Last night we went back to one of our favourite tasks at the awesome Gorse Hill Studios.

We were tasked with clearing out the raised bed and tidying up the rest of the garden which it would be fair to say had been overtaken by the prolific Mare's Tail.

An hour later and we'd done the lot and chatted about all sorts, as per.

Well done everyone, see you next week!

Five of our lovely GoodGymers ran to help Gorse Hill Studios and Trafford Domestic Abuse Service to help with the next phase of the move for the service into their new home.

We met as usual at St Matthews Community Hall and chatted about our news for the week and got ourselves warmed up and ready for the run. As we were a small (yet perfectly formed) group we ran up to Gorse Hill Studios together putting the world to rights as we did so.

On our arrival we were met by the most delicious smells coming from the Care Leavers cookery class which set us all off drooling and wondering what was on the menu at our respective homes!

Caroline explained our task to us which was to help with the next phase of TDAS moving into some office space at GSH. (Eagle eyed regular readers may remember that the first task of 2020 for the GG TRafford team was to clear the office space and take apart some furniture). Imagine our excitement when we saw the transformation of the space since we had been there last....it looks amazing! It was really great to see the progression and to continue our support for both TDAS and Gorse Hill Studios.

While we were there we:

• Emptied out filing cabinets
• Shifted furniture around to make best use of the space
• Tidied up the comprehensive stationery cupboard

Not bad going for a team of five! Once we'd completed our tasks we headed back home still wondering what was for tea! After a stretch off we headed our separate ways to find out!

Thanks for a great effort all and see you next time, Kate x

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last night was our first Group run/walk and task of the new decade and what a night it was with some lovely new faces joining us for the first or second time and also people attending to find out about individual coach running!

Once we had welcomed the New Year in and chatted about all things GoodGym, we spoke about the task/ route and plan for the run for the evening which was to help Gorse Hill Studios have a bit of a sort out.

We warmed up and then set off with the "Pace crew" cantering off into the distance and then cantering back to meet us in the second group who were clipping along at a steady rate. Our stalwart GoodGym-er and resident tech expert John backmarked and kept us all on the straight and narrow as per. :-)

Once we had arrived at GHS we met Caroline who gave us some of the background and history of the centre which is a hub for educational and creative arts for young people not in mainstream education and all sorts of community groups including Trafford Youth Council and the Care Leavers group. Facilities include a theatre, music studio, kitchen, garden and arts area.

Those who were new to the GHS were shown round the facilities by the first Apprentice to work there, Olivia while the rest of the team took stock of what was needed of us...

Our task was to sort out a room full of furniture so that it can be hired out as additional income for GSH as it is now responsible for sorting its own revenue streams out.

The room before we got our hands on it!

After searching out Allen keys and other implements we set to and took apart 5 large desks, rejigged furniture and created a space that can now be hired out for meetings of up to 15 people creating an additional revenue stream until another local community group move in to use that room. And all in 30 minutes!

WELL DONE TEAM!

TA-DA!!!

We said our GoodGym goodbyes to Caroline and ran (chatted) back to base (St Matthews Community Hub) where we stretched off and discussed the task for next week - which is painting at Cheeky Cherubs CIC in Urmston. Click here to sign up and give me a shout at kate@goodgym.org if you have any queries about anything.

BIG shout out to...

Elaine who has completed 10 good deeds for GoodGym Trafford! Well done and thanks Elaine - it's great to have you on the team.

And big up to brand newbies, second timers, not been for a whilers, newly official members and nearly at 100 deed=ers. You are all great!

Nigel Lois Aimee Molly Anna Tracey Clare Fiona John Nicola Sana

Thanks all and see you next time. Until then, happy running! Kate x

9 of our smashing GoodGymers yet again doubled up last night and did TWO festive tasks to help out in the local community. We just can't help but help!

We met as per at St Matthew's Community Hub at 6.30 where we discussed our news and were very excited to get a lovely Christmas card from one of our original members who is out on manoeuvres at the moment and updating us on his news. Merry Christmas to you!

Fab team!

Once we'd recorded a group message to send on our whatsapp group back, we warmed up and split into two teams.

Whilst our advance team ran up to Gorse Hill Studios to start helping them decorate their entrance hall and stairwell for the fast approaching festive season, our super speedy tree decorators helped our lovely base location by putting up their Christmas tree ready for a special rememberance bauble service that's coming up. They then galloped up to meet us and we all set to to transform the place.

Festive head gear in place we tinselled, baubled and even made our own decorations whilst listening to festive tunes and some epic Christmas karaoke that was going on!

Thank you so much, it looks lovely!

We even got the approval of Santa which means we're not on the naughty list this year!

After our inaugural GoodGym Trafford Fairy Light switch on we said our goodbyes and made our way back to the start location where we stretched off and chatted about next week's session - a fitness session and Christmas Social including treats and a Christmas sing-a-long with our very own Vicky. We can't wait - see you there!

Have a fabulously festive week!

Live from Gorse Hill Studios...

GoodGym: The RETURN

A whopping well done to our fab team of Trafford GoodGym-ers who returned to Gorse Hill Studios to finish off the clearance of their front garden last night ahead of them repurposing it for growing produce to be cooked in the their new kitchen.

As usual we met at our base location of St Matthew's Community Hall in Stretford at 6.30pm where we had a chat about the task, warmed up and set our Stravas to stun before heading off up Chester Road (with a lot of footie fans) to GSH.

We were introduced to the task and the studios by Liv who gave us an ace tour and really brought the benefit of the facilities to life for us all...

Above, drama is life for Jon

Once we had got into the CUPBOARD OF DREAMS (aka tool shed) we set about trimming, clearing and scraping the the heck out of the patio...

She's got the key, she's got the secret...

We whacked some feel good tunes on and really transformed the space ready for it's revamp...

After we had congratulated ourselves on another job really well done we tidied away and made our way back to base in two teams, with different lengths of run route home.

All re-assembled, we stretched off and chatted about our group run/ task for next week, wished Isaac luck for his upcoming fitness assessment and also races for Martin and John. Good luck all!

Big shout to Fiona who is making massive strides on her running - keep up the good work! Special mention also to Isaac and Vicky who have been on every single GoodGym Trafford Group run which now makes six on the bounce! And big thanks to Jo who backmarked us admirably.

See you all next time!

As part of GoodGym's massive #GGSuperSaturday 10th birthday challenge to organise as many Community Missions as possible (over 50 at the last count), our brilliant GoodGym team tackled the overgrown garden at the fab Gorse Hill Studios which is a hub for all kinds of arts activities for young people.

Massive GoodGym welcome and well done to Maddie and Juanita who joined us for the very first time. Also to Jo who managed to beat the flu to join us and to Mishy and Jo for just being plain awesome. Big thanks for giving up some time on a precious sunny Saturday... YOU ROCK!

We were welcomed to the task by Caroline who explained about the wide range of arts that young people can take part in at the Studio and also what was needed in the garden. Once we got over the excitement of "cabinet of dreams" (the tool shed!) we set to and weeded and tidied the previously hidden borders and planters enjoying the glorious weather while we did it!

We had lots of time for chat as we went and we all felt really made a difference in the hour that we were there.

it's looking loads better already, GoodGym Trafford have smashed it!

The good news is that we are returning to GHS on Wednesday for our group run to finish off the job! Click here to sign up!

After we had patted ourselves on the back, half of us ran back to St M's and were rewarded with finding a cake sale on our return. We can confirm that happiness truly is tea and cake, especially when you've earned it!

Thanks all and see you again soon