Making a Final Push in Church Community Garden Transformation

After many months of dedication, persistence, and muddy boots, the GoodGym Worthing team returned once again to the Church Community Rooms garden — a space we’ve been battling with for quite some time. The weeds nearly won on more than one occasion, but our team’s resilience and determination proved stronger. Through every season and in all types of weather, we’ve shown up to transform this once-overgrown patch into a usable and welcoming garden space.

Finishing Touches With Val and Rik

This evening’s task saw us helping our longtime community partners, Val and Rik, with the final touches. On our last visit, we had begun the groundwork for laying membrane under paving slabs — a key step in reclaiming the garden from the weeds. Today’s mission was to complete that task and edge the slabs with recycled bricks for a neat and finished look.

A Team Effort

John, Ryan, and Craigrolled up their sleeves and tackled the heavy-duty job of positioning and bedding in the final slabs. Working with precision, they ensured the black membrane was neatly in place before setting each slab down securely.

Meanwhile, the precision team — Sarah, Gillybean and Megan took on the meticulous challenge of laying the recycled bricks along the edge of the path. This wasn’t a task for the just anyone ! Each brick took about five minutes to dig in and position perfectly, and their attention to detail made all the difference ( even if Sarah did keep shoving soil into where I was digging ! 😂

Ricky and I were on some solid groundwork, digging out and preparing the final areas with spades before the precision team moved in to finish the job.

Whilst all this was happening Belinda Belinda was a whirlwind of efficiency, busily weeding and hoeing the entire garden area with energy and flair. Her efforts gave the space an instant lift and left it looking tidy and well maintained. Craig also helped by transferring over from the slabs and raking over the freshly hoed area.

With some final massive slab action from John , Ryan and Craig together with Gills finishing touch of sweeping the slabs we called it an evening.

A Victory Over the Weeds

What once seemed like an overwhelming and never-ending battle with weeds has been transformed into a meaningful and beautiful community space. It’s been a long journey, but one defined by teamwork, consistency, and a shared belief in making a difference.

A huge well done to all involved — tonight and over the many months that came before. The garden stands as a testament to what can be achieved when good people turn up, again and again, rain or shine.

Barbara’s 70th Birthday & Summer Social

What a fantastic evening at Goring Gap — a true celebration of community, good deeds, and a very special milestone!

This week’s GoodGym task brought us to one of Worthing’s local beauty spots for a litter pick, but this was no ordinary mission. We also had the joy of celebrating a 70th birthday and hosting our summer social — and it was all rolled into one unforgettable event.

A Birthday Good Deed

It’s a real credit toBarbara generous spirit that she chose to spend her birthday giving back, joining us for the litter pick on her special day. The Birthday Girl was met with a lovely surprise — a visit fromLucy ! It was so good to see you, Lucy, and your timing couldn’t have been better.

Barbara was joined by a strong GoodGym turnout:Mel andPaul , Stéphane](/v3/profile/stephane-forrer) (who’s almost fully recovered from his recent bike accident — though a reminder to avoid shaking his still-broken hand!), and the always-enthusiastic Anne,Paul , Roxy Daisy, andCraig . This dream team made short work of the litter, filling multiple bags and even heading back for more. A great effort from everyone!

Food, Fun, and Festivities

With Goring Gap sparkling once again, we made our way to the greensward where the second part of the evening kicked off.

,John , El and Gillybean had set up a brilliant BBQ area and were busy cooking up a feast with food kindly brought by John. Everyone chipped in with a spread of nibbles, cakes, and drinks, turning the evening into a true celebration. Gill was brilliant with all the cooking and tidying up too.

We were joined by Barbara's son Matthew - it was lovely to see him on his Mums special evening. Nick also made a guest appearance. It was also lovely to see Tamsin and Jemmie who brought along the game Corn Hole This was great fun and was also was enjoyed by a handful of us John was victorious despite Jemima trying her absolute best to beat him !

We wrapped up with a perfect moment — presenting Barbara with a beautifully framed collection of memories to honour her birthday and her incredible commitment to volunteering. It was smiles all around as we captured the moment with some great group photos.

Thank you Barbara for being such an inspiration, and thank you to everyone who came and made this such a special GoodGym evening. Here’s to many more good deeds, good food, and great company!

