Thursday 16th January
PHOTOGRAPHER
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Report written by Theresa Joseph (she/her)
2 GoodGymers completed this new task so we were open and ready to get stuck in. We were there to support an after-school club for parents and children in the roof garden of the Doddington Estate.
On arrival, there was much to set up and get ready, including lots of washing up in an annexe nearby which Laura happily tackled.
In the main building, we were met with lots of children along with their parents/guardians and centre workers who had just finished gardening and were ready for some refreshments enjoying the space and each other's company. Pizza and other snacks were made, and we were on hand to serve and replenish as needed and asked to chat and to strike up conversations with parents as needed.
After being asked if we worked for a Gym - which broke the ice and gave us the opportunity to share about GoodGym, the parents began to open up more.
One of the highlights of this session was when 3 mums - after first establishing that I was also a mother- asked when would be the best time to go back to work/full-time work after having children and how to combine studies with work and or raising children. It was a great discussion leading to lots of information-sharing from all in the room.
The centre manager was also really pleased and thanked us for helping the session run smoothly and started sharing other session's she would love our help with and encouraged us to grab a bag of brussels sprouts and radishes on our way out.
It was a lovely, lively session, with charming chaotic moments which the centre manager hopes to iron out by next week's session - but these were probably more of a feature than a fault.
Fri 17th Jan at 11:59am
This sounds like such a fun, rewarding and impactful session. Way to go Theresa and Laura!
Wandsworth
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