Our GoodGym Barking & Dagenham mission at Gale Street Community Garden was one to remember.

The energy was uplifting, the teamwork inspiring, and the sense of purpose undeniable.

Having Ivo join us brought an extra spark of motivation, while Harry stepped up effortlessly into the skipper’s role, guiding the group with calm confidence and enthusiasm.

Together, we rolled up our sleeves for some much needed tasks: weeding stubborn patches, watering thirsty plants, clearing paths, filling the water tanks, and even a spot of litter picking to keep the garden looking its best. Every small action added up, leaving the space more welcoming for everyone who visits.

But GoodGym is never just about the tasks. It’s about why we do what we do. GoodGym connects fitness with kindness, whilst turning energy into positive action for the community. By supporting places like Gale Street Community Garden, we’re caring for our shared spaces and plants; we’re cultivating wellbeing, unity, and a greener, brighter environment for all.

Community gardens are powerful spaces. They bring people together, offer fresh air, encourage sustainable habits, and provide a safe, shared place where friendships can grow alongside the flowers and vegetables. Supporting them means supporting healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.

Volunteering adds so much more than physical results. It lifts spirits, strengthens mental health, builds awareness of the challenges around us, and nurtures a sense of responsibility. The feel good factor is undeniable; moving, sweating, and smiling together gives a boost no gym session could match.

A heartfelt thank you to Breda and Nassaba, as always, for guiding us every step of the way. Your encouragement keeps us going, and your presence reminds us of the power of community spirit.

Gale Street Community Garden is proof that when people come together to give their time, even for an hour, change happens.

We left not just with dirt on our gloves, but with lighter hearts, stronger bonds, and the knowledge that together, we made a difference.

#goodgym #goodgymbd #thewanderinglondoner

Our GoodGym Barking & Dagenham mission at Gale Street Community Garden was one to remember.

The energy was uplifting, the teamwork inspiring, and the sense of purpose undeniable.

Having Ivo join us brought an extra spark of motivation, while Harry stepped up effortlessly into the skipper’s role, guiding the group with calm confidence and enthusiasm.

Together, we rolled up our sleeves for some much needed tasks: weeding stubborn patches, watering thirsty plants, clearing paths, filling the water tanks, and even a spot of litter picking to keep the garden looking its best. Every small action added up, leaving the space more welcoming for everyone who visits.

But GoodGym is never just about the tasks. It’s about why we do what we do. GoodGym connects fitness with kindness, whilst turning energy into positive action for the community. By supporting places like Gale Street Community Garden, we’re caring for our shared spaces and plants; we’re cultivating wellbeing, unity, and a greener, brighter environment for all.

Community gardens are powerful spaces. They bring people together, offer fresh air, encourage sustainable habits, and provide a safe, shared place where friendships can grow alongside the flowers and vegetables. Supporting them means supporting healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.

Volunteering adds so much more than physical results. It lifts spirits, strengthens mental health, builds awareness of the challenges around us, and nurtures a sense of responsibility. The feel good factor is undeniable; moving, sweating, and smiling together gives a boost no gym session could match.

A heartfelt thank you to Breda and Nassaba, as always, for guiding us every step of the way. Your encouragement keeps us going, and your presence reminds us of the power of community spirit.

Gale Street Community Garden is proof that when people come together to give their time, even for an hour, change happens.

We left not just with dirt on our gloves, but with lighter hearts, stronger bonds, and the knowledge that together, we made a difference.

#goodgym #goodgymbd #thewanderinglondoner

Special Energy Tonight's mission at Gale Street Organic Community Garden had a special energy, thanks to new GoodGymmers joining the team.

🥳 Special well done to Irina for walking all the way from Ilford to Becontree (and back) to join their first ever B&D mission. Also a huge congratulations to Jemima and Alison for completing their first ever GoodGym session!

5️⃣ tasks With sleeves rolled up and tools in hand, we took on not one but FIVE tasks to improve this precious green space for everyone who uses it.

💧+🌽 Jemima got stuck in with two tasks straight away - decanting water out of one of the rainwater tanks into five watering cans, then taking the watering cans to the four large vegetable patches to water the very thirsty courgettes, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers.

🏋 @Irina pounced on "the pile" that needed lifting & moving (old kitchen cabinets, broken wheelbarrows, etc.) and was soon joined by Steven and Harry. The threesome made light work of relocating the pile to make way for the potting shed to be moved here.

🛠️ Emdad and Alison joined Nassaba (Elevate Together) in dismantling the small potting shed, removing the internal panelling and unscrewing the wallpanels before carefuly carrying the pieces taken to their new home on the other side of the garden. Once reassembled, it will serve as a secure and easily accessible spot for storing potting tools and gardening gear.

Incredible teamwork 🤜🤛 Our 6 strong team of GoodGymmers worked in perfect unison, seamlessly switching from task to task to offer extra support at critical points. Everyone got a chance to do different workouts at different task stations - lifting rainwater tanks, squatting to reach the low screws in the shed, pulling hard at "the pile" to free it form the overgrowth, and completing reps from the rainwater tanks to the vegetable patches.

Local lead Breda and Nassaba from Elevate Together were on hand to fully support our effort, helping coordinate tasks and cheering everyone on.

