This session we were back at the Bombed Out Church, completing our excellent work painting the final tables, stools and benches, taking on the Host Stand, and litter picking.

We welcomed new Goodgymmer Colin who joined us for his first task - welcome Colin! It was great to meet you.

Task owner Kate gave us a thorough briefing, and we split into groups, some taking on the painting, and some on litter-picking duty. The site initially looked fairly clear, though with some rummaging the team were able to fill several litter bags, including a pair of shoes (yes, the full pair), socks, and a rather lovely bowl. The painting team took it in turns swapping the large and small brushes, and efficiently finished painting the benches, tables and stools, before turning their attention to the larger Host Stand. Everyone got stuck in, whilst I was on the important tasks of project management, team co-ordination, quality control and torch holding.

The BOC team were again delighted with how much we achieved in such a short space of time, and booked another session there and then. Next time we'll be planting bulbs to prepare for a dazzling daffodil display in the spring!

Alas, every silver lining has a cloud, and the cloud hanging over this session was that our beloved Dan is moving on to pastures new, and this was his last session with Goodgym Liverpool - for now. Dan joined Goodgym Liverpool six months ago, and quickly became an integral member of the group. His love of litter picking, skills with the puns, way with wordsmithery and all-round fabulous company endeared him to all he met, and we're very sorry to see him go. But Dan won't be giving up on Goodgym, he'll be moving to Goodgym Hackney, who don't know how lucky they are to have him - yet. Dan leaves us as a taskforce member with a very respectable 26 good deeds under his belt. He's assured us he'll be back to visit, and the door is always open for him to (litter) pick up where he left off. Dan - it's been an absolute pleasure getting to know you, we hope to see you again very soon.

The team presented Dan with a card and a farewell gift of some thorn proof gardening gloves and his very own litter picking hoop (he already owns his own litter picker!), and he very kindly opened his home to us for some post-task refreshments for a proper farewell.

Goodgym is a fantastic way to get to know some very lovely people, the other side of that coin is it's always difficult when people move on. But you know what they say: 'tis better to have loved litter-picked, than never to have volunteered at all...

This mid-October task began with four Goodgym runners assembling at the Hope Street Suitcases. Run leader Sophie led the group through a sequence of stretches, warming us up ready for a steady run over to the evening's task destination: Mulgrave Street Action Group (MSAG), where another five members joined up to make an overall team of nine. [If you want the extra exercise, the pre-task jog remains a strong (optional) feature of Monday evening activity.]

For the uninitiated, MSAG is the L8 oasis, headed up by local resident, Khan Odita. The stuff of local legend, Khan's efforts brought about the transformation of a small patch of roadside waste land into a vibrant community garden, and Goodgym have regularly supported its maintenance over the years since.

The MSAG task ahead: planting out seventeen small shrub plants to introduce a new lease of green leaved life to the garden's flower beds.

Before devoting ourselves to shrubs, another special arrival merited priority attention, that of a truly extraordinary member of Goodgym Liverpool Taskforce... Bekah, whose attendance this evening saw her reach the awesome milestone achievement of 100 tasks completed! A(nother) centurion in our midst at Goodgym Liverpool 😀

Bekah, ever slick, casually trotted up to task, in the flow of volunteer business as usual. But such an ordinary and low-key arrival would not do. Siân stepped in with polite firmness, requesting that Bekah might leave and arrive again, allowing time for final touches to the intended honorary reception.

And so it was that Bekah re-arrived, breaking through the streams of blue ribbon strung up between two gateposts, further decorated in balloons and pompoms. Cue whoops of applause from smiling friends, blowing bubbles of Goodgym cheer all around (thank you to Lucien's ever-ready supply of bubbles!). Dan presented Bekah with a shiny golden rosette medal, adding a touch of red-carpet glitz and glamour, with paparazzi snaps and clips from Clara, on camera.

All this highly dramatic and low budget fanfare was, or course, in recognition of Bekah's century of dedication, kindness and supremely thorough organisation, supporting 100 good deeds of community action across Liverpool. Congratulations and thank you, Bekah West.

Floating on the high of celebration it was, predictably, err, Bekah, who got us back on task, facilitating our opening circle time for Goodgym introductions, before handing over to the task owner, Khan, conductor of much MSAG magic.

Khan talked us through his grand garden design plans: to bed in new shrub life amongst the garden's flower bedful of existing surprises. Then, before letting loose our untamed horticultural enthusiasm, Khan helpfully shared a few basic and vital planting-out tips: (i) locate the potted shrubs he had already laid out in their intended positions, (ii) prepare the earth by making a hole big enough to contain them i.e. dig deep, then dig deeper and then dig deeper still, (iii) apply tender pressure all around the outside of the pot to help gently loosen the shrub, and then, finally, (iv) lift and place the shrub into the hole, filling in the sides and pressing it firmly down into the crumbly soil foundations of its new home.

