5 GoodGym-ers ran 1km (a hyper-local mission!) to help out at the Waterloo Street Community Garden, a much loved community space 100% staffed by volunteers, 100% organically tended and 100% funded by donations and applied-for grants.

Shimmering with true secret garden vibes, the space is accessed through an ornate arch guarded by a statue with legendary local status. Once inside, you cannot help but be cheered by the lush tropical palms and colourful blooms nestled in an array of pots lining the secluded courtyard.

We donned our gardening gloves while the cheerful and industrious volunteers already hard at work set us to task moving and sweeping, weeding and cleaning. As we worked, the group explained more about their upcoming visit from a respresentative from the Royal Horticultural Society's 'It's Your Neighbourhood' programme. This programme supports local communities in greening community spaces through support, mentoring and connecting communities with network of other like minded groups across the country. Registration to the scheme is also incredibly useful for small, grassroots (pun intended) groups in applying for ongoing funds to keep their spaces thriving.

The brewing storm clouds finally burst just as we finished work, giving the garden a much needed water and the GG crew a refreshing run home.

Excellent pun courtesy of Philippa :)