What's it all for? 🌱 Tonight's tasks aren't just about appearances. A safer, more organised garden space means neighbours can plant, pot, and prune with confidence. For many, the garden is a quiet retreat and a place to meet friends, enjoy fresh air, and connect with nature right in the heart of the community.

🙌 Spaces like Gale Street don’t just grow flowers and vegetables - they grow friendships, resilience, and wellbeing. Outdoor volunteering is proven to boost both physical health and mental clarity. And when GoodGymmers turn up, they not only bring muscle but a spirit of co-operation that inspires the whole neighbourhood.

Emdad (TaskForce) & Steven (Area Activator)

Our GoodGym Barking & Dagenham team had a mission to complete last night and we were reinforced with FOUR new members!

The large rainwater containers at the Organic Community Garden opposite Becontree Station in Dagenham had become inaccessible, leaving the garden’s water supply out of reach during a crucial summer growing period.

Without access to this precious rainwater, the garden’s fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs risked going thirsty.

Together, we got to work.

New member Emma launched straight in pruning he trees around the the containers to gain access, whilst the rest of us pondered how to get access to the back of the container as tress were growing either side seemingly blocking access.

New GoodGymmer Peter didn't hold back. Spotting another route, jumping up on to the container and clambering over the top, slipping effortlessly down the back. Working together with Ryan, the pair made light work lifting the empty 1000 litre container ready for bricks to be slid underneath.

Who needs to do dead lifts in the gym?!

At the same time, new members Sharmin and Nilu worked with Steven and Emdad to empty the smaller shed and sort it's contents.

Sadly, an attempt had been made to steal the shed some time ago and the roof had been completely destroyed. Apparently not uncommon, the attempt to take the shed was thwarted by Breda's cunning move of bolting the floor the ground! However the contents has suffered from the weather.

Seven GoodGymmers. 45 minutes. 2 tasks completed.

Thanks to our team effort, the taps of the rainwater containers are accessible again, and the plants can be watered with fresh rainwater collected from earlier summer showers. The shed is empty, ready to be dismantled and relocated.

Tonight's session was just one part of an ongoing transformation. Over the summer, the garden is being prepared to host wellness sessions like yoga and mindfulness, as well as planting workshops, children’s activities, and community cooking events.

GoodGymmers in Barking & Dagenham have committed to helping with tasks such as pruning fruit trees, renovating the garden, moving and restoring the shed, and painting key features around the space.

Guided by Breda and Nassaba from Elevate Together, we worked safely and effectively with a relaxed, productive, and energising vibe surrounded by community spirit and the sounds of nature.

Volunteering in green spaces like this has huge benefits - physically, it keeps us active and strong; mentally, it reduces stress, boosts mood, and fosters connection.

GoodGym combines fitness with community action, which is why it’s such a powerful force in neighbourhoods across the UK. It brings people together, creates purpose, and supports those who need it most, especially vital in the face of ongoing financial cutbacks to local services.

Big thanks to our Area Activator, Steven, for organising everything so smoothly.

If you’re new to GoodGym, we’d love for you to join us. Our sessions are open, inclusive, and friendly, and out community partners need more helping hands.

Let’s keep making a difference, one step, one mission!

See you soon, Emdad (TaskForce member)

How you doing Peter?

Very good. Nice and dry

Setting off from Barking Station, GoodGymmers took a gentle jog to Westbury Community Garden – gentle in the sense that Emdad needed us to slow down in places to they could capture some photos and videos of us. Eventualy crossing the rail tracks at the green bridge, we looped back to the garden - nestled under the Ripple Road flyover, next to the District Line.

I didn’t even know this footbridge exists… oh, this is the community garden, I must have driven past here a million times. (Peter, B&D GoodGymmer)

Part of the reason for setting up GoodGym B&D was to help locals discover more of their community, so it is always pleasing hearing comments like this.

Despite several hopeful pleas from the group, the rain did not “quickly pass". Not only that, as a newly created river serenely glided down Wedderburn Road, Harry emphatically confirmed “I’ve not seen this a much rain in Barking, and I’ve lived here for 6 years.”

Fortunately, the location of the table being built was under a tree with generous overhanging branches and a full leaf canopy, which diverted most of the rain away from GoodGymmers.

Despite the weather, there was a significant sense of satisfaction of completing a task that had been waiting months for completion. Generously gifted by local Abbey Ward Councillors, the heavy table-top needed all 6 pairs of hands to lift and glide it into position.

"I can't thank you enough, we couldn't have got this done without you" (Tim, project lead, Westbury Community Garden)

This is what GoodGym is all about – short bursts of volunteering power to get those practical and physical tasks complete that small community groups would otherwise struggle to get done. After only 30 minutes of sustained focus, problem solving and team work – all bolts on the table were secure.

The result? Local groups that use the garden - such as the Scouts, Salvation Army, faith groups, food growing clubs and more – as well as local residents now have a new focal point to gather round. There will also be somewhere to sit for the upcoming community BBQ.

More tasks are planned soon for this hidden gem – Tim has much to do – weeding the fruit tree beds, removing the dead trees, installing a shed, mulching and more. We can’t wait to come back, hopefully when the sun is shining!

See you soon, Steven