🎦 see the Insta reel about this session here

⛔ Despite 3 other GoodGymmers (no names 😜) signing up for tonight's big session at Westbury Community Garden in Barking.... Everyone was a no show...

🙈Wash out!

💪However, GoodGym keeps on doing good and getting fit, no matter what

🌳Area Activator Steven went it alone.

🏃After running the 500m from Barking Station, Steven joined Tim at the Garden to dismantle the old table and start digging up the stinging nettle roots!

👋That's all folks.

👀See you Saturday 20th September AM for next session at Barking Food Forest where we'll be helping Nikhil continue building the new greenhouse.

Happy GoodGymming

🍿🎥✮⋆˙ See the Insta reel about this session here

☎️ The BAD phone rang (Barking and Dagenham GoodGym – see what I did there?) 15 mins before task time, our host Nassaba was checking in about H&S what with the rain and wind... then 5 mins later an email from a regular GoodGymmer (no names) that it's too wet to travel in.

💥 ...but 3 GoodGymmers persevered and we smashed our 12th task – this time at Gale Street Community Garden.

🌦️ The rain had literally just stopped by the time we arrived; the sun was threatening to come out... Peter, Virginia, Steven and our host Nassaba from Elevate Together didn’t hesitate and got stuck straight in.

♻️ Litter picking was the first task – we were led down a recently formed path between the shrubs into a newly accessible area of the garden. Waist high wild grass, birds singing, apple trees – it really is an urban paradise.

🦊 Peter and Virginia collected 8 bags of litter in total and made some curious discoveries. Half a fox carcass ( 😢 ) and a slow worm (type of snake).

🚿 Steven and Nassaba headed straight to the back of the shed to start emptying the 3rd of 4 huge rainwater tanks (1000 litres each!) in preparation to raise it up – making the taps more accessible.

😏 All felt very smug that we didn’t let Brida down – the local resident who’s been custodian of the garden for over 20 years.

Our mission at Gale Street Organic Community Garden was one to remember.

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

Having Ivo (GoodGym's CEO) 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.

With Peter and Virginia coming back for their second session ( 🎉 ), along with Irina and Emdad - our group of 6 GoodGymmers rolled up their sleeves: 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 Organic 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.

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)