This evening, Doug, Amanda and I headed over to One Church to lend a hand with preparations for tomorrow’s lunch for people experiencing homelessness.

We were welcomed by Stephan, who was incredibly organised and had everything ready for us. Our task list was clear: chopping carrots, potatoes, apples and pumpkins – plenty to keep our hands busy while the conversation flowed.

And what conversations they were! The four of us covered so much ground – from travels to Japan, to memories of the Covid days, volunteering, the realities of homelessness and the weight it places on someone’s life, to workplace bullying and ways to tackle it, the rise of AI and how it’s shaping our daily lives – and plenty more in between.

Two hours slipped by quickly, filled with chopping, chatting, and laughter. As we wrapped up and said our goodbyes, we all left feeling just that little bit better than when we walked in.

Reflections from the Kitchen: A Meal, A Moment, A Memory

This experience was deeply emotional for me on a personal level. It began as a community mission, but due to a delay, I arrived late — and coincidentally, I was the only one from GoodGym to show up. Still, I was warmly welcomed at One Church Brighton.

As a Muslim, I’ve always felt safe and embraced in churches, and this was no different. I was introduced to John — the chef and, frankly, the unsung hero of this story. He’s been cooking for the homeless for years, always with a smile, patience, and an open heart.

I quickly jumped into action: whipping cream, mashing potatoes, searing onions, and boiling milk. There was a lot going on in that kitchen, but John answered every one of my (sometimes silly) questions with kindness and encouragement.

After the service, more beautiful souls arrived to help get the meal prepared and served — ready to welcome our fellow brothers and sisters whom life, in its randomness, had not given the security of a roof over their heads. And yet here we were — the lucky ones — with the opportunity to give something small, but meaningful.

I’ll admit, I had a personal struggle preparing the pork sausages — something I don’t eat. But I reminded myself: I was cooking them, not eating them. Still, I suddenly understood how Superman feels around kryptonite.

Once the meal started, I saw something simple but powerful: smiles. Each time I brought out a new dish or refilled a tray, there was a sense of gratitude in the room. I insisted on serving dessert — a delicious fruit pie with cream — until John gently suggested I try a piece myself and maybe sit down to eat with our guests.

So I did.

I sat next to N. He was born and raised here, British accent and all — unlike me. “I struggle with mental health,” he told me. “That’s why I’m homeless.” But instead of crying, he laughed — a loud, echoing laugh that filled the church hall and shook something deep in me.

You see, I lost my job six months ago, because I decided to stand up for my people in Palestine and talk about the Genocide and starvation in Gaza. I’ve been living off my savings. I’m not at risk of homelessness yet, but I am struggling. One extra blow, and I might be in their place.

But that’s why this moment mattered so much.

Because now I know — I can count on GoodGym, and on the kind, generous people at One Church Brighton, to restore dignity and offer more than just a warm meal.

They offer connection. A seat at the table. And a reminder: none of us are alone.

Last night’s GoodGym mission was all about elbow grease and elevation as we set off for One Church on Florence Road to give their kitchen a seriously deep clean.

We kicked things off with a short but steep run up Ditchling Hill and arrived with hearts pumping and ready to scrub.

Our task for the evening: turn a hardworking community kitchen from grubby to gleaming. This kitchen supports amazing projects like Chomp, which runs free school holiday lunch clubs for families on low incomes.

Armed with an arsenal of sprays, cloths, scrubbing brushes, and determination, we tackled every surface from top to bottom.

Fridges? Sparkling. Worktops? Shining. That one mystery corner no one wanted to look at? Conquered.

By the end, the kitchen was gleaming, our arms were tired, and we had used enough cleaning product to register it as a new GoodGym member.

Massive kudos to the team for their hard work and good vibes. A top-notch effort all round.

What a great session to welcome Omolade, aka Molly, in our community!