sabir tackled tables, chairs, window sills and every surface that needed a deep clean. With music playing in the background, the atmosphere was relaxed and upbeat, making the hard work fly by. It was brilliant to see the teamwork in action, with everyone coordinating seamlessly and helping wherever needed. Before long, the entire service had been transformed, with every corner left sparkling clean, all within the hour. John from Hestia thanked the team for all their hard work and told us how much the clean would benefit the members who use the service. We rounded off the evening with a group photo in front of a fantastic 3D beach mural created by the Good Energy Club members. A perfect backdrop to celebrate another successful community task. A fantastic one-hour session, great teamwork and another local community space left cleaner, brighter and ready to welcome the people who rely on it.

7 GoodGymers walked, ran and cycled their way to St Paul’s C of E Primary School to lend a hand transforming the reception playground, ready for the new school year in September.

It was a fun evening with plenty to get stuck into. We gave a ‘lollipop’ style fence a fresh coat of paint, making it once again bright and colourful ready for next term. The shed also got a much-needed makeover. Alongside the painting, we swept and weeded the area to make it spic and span!

For a few of us this task was especially meaningful with our children recently leaving St Paul’s to start secondary school. They may have moved on, but we clearly haven’t! It was lovely to give back to a school that’s meant so much to our families.

A great team effort and transformation.

Tonight was all about watering as the heatwave continues to keep everyone and the plants hot and thirsty.

Having located the handle for the water carriers and extra buckets Dave, Luke, Claire and Jonathan headed to the river to fill every bucket, wheelbarrow and watering can in sight.

Wheelbarrows loaded with water were wheeled over to the GoodGym flowerbed for watering all the plants to keep it looking colourful and keep them going for a few more days.

Meanwhile the water carriers were taken to the community garden and emptied into the waterbutts. As fast as they were filled they were emptied for watering all the vegetables.

By the end it was a slick operation emptying the water carriers into buckets and into the waterbutts.

In between all of this Tom and Laura managed to give the compost heaps a good turn as well.

Let hope we get some rain before our next visit.

Something a bit different on a boiling hot evening as it was all aboard the Thames Venturer for a clean-up.

The lovely old vessel, part of the River Boat Project as a floating classroom to teach children about the water, does get a bit dusty during the winter.

Petra, David and Dave were off sweeping and washing the deck, while Tom and Rachel cleaned the windows. Marcos, JP, Claire and Laura gathered fresh water to fill the tank on the boat with relay visits back to Teddington Lock Island.

Fun to be on the water in a lovely setting and hope to be back again another time. And welcome David on his first task.