The Return of the Weeds: A Garden Showdown at the Community Rooms

It was another sunny session at the Community Rooms garden, and our team of GoodGym volunteers turned up ready to do battle with a familiar foe: the relentless, ever-returning weeds! We were greeted by our task hosts Val and Rik.

Val's vision was clear - to create a pathway through the overgrowth in preparation for laying paving stones down the middle of the garden. The weeds had clearly not taken a break since our last visit, but neither had our determination.

It was lovely to see Daisy back again, joining Barbara in tackling the thickets of stubborn weeds with impressive speed and stamina. Roxy and Ricky were on weed-duty too, digging deep to loosen some particularly entrenched roots.

Meanwhile, Paula was on paving slab patrol — shifting heavy stones like a pro to clear space for the path. Paul and Craigproved to be absolute machines, digging out vast amounts of weeds and making light work of some truly overgrown sections.

As always, the teamwork and shared sense of purpose made even the toughest bits feel manageable. With the path almost ready for its new paving stones, we’re well on our way to transforming this community garden into a more accessible and welcoming space for everyone.

Until next time, weeds — we’ll be back!

Check out all the good stuff that's happening in the next month or so !

Have a great week 😄

Julia xx

Sunny Skies – A Worthing Beach Clean

On a gloriously sunny June evening, with the sea shimmering and the sky clear, our brilliant GoodGym Worthing crew gathered for a feel-good litter pick along the beach. The golden hour light set the perfect backdrop for a community-powered mission, and the sea breeze carried the cheerful energy of everyone arriving.

This evening’s team included our regularsGillybean , Roxy , Craig, Sue , Megan, and the ever-dedicatedStéphane – sporting a wrist splint but still smiling after his recent accident. True to form, he wasn’t going to let that stop him from getting stuck in!

It was also great to welcome Susan to a Monday night and what a perfect evening for it. However I must apologise for not capturing you on the group photo - I'm not quite sure how we lost you but you and I did enjoy a good chat together.

Armed with litter pickers, gloves, and good vibes, we split into small teams and made our way across the pebbles and promenade. It didn’t take long to uncover the usual suspects: crisp packets, bottles,cans, rogue flip-flops, and even the occasional mystery item best left unmentioned! We all headed under the pier to clear up the usual debris and took the opportunity for a stunning photo ( just a shame Susan isn't in it :(

With the sun still fairy high in the sky, the group gathered once more, bags feeling heavier. Together, we’d cleared a significant stretch of the beach, helping to protect our beautiful coastline and all who enjoy it.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made this evening not just productive but full of happy banter, camaraderie, and that unbeatable GoodGym buzz. Here's to many more sunny seaside missions!

#GoodGymWorthing #BeachCleanDreamTeam #WorthingWonders 🏖️🌞🦀

Bark and Broom

Another Monday and another GoodGym task :)

We returned to a task venue that we haven't been to since last year and one we used to visit very regularly. Kamelia Day Nursery used to be one specialising in care of babies and young children with extra needs but these days it welcomes all babies and toddlers.

This evening we met with Deputy Nursery Manager, Vicky who gave us a small wish list for this evening.We were asked to weed the mud kitchen area before laying new bark and raking it through. We were also asked to sweep the playground areas which had become covered with a thin layer of sand. John, Ricky and El got on with the sweeping which proved to be quite a job and needed further enforcements later !

Barbara set about doing some weeding followed by helping John with the sweeping of the sand he had carefully collected .The remainder of the team started on weeding the mud kitchen in advance of distributing the bark. I nipped home to pick up another broom which Roxy set to work with. By the time I got back all the bark had been beautifully distributed and raked into place. As I wasn't there to witness this transformation, all the team can take take credit for it ! However I have a feeling that Craig , Stéphane, Sarah and Ryan played a part !

After the bark was completed, Stephane did some great weeding and tidying of the border of the mud kitchen whilst everyone else pitched in with shifting the sand and other debris that had been collected.

Tools down and we discussed and arranged our next social ( the important things in life! ) which will be Monday 9th June after the task . Details TBC but it seems there will be a lot to celebrate again!

Have a great BH Monday - next week we will meet on Wednesday. Details to be uploaded later today.

Julia xx