Ten Years of GoodGym Barnet – Back Where It All Began

Ten years ago GoodGym Barnet held its first group run to Long Lane Pasture. Yesterday we went back to where it all began with old friends, new faces and over 30 people joining us to celebrate a decade of doing good in our community.

A big group set off from the Phoenix Cinema after our traditional warm-up but this time we also went around the group remembering some of our favourite GoodGym moments from the last ten years. Gardening, clearing graffiti from the Phoenix, Halloween runs in