The weather could not make up its mind on Sunday morning when 7 GoodGymers (plus Pascal!) headed out to the Serenity Gardens in Highfields Park. Thankfully, by the time we had arrived, the sun was out and we set to work on planting a row of new shrubs which will create a boundary for the garden. The idea is that this will direct walkers around the path so that they do not trample across the grass area and near to the trees and plaques which have been lovingly installed by bereaved families.

For the most part, we found digging the holes fairly easy but did come across a few troublesome stones, manhole covers and bricks to work around. Some of us also helped remove an old kerb stone which took a fair bit of digging and levering. After the bushes were planted, we also helped with weeding some of the flower beds and strimming around the trees and plaques.

We had no first-timers today but welcomed back Sehrish, Gaurav and Andrew to their second tasks - thanks for coming back guys!

The Serenity Garden is a beautiful space owned and run by Forever Stars, a local charity dedicated to supporting families who have suffered a stillbirth or infant loss. Thank you to Daniel and Martyn for hosting us and to the charity for allowing us to come and be part of something so special. We would love to return and help out some more soon.

What a fantastic morning!

We were part of a huge team helping to transform the school's massive play areas and open spaces.

Our contact Adele had one particular task in mind for us - moving some massive cable reels downhill to create a new playspace in a wooded area. Tom, Robert and our brand new member Andrew took care of the rolling while Rachel and Leah made sure the littlest GoodGymers were occupied and out of the way while tidying the remaining materials.

Next, we took some rubbish down to the bins (including tents!) and joined in with digging the sandpit, moving some very heavy metal picnic benches across the field, and shifting tyres and wheelbarrows full of the excavated soil up to yet another play area.

Definitely a firm favourite task for us all!