GoodGym Islington
Timbuk-two? How about Timbuk-six?
Monday 21st April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon and community leader Eslam met up at Timbuktu Adventure Playground last night, along with Emily, Michael, Haseeb and first timer Xia (welcome!). It was wonderful to return after the Easter holiday weekend, back to help the team at Islington in Play to maintain this well loved children's play park.
https://islingtonplay.org.uk/take-part/playgrounds/timbuktu-adventure-playground/
After unlocking a slighty tricky door, our crew were offered shovels and forks and we cracked on with turning soil and wood chips across the playground. The intention was to create soft landing areas for children playing on the climbing frames and rope swings- soil and mud starts to harden up over the Summer months.
Half way through our session, we switched our attention to cultivating the garden plot area at the back of the playground. We turned to earth for various flower beds, ready for future planting projects. Emily was in charge of picking our plastic and debris from all of the flower beds too, collecting up almost an entire bucket from the garden along.
Congratulations everyone. A great job, well done!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN APRIL
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 28th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-highbury-quadrant-green-space-garden-maintenance
Community Mission- Sunnyside Community Gardens 7.15pm, Sunnyside Community Gardens, Monday 5th May
Group Run- Sunnyside Community Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 12th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-sunnyside-community-gardens-composting
—------------------------------------
Post Group Run Social - Clissold Park Tavern
Monday 28th April, 8.15pm, Clissold Park Tavern
Following our group run session at Highbury Quadrant Estate, we are planning on celebrating a month of good work and excellent tasks with a trip to the Clissold Park Tavern. Smashing location for warm evenings, great food and refreshments on offer. Sign up here!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-clissold-park-tavern
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 24th April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-807ac766-ce7f-4496-8589-c8023e7fa0cc
Green Park Thursday 1st May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-f62d4df4-cda9-44bc-a79f-d3cf33e87cd3
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 8th May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-6575e329-1470-4a07-959a-abcd36058c26
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 15th May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-47950339-2d63-4a65-8ca5-95eec0655f99
—--------------------------------------
Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions
Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track
If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.
Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!
Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!
Wednesday 30th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-9
Wednesday 14th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-10
—-------------------------------------
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 22nd April, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
—---------------------------------------
Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 23rd April
Wednesday 30th April
Wednesday 7th May
Wednesday 14th May
Wednesday 21st May
Next session:
—---------------
Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 22nd April
Tuesday 29th April
Tuesday 6th May
Tuesday 13th May
Tuesday 20th May
Next Session:
—-----------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - April Volunteer Day Sunday 27th April, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road. https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-april-eca3427e-f335-4bd4-8c90-aa709fe9cf8b
—----------------------------
Camino Ultra - The London 100 - Aid station supporters at Queen Mother's Sports Centre, Victoria
Saturday 10th May, 6am - 12 midnight (flexible), Queen Mother’s Sports Centre, Victoria
London 100 is Central London's ultramarathon. With 3 challenge distances (100km, 50km, and 25km), the event has distances for experienced ultramarathoners, and for those stepping up from marathons or half marathons.
From a superb indoor Central London race HQ, four 25km routes explore north, south, east and west of the capital.
As part of the event, the amazing Camino crew are seeking volunteers to help tired runners throughout the day.
As there will be be 4 different running distances in action, the team would hugely appreciate helpers who can arrive throughout the morning, afternoon or evening.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camino-ultra-london-100km-aid-station-support
—---------------------------
Hackney Half Aid Station and Marshal Volunteering
Sunday 18th May, 7am onwards, Marion Place, Pritchard's Road (TBC)
The team at Motiv Sport have asked if our Goodgym team would be interested assisting with the 2024 Hackney Half Marathon on one of the 6 water and aid stations.
All volunteers that help in 2025 are offered a free place in any of our running events in 2026 (Hackney Half, London 10K, Oxford Half).
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/hackney-half-aid-station-and-marshal-volunteering
—--------------------------------------
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (May)
Saturday 17th May, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
—----------------------------
Mack on Track 02: marshals and pacers wanted!
