Tom, Louise, Alex, Yuxi and myself were given a variety of tasks to help with setting up this ImpactSOS concept shop in Shoreditch BoxPark. As this was the last session before the grand opening, it was a furry of activity - trying to get everything completed to a strict deadline. Some of our activities included: Louise wrapping up soaps, Tom and Alex doing some DIY and me shopping and sweeping the floors and watering the plants. The popup will showcase a variety of products from local charities based in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Haringey and Waltham Forest - try and head over there if you can and show your support for your local community!

• Disclaimer - I did not make up the pun.

One of the nice things about follow-up sessions is to see the progress of the project.

The different rooms are starting to take shape, things falling into place step by step, almost ready to be fixed in place.

This evening more little bits of prep to be done:

• Kareem joined Kat in rolling up more of the wrapping paper
• Tom joined Finn putting together stools for the cinema room
• sorting bottles, cleaning re-purposed floor tiles & folding sports towels were my contribution

More sessions to follow this week - grand opening from 12.30 on Saturday.

P.S. anyone know an available DJ for the opening event?

8 goodgymers braved the slightly wet weather to paint the town (i.e. Ocean Youth Connexions) white (pun credit:Ilana. Task owner Kamal provided us with overalls to prevent us getting covered in paint. A few drops snuck in somehow but we all emerged relatively unscathed.

Rohan, Kareem, Dnyaneshwari and Tom were team Green Container. I hear there may have been some tuneful humming to make the most of the acoustics.The rest of us headed to the stairwell to paint everything but the stairs. Partway through Oliver upgraded his roller by attaching it to a big stick, allowing him to reach the taller parts of the wall.

Team GC needed to change paint partway through as the stuff they started with wouldn't stick to the walls - a paint rebellion! But Kamal soon sorted them with a more co-operative emulsion.

Team Stairwell made their way slowly down the stairs, leaving behind fresh white walls in their wake. No trips but potentially some drips.. Not wanting to mark the stairs, Ilana may have caught some with her own head - very considerate indeed.

It was an enjoyable, focused task. We all seemed to get so into the rhythm of painting that we seemed to be painting anything and everything white by the end. In fact. Team Green Container were so engrossed in their work, they stayed for an extra 5 minutes, determined to get the job done. The pull of the paint is strong.

Well done all and a massive congratulations to Kareem for completing his 50th task!

Before the task, early arrivers indulged in a spot of bat watching and we were introduced to the bat detector!

At 7pm, we gathered around as Ken took us through the ABCs of bulb planting. Then we were on our way across the park with our trowels and head torches. We dug deep (to save the bulbs from the squirrels!) and planted 200 bulbs between us around the park. Looking forward to spring to see our handy work bloom and the park come alive with tulips and crocuses!

Shout out to our newest members of the group Beth and Ryan. See you all again soon!