On a warm sunny evening in Liverpool 15 GoodGymmers could be found in St James Gardens. Invited to join Friends of St James Garden's Michael and Vikky (who is also a Goodgymmer) and Lucy and Will from Shiverpool we could be found weeding the paved area around the Huskinsson memorial.

One of the great things about a session like this is it offers you an opportunity to take this time out of your day to suit what you need whilst helping out a local group. With clear directions to follow you are all in the same area but with the space to either focus on the task enjoy the fresh air and reflect on the day or to work by someone and chat whilst you weed. And that is how an hour flies by whilst the space turns from looking a little neglected and overlooked to being cared for once more and plans for a Goodgym trip to Isle of Man start to take shape (keep watching for more on this).

It was an evening of welcomes and farewells. We are so pleased to welcome Nina to Liverpool Goodgym. Nina originally with Haringey Goodgym has relocated and we look forward to seeing her more. A sad farewell to Renata as she moves away and on to the next era of her life. Please come back and see us when you visit and it was lovely to meet you.

It was also an evening of newness. Heetu led the runners through their paces on her first full session leading (Heetu is preparing for her run leader course which basically formalises what she excels in anyway). He5rtu had us running up and down the Metropolitan cathedral flight of steps making it fun and despite the steepness of the steps and the heat of the day laughter and encouragement could be heard as we all got into the swing of it step session finished we ran the length of Hope Street to the Anglican cathedral with bounds of energy and enthusiasm to start the task Well done Heetu.

This evening, as all our sessions do, showed the difference we can all make by joining together with kind intention in unity and understanding

Many thanks to Friends of St James Gardens for inviting us. We are back with them again next week.... why not join us.

Task Summary:

On Monday, 24 June, a dedicated group of GoodGym Liverpool runners gathered for a litter pick task around the streets surrounding Lark Lane. The litter pick was planned as part of our ongoing efforts to keep the local area clean and welcoming, especially following the recent Africa Oye festival that brought many visitors to the neighborhood.

Task Details:

Meeting Point: - The task kicked off with Sallyann leading the run from Hope Street, setting a brisk and energetic pace for the group. Other members met directly at the task location near Lark Lane.

Initial Observations: - Upon arrival, it was noted that Lark Lane itself had been freshly cleared, likely due to clean-up efforts following the Africa Oye festival. This allowed the team to focus their efforts on the surrounding streets, which still needed attention.

Activities: - The team split into smaller groups, each taking a different street or area to maximize coverage. - Armed with litter pickers, gloves, and bags, they meticulously collected rubbish ranging from plastic bottles and food wrappers to discarded cans and cigarette butts. - The new members, Hannah, Renata, and Lana, were enthusiastic and quickly got into the groove, learning from the seasoned GoodGym members. - Jo, visiting from Exeter, brought a fresh perspective and shared stories of similar initiatives back in her hometown, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. - Heetu walked very slowly due to blisters developed during yesterday’s 34-mile walk but showed great determination and contributed significantly to the task. - Sallyann, who had been off for many weeks due to injury, made a strong return, inspiring the group with her leadership. - Ema was missed due to attending the Woman of the Year event.

Achievements: - By the end of the session, the group had collected 17 bags of litter, significantly improving the appearance of the streets around Lark Lane. - The task not only made a visible impact on the local environment but also strengthened community bonds among the participants.

Challenges: - The only minor challenge was coordinating the large group across different streets, but with effective communication and teamwork, this was swiftly managed.

Reflections:

The litter pick was a success, demonstrating the power of community action in maintaining public spaces. The involvement of new members and a visitor from afar added to the sense of community and shared responsibility. Heetu's perseverance was particularly inspiring, showing that even physical discomfort couldn't deter the GoodGym spirit.

Thank You:

A big thank you to all participants for their hard work and positive energy. Special thanks to Sallyann for her excellent leadership and to Jo for joining us from Exeter. We also missed Ema and look forward to seeing her at future tasks.

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Gratitude: The community expressed their gratitude throughout the evening. Residents and local business owners were particularly appreciative, stopping by to thank the team for their efforts. Their kind words and encouragement were a testament to the positive impact GoodGym has on the local area.

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We look forward to seeing everyone at the next GoodGym task!

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Photographs: Pauline, as usual, captured the event with her excellent photography skills.

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Next Task: Stay tuned for details of our next task, and as always, keep up the great work!