Today four of us made our way to Borough to help Age UK Southwark and Lambeth. Rebecca from Age UK was there to guide us through. They had received donations of tablets for their Digital Inclusion Campaign. The aim was simple; to set up the tablets with Gmail and Zoom accounts. The desired impact was clear; to help vulnerable older people reduce their isolation and better manage their shopping online. We thought we would breeze through the task. But how wrong were we!

Gmail requires text message verification to set up an account, but the tablets weren't designed to accept sim cards. We thought we'd be clever and register them all to Rebecca's work phone. Google was one step ahead, of course. We could only register two accounts to a single phone number. To add to the fun, each tablet had its own quirks and challenges.

Cue calm and orderly chaos! Fuelled by crisps and chocolates generously laid out by Age UK, we did manage to get most of the tablets set up and we had a laugh while we were at it.

I had a flexible afternoon so I agreed to spend it setting up some tablets for Age UK Southwark. Unfortunately no one else was able to, so it was just me!

Age UK had 16 tablets which they will distribute to older people in the community. My task was to set the tablets up with new SIM Cards, Gmail, Zoom and WhatsApp. This will help them remain more connected whilst physically isolated through this pandemic.

I'm not great at tech at the best of times and there were a few niggles... For example, some of the email addresses already had Zoom accounts linked to them and a phone number (hidden of course) that I didn't know! I couldn't log in without a verification code Zoom texted that number... But one thing all GoodGym-mers have is excellent problem solving skills.

They say that the definition of madness is trying the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Whoever said it hadn't met these tablets. Doing the same thing over and over until it worked a treat, I managed to set up 11 of the 16 tablets.

Five GoodGymers spent a festive Monday helping Age UK Lewisham and Southwark pack "Winter Goodie Bags" for their service users for Christmas.

Harriet greeted us all and showed us the socially distanced packing stations she had set up. Poor Laura was the last to arrive, and so had to be more socially distanced than the rest, in a different room!

Each pack needed a leaflet, thermometer, gloves, colouring pencils, an activity pack, a candy cane and some rather snazzy socks! We all got to work, packing systematically to a soundtrack of Christmas tunes.

We were so efficient that we ran out of supplies before they had all been delivered. We decided to go on a lunchtime adventure into London Bridge (not somewhere I have been much this year!) to do our bit for the country's economy and buy an overpriced coffee each from Pret. It was a weird treat to be back in Pret again, and I topped it off with a visit to Leon for my lunch!

On our return, more supplies had been delivered which meant we could finish our packing. We cleared up, and Gemma stamped the bags with Age UK's contact details.

Harriet was really pleased with what we got done, a whopping 430 bags all in all! It was so nice to do something that felt Christmassy. and to think that some older people in the area would be getting a little Christmas present in the next few days.

Happy Christmas everyone!