Can we join forces with the Tidy Up Team of Brighton & Hove Council, and local community volunteers to make a difference? Yes, we can.

Can we support the Hanover & Elm Grove Community Forum, Hanover Action, and the Phoenix Estate in their weeding efforts? Yes, we can.

Can we help create cleaner, greener, and more welcoming streets for everyone to enjoy? Yes, we can.

Can we come together as neighbours, volunteers, and friends to strengthen our community spirit? Yes, we can.

Can we show that teamwork and care can transform our shared spaces? Yes, we can.

Can we show up energised and leave feeling satisfied ? Yes, we can

We caught some beautiful autumn sun for our September trail run around Stanmer Park. 7 goodgymmers completed the 13km loop to and from Stanmer via an ascent of Ditchling Beacon. We welcomed Mike for his first Goodgym session too (although definitely not his first sojourn around Stanmer!).

We all went for a freshly pressed apple juice afterwards at the Stanmer Village Apple Harvest and several people continued on to help out there too.

The route is here although I'm not sure how long it remains available on the website so there is a screenshot in the photos too.

Today, I showed up a little late to One Church on Florence Road, where preparations were already underway for Sunday’s meal that will be shared with people facing homelessness. By the time I arrived, Steph was already busy peeling the cardamom, Sonam had taken charge of marinating the chicken, and Dan was keeping everything in order with cleaning and dishes.

Wanting to be useful, I joined in by helping to ground some seeds, taking photos to capture the wonderful spirit of the moment, and doing my part to keep the team motivated. Together, we worked for about 2–3 hours — chatting, exchanging stories, laughing, and soaking up the incredible knowledge and wisdom of Chef John, who guided us through the process with his experience and generosity.

By the end, we all felt lighter and better for having contributed, even in small ways, toward tomorrow’s meal. With smiles and gratitude, we said our goodbyes and headed off in different directions, carrying with us the warmth of community and service.

From the Austrian Alps to a GoodGym’s 'green community mission' in the lovely garden of roses in Vale Park, with a grand group: 15 GoodGymers – a great return to Good Gym-ing, yesterday!

Less great was the daily news: "One of the lions has passed", as Out of Africa movie’s co-star Meryl Streep said about Robert Redford, the "true Hollywood legend" actor, director, Sundance film festival founder and decades-long environmental activist, who passed away yesterday, aged 89.

This news might be relatively less touching for most of my fellow GoodGymers in Brighton, but your Area Activator, Stefania, has been hiding a secret love for Robert since its early teenager years, when she fell in love for the actor after watching “Out of Africa”, considered by my mum as my first adult cinema experience. It was love at first sight, on-screen! When I turned 40, I also received a massive bouquet of roses with a lovely message from Robert, via Interflora - it was actually a lovely gift from my friend Manuela 😊

Nevertheless, I like to dedicate our GoodGym green action of caring for Vale Park’s roses to my favourite actor, and secret love 😉. Here are some other tribute quotes: "He was a beautiful person in every way", “One of his kind”, "He championed progressive values like protecting the environment and access to the arts while creating opportunities for new generations of activists and filmmakers."

Robert was a hero for a lot of us. I will keep alive my long-lasting love and administration for such a trueful star believing that what counts is the story that we tell from our Good actions. Then, Let’s!

Welcome Paolo, Nathan, Susie to GoodGym Brighton, doing positive stuff for the environment ... a little bit like my Robert 😉

I woke up this Sunday feeling extra-Palestinian. That feeling brought to mind a story my father once shared with me: when he was young in Tiberias, Palestine, Friday mornings were a community ritual. Families and neighbors would gather outside, sweep the streets, chat with one another, and together keep their neighborhood clean.

Inspired by that memory, I reached out to the Friends of Palmeira and Adelaide and discovered they had a gardening volunteering session scheduled. I joined them, broom in hand, and began sweeping up fallen leaves. By the end, I had collected a full bag of leaves for composting.

After thanking the friendly people there and saying my goodbyes, I returned home with a lighter heart—feeling better, grounded, and even more Brightonian and Palestinian.