Our continuation of crafty November as 12 goodgymers got together for some active fun and volunteer joy, how festive!

This was probably one of our coldest runs yet this year, and all but one of us was wrapped up nice and warm - Michael, but at least the goodgym top was on display! Once again the lovely people at Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru, who have allowed us to use their space for this task.

Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is there to promote and protect the physical and mental health of persons who have autism spectrum conditions through the provision of assistance , support, education and practical advice and to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to autism. The promotion of social inclusion among persons who have ASC. Thanks to Neda for arranging this for us and waiting around.

Time to hit the streets and warm those cockles with a run / walk and of course a good ol' chat. Plenty to catch up on as the plans turn to Xmas celebrations, present buying and the yearly ice skating outing.

Crafting A-Game

The tasks at hand this week,

• Use one of the charity cards and write a message to a resident, staff or both for a local care home.
• Get crafty, printing stamps to make it even more festive.
• Gel pens, coloured markers for those wanting to get their draw on.
• Go the EXTRA mile and make your card with the coloured blank cards.
• HAVE FUN

Everyone was laughing and joking once again, the tea was on the go and we changed our resident DJ to Emma as we agreed this week Xmas tunes were allowed.

Suddenly - Michael remembered the special addition for the crafting this week and pulled out of the magic running bag, edible spray glitter.

We were finished by 8pm, tidied up and went to continue the social, mostly covered in glitter.

join us next week as we complete our last task for Christmas for CAMHS - all materials will be provided again, before sending off the packs to Bath.

A mixed bag today, starting our Xmas tasks on Bonfire night. Our usual set up slightly changed as we went for a run first then headed to the office for Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru, who had wonderfully allowed us to use their space for this task. The task, was helping Christmas for CAMHS with their paper-chain project.

Christmas for CAMHS said -

Our paper chains are a team effort - they will be started by members of the public (like you!), and then the young people will connect them together when they arrive in the CAMHS units. Each paper chain will have a cheesy cracker joke written on the inside (we need you to do that bit too!) to add an extra bit of fun during assembly.

Paper chains, as well as being an awesome decorations that are suitable for most CAMHS units, symbolise connectedness. For young people in CAMHS units it’s really important to feel connected to the outside world and to not feel forgotten. Making these special paper chains, which will be a team effort between the community and the young people on CAMHS wards, is a real opportunity to provide a tangible reminder of that we are all still connected despite everything.

We went on a simple out and back for 40 minutes, we had runners, joggers and walkers all ready to get out and active. It's a great way to invigorate yourself during the darker evenings, and when it's followed by a great crafty session - well there's nothing better! We ended our run outside the office that was helping us this week with a space, Michael had already dropped off a few things earlier ready for the craftiness. Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is there to promote and protect the physical and mental health of persons who have autism spectrum conditions through the provision of assistance , support, education and practical advice and to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to autism. The promotion of social inclusion among persons who have ASC. Thanks to Neda for arranging this for us after a brief conversation on last weeks task. you are a STAR.

3, 2, 1 - let's get crafty

The tasks at hand,

• cutting the wrapping paper to the correct width using scissors
• use the paper guillotine and trimmers these pieces into strips
• write a joke on each strip, decorate with a drawing or two
• have fun!

Everyone was in great spirits tonight, laughing and joking whilst catching up with one another. Our resident DJ Darren started the tunes - with an instant NO from Michael at that Christmas song - far too early. Instead, we agreed on firework / bonfire related tunes.

We were finished by 8pm, tidied up and went to continue the social, join us next week as we start our cards for care homes task - you can write the cards or get crafty and make some if you want too - all materials will be provided again.

Our second week of litter picking, and it has to be said that Cardiff is looking good..... And not just because of goodgym.

Da iawn

Tonight four of us met to hit the City Centre and a popular cycle / walk route. We started with a nice catch up outside our meet point, and some great stories from the weekend. Then headed out for a walk along the route surveying the area, then time to turn around....

turn around bright eyes

And the litter pick began, an unknown competition was being held and judged by our designated bag holder..... We found the usual litter along the way (most in a car park), as well as bags of biscuits

Let's get ready to crumble

Was there a winner, of course, it's Cardiff. Always a winner when goodgym get out to do some good.