Thursday 22nd May, 6.30pm, London Marathon Community Track, Stratford
Mack on Track is a super inclusive 5000m track running event, with a twist. The objective is to help as many runner as possible get (or come close to) their personal beats for 5km by providing trusted pacers to do so.
The team are looking for helps to assist with registration of participants, alerting runners about when each pace group starts and cheering on the athletes!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/mack-on-track-03-marshals-and-pacers-wanted
—---------------------------
London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH
An incredible event that offers runners to opportunity to race through traffic free streets in the Capital!
Motiv Sports (who also operate the Hackney Half and Oxford Half marathons) have requested Goodgym assistance to help at their 2nd aid station on the day.
Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!
The Big Bag Theory
Saturday 19th April
Written by StephDucat
Arrived at Mr J ground floor flat in Islington from my 1st mission. Islington was full of Gooners who were out in the streets or on their way to the stadium to see the Woman's Champions league match against Lyon. Mr J was grateful to get some help on a long Easter week end. The garden was taken over by weed. He said that if i had time, if I could start to dig and overturn the right hand part of the garden. He did say that he had external help a long time ago with 2 sessions and 2 people at a time. He presently me with just one black bag!!Normally you are given several bags or green waste bin, but you would say that one bag would never make the deal. When you see the size of the bag, you would not be worried : the bag was so big and strong. I probably could have put myself in it. The strimmer had seem better days and was all dried out and had a colony of spiders with their cobweb network. After 90 minutes I got rid of most of the weed, dead plants, dried grass and unwanted plants in the garden. Started to dig the soil too but ran out of time. Big bang and the massive bag was full!!!That's my spot said the weed, but for me it was in the bag for Mr Weed.
Thorn to be wild
Saturday 19th April
Written by StephDucat
Arrived at Ms P who was so greatful for the help she was going to get. She warned me that the garden was very wild and alot to do, but she did say do what you can and apologised for having an overgrown garden. The garden was indeed not accessible for her, but we love challenges at Goodgym. 90 minutes of thorn fighting and 4 bags were filled up. The garden was free of thorns and Ms P will be able to walk in her garden. She was so overwhelmed and couldn't stop thanking me.
Garden cleaning
Wednesday 16th April
Written by FELICITAS COSTAL
A lot of work but felt great to help.
Moving boxes to garage
Saturday 5th April
Written by Isobel McFarland
All went smoothly (Ms P even gave me a trolly to use!)
Can Do Attitude
Monday 14th April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon was joined by a top crew of Goodgym runners at the Arsenal Community Hub early on Monday evening. After a series of warm up drills on the slopes, we ran up the Aubert Park Hill, and straight down to the Elizabeth House Community Food Hub.
Upon our arrival we were greeted by Alice and Nathalie, the resident food hub volunteers, who were thrilled to see us. The team had already been working hard throughout the day, preparing deliveries and essential supplies for neighbourhood familes and isolated peoples. The space is set out like a supermarket, dedicated to donated food and produce, where visitors can drop in. Over the holidays, demand increases, so an additional Monday supermarket day is set up by the team, and our Goodgym crew will often come down to lend a hand!
Firstly, we arranged to drop off a series of prepared deliveries across the borough (Dharmesh, Bianca, Caitlin and Kim took on this role). In the meantime, the rest of us helped with re-organising the storage space under a table in the main kitchen- it was full of canned goods and non perishable foods, but needed a good sweep and some re-arranging. A good job, well done!
Next on the agenda, our team remained on hand to assist with packing supplies into bags for our visitors. As the food hub started to close up, we cleared away crates, tables, food supplies and chairs. Every area and every surface was cleaned, sanitised and swept up and we made sure that the community hall was ready for the children's play scheme the next day.