We all set about the task with a degree of relaxed confidence. We'd been (sh)rubbing shoulders with a centurion after all (or two or three, with Sophie in the mix and a special guest VIP on the way). Selecting from the digging tools provided, wiser gardeners of the group ploughed forth with the heave-ho might of a trusty spade, whilst the less experienced picked up trowels and proceeded to scrape away tirelessly at the ground, to little or no effect.

Success stories included Claire, who had arrived early and begun gardening ahead of time, clearly well in the groove of shrub re-housing work. Naser procured a pair of protective gloves to enable him to get stuck in, and some, combining his characteristic strength and speed. Leonardo's technical nous and eye for illumination saw him transform more shadowy spots of the garden, by activating the long beam feature on the portable night lights, with a couple of simple clicks. A well-earned cheer here, please, for each volunteer.

By the end of an hour, each shrub had vacated its pot to find a new permanent home sunk into Mulgrave Steet's own Mother Earth. The stand-out beauty amongst the new set was a blooming, white-flowered hydrangea. In case unaware or unclear of hydrangea colour magic, some hydrangeas produce different coloured flowers, depending on the soil: blue flowers in acid soils and pink flowers in alkaline soils. White hydrangeas, however, mostly remain white whatever the soil type, though may turn pinkish in maturity. Watch. This. Hydrangea.

Congregating back together with the task completed, Khan treated us to thank you refreshments sourced from the mosque restaurant diagonally opposite the garden. Eleanor was thrilled to receive an unexpected chai tea latte, all the better to toast the arrival of, as described in recent media coverage, Goodgym Liverpool legend, Pauline. Did you know that Pauline achieved the spectacular record of 1000 Goodgym tasks, no less!

And so, members past and present basked in the beaming satisfaction of time and effort spent together, sharing around celebratory small oranges and individually wrapped chocolates. The group then gently dispersed from Mulgrave Street, with runners crackling through fallen leaves along the pavement. I (Dan) felt a refreshed spring in my running step, stirred by admiration for Bekah and pride in Goodgym, in all its glory! Yes, I had (sh)rubbed soldiers with a new centurion joining the Goodgym Liverpool Great Hall of Kindness, prompting my shoulders, I divulge, to shimmy, just a little, with more than just a little joy!

This year’s sun, brighter and warmer than ever, carried us through spring and summer as though autumn might never arrive. But after weeks of drizzle and chill fighting for entry, the season finally broke through. Last week’s GoodGym session had been cancelled because of the rain, leaving everyone eager to meet again.

From the buzz in the WhatsApp group, you could tell how much we had missed one another. When the week’s location was announced, I checked the website. The name looked familiar, so familiar that a picture formed in my mind. I wondered, could it be that place? After running, I arrived and saw the group gathered. Yes, it was the same spot. Years ago, I had passed by here often when it was nothing but a rubbish dump. I used to hope that one day it would be transformed. And now, here it stood, not a forgotten corner but a jewel. Warm, caring hands had not just lit a candle here, they had hung a chandelier. The little olive bonsai gave the place a spirit of peace.

Placed between a mosque and a church, the corner felt like a symbol of harmony, an oasis where people of different backgrounds could meet. That evening, the warmth of the group outweighed the chill of autumn. Seeing Mishael, a new member, added even more energy. Soon, Khan, our host, came from a nearby house. Friendly and full of life, he explained our task, to pull up the weeds so the plants could breathe and grow. Unlike most hosts who specify what to remove, Khan simply trusted us to decide. At first, the task felt uncertain, but with guidance from experienced members, piles of weeds quickly took shape.

As always, conversations flowed. At one point, I asked Khan if his name began with “KH.” When he confirmed, we spoke about the meaning of names. I told him names are small miracles that can shape personality and destiny. When I shared that my own name means “someone who helps,” he smiled and admitted his middle name means “garden.” With a laugh, he added, “I never thought I’d actually be part of building one.” That is the quiet power of names.

By the end, we had gathered far more weeds than expected, pressing them down to fit into bags. Yet the work felt light, the warmth of the group kept the evening glowing. Even after Khan announced the end of the session, no one was in a hurry to leave. We stayed, talking and enjoying the space we had helped care for.

The GoodGym Liverpool family is truly something special. Once again, empathy and cooperation turned a small act into a meaningful transformation. We showed that community development doesn’t come from big budgets or loud slogans, but from simple things, shared effort, warm hearts, and the desire to make a place better.

Because when hands join with hope, even the coldest corner can become a garden of peace.

Serving society knows no time or place, you just need to be ready. On a stroll along Crosby Beach, I found the view spoiled by rubbish. I started collecting, and before long I had filled four bags. Some passersby noticed, which I appreciated—not as a show, but as a reminder that small actions can inspire change. At GoodGym, that’s what we do: take small steps that plant seeds for a better future.