Turning out to help the Allotment of Refuge project on a chilly January afternoon, three GoodGymers found that carrying a stack of planks up a hill was a great way of keeping body temperatures high – aided by the warm satisfaction of knowing that this awesome community project is now one step closer to beginning its Big Shed Build.

Allotment of Refuge on One Tree Hill in Honor Oak is a food growing project run by Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) to provide fresh produce for its foodbank and a positive outdoors experience for people who have experienced forced migration. The charity team is planning to build a large new shed beside the growing plot, so needs lots of help with clearing the ground and moving donated planks into place. Work will continue in two weeks time – we will be back!

Undaunted by the uphill route from the edge of Ladywell Fields to the new Iona Orchard paths, Emer and Linda spent a couple of cheerful hours wheelbarrowing woodchip into place. Now the paths are clearly marked as a safe forest trail for pre-school children and their parents exploring during nature sessions. This was Emer’s first ever task with Goodgym – a really good all-body workout! – and, for Linda, so local that she was able to pop home to get an extra wheelbarrow for use by the volunteer team.