Great work everyone. Have a smashing Easter break! See you at Timbuktu Adventure Playground next Monday!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN APRIL
Community Mission- Timbuktu Adventure Playground 7.15pm, Timbuktu Adventure Playground, 31 Grenville Road Monday 21st April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-timbuktu-adventure-playground
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 28th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-highbury-quadrant-green-space-garden-maintenance
Community Mission- Sunnyside Community Gardens 7.15pm, Sunnyside Community Gardens, Monday 5th May
Group Run- Sunnyside Community Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 12th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-sunnyside-community-gardens-composting
—------------------------------------
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Emirates Stadium Thursday 17th April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-a04b2b49-dfb1-46c1-93b8-b4be751fa9f7
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 24th April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-807ac766-ce7f-4496-8589-c8023e7fa0cc
Green Park Thursday 1st May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-f62d4df4-cda9-44bc-a79f-d3cf33e87cd3
—--------------------------------------
Goodgym x Friday Night Lights: FNL Festival
Friday 18th April, 10am - late, Battersea Park
On Friday 18th April (Good Friday bank holiday) GoodGym will be supporting the Friday Night Lights Couch to 50k festival at Battersea Park. There will be lots of tasks to be done from setting up a gazebo, collecting donated shoes to be recycled, supporting festival games and even a bit of running if you'd like. It should be a really fun day!
By signing up you'll also get access to the Festival for the day, chill out with the music and entertainment, and access some of the runs happening.
Morning: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-at-the-friday-night-lights-festival-morning-session
Evening: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-at-the-friday-night-lights-festival-afternoon-session
—--------------------------------------
Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions
Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track
If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.
Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!
Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!
Wednesday 16th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-8
Wednesday 30th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-9
Wednesday 14th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-10
—---------------------------------------
Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 23rd April
Wednesday 30th April
Wednesday 7th May
Wednesday 14th May
Wednesday 21st May
Next session:
—---------------
Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 22nd April
Tuesday 29th April
Tuesday 6th May
Tuesday 13th May
Tuesday 20th May
Next Session:
—--------------------------------------
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (April)
Saturday 19th April, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
—-----------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - April Volunteer Day
Sunday 27th April, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
—----------------------------
Camino Ultra - The London 100 - Aid station supporters at Queen Mother's Sports Centre, Victoria
Saturday 10th May, 6am - 12 midnight (flexible), Queen Mother’s Sports Centre, Victoria
London 100 is Central London's ultramarathon. With 3 challenge distances (100km, 50km, and 25km), the event has distances for experienced ultramarathoners, and for those stepping up from marathons or half marathons.
From a superb indoor Central London race HQ, four 25km routes explore north, south, east and west of the capital.
As part of the event, the amazing Camino crew are seeking volunteers to help tired runners throughout the day.
As there will be be 4 different running distances in action, the team would hugely appreciate helpers who can arrive throughout the morning, afternoon or evening.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camino-ultra-london-100km-aid-station-support
—---------------------------
Hackney Half Aid Station and Marshal Volunteering
Sunday 18th May, 7am onwards, Marion Place, Pritchard's Road (TBC)
The team at Motiv Sport have asked if our Goodgym team would be interested assisting with the 2024 Hackney Half Marathon on one of the 6 water and aid stations.
All volunteers that help in 2025 are offered a free place in any of our running events in 2026 (Hackney Half, London 10K, Oxford Half).
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/hackney-half-aid-station-and-marshal-volunteering
—----------------------------
Mack on Track 02: marshals and pacers wanted!
Thursday 22nd May, 6.30pm, London Marathon Community Track, Stratford
Mack on Track is a super inclusive 5000m track running event, with a twist. The objective is to help as many runner as possible get (or come close to) their personal beats for 5km by providing trusted pacers to do so.
The team are looking for helps to assist with registration of participants, alerting runners about when each pace group starts and cheering on the athletes!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/mack-on-track-03-marshals-and-pacers-wanted
—---------------------------
London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH
An incredible event that offers runners to opportunity to race through traffic free streets in the Capital!
Motiv Sports (who also operate the Hackney Half and Oxford Half marathons) have requested Goodgym assistance to help at their 2nd aid station on the day.
Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!
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