This really is a ewe-nique task... Where else do you get the chance to stroke a donkey or nearly get your hand bitten off by a goat, while still doing good and without leaving London? Today we were clearing litter from the car park and the paths adjacent to the farm. While in some ways it was like having a country stroll in the (bonus) sunshine, we also filled our black bags with all sorts of rubbish and left feeling udderly satisfied.

Denise and I had a lovely time joining Friends of the Earth to weed and tidy up the beds by Morden Park. The sun shone and Spring didn’t feel too far away!

Welcome and well done to Denise on your first GoodGym mission, hopefully see you again soon

Despite the downpour we headed over to help Merton Rotary with setting up for their event. Joining forces with other volunteers we prepped the tables and got everything in place ahead of the guests arriving for the presentations.

I joined the volunteer crew at FoodCycle Mitcham as a host for the Thursday evening meal service. Working with the team I set the tables, kept guests topped up with teas and coffees, served a stunning 3-course meal and cleaned up. The crew and the guests were all very welcoming and I felt very fortunate to join in on enjoying some of the delicious food myself! The 14 guests were all delighted with the food, especially the carrot cake - I don't think anyone turned down seconds!

Swapping out of this week's group sessions for some networking at the Merton Green Spaces Forum. It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up with our many "Friends Of" groups from across the borough and meet the council's new green space contractors. Between the informative Q&A session and some productive conversations, we’ve spread the word about GoodGym in Merton and added a few more valuable contacts to our request list - meaning even more outdoor missions are on the horizon for 2026.

A quick stop at Martin Way Methodist Church tonight to help the team prepare for their first night shelter of 2026. Transforming the hall into a welcoming environment, setting out bedding and arranging the space to make it as cosy as possible for the guests. A heartwarming start to the year, ensuring a warm and comfortable night for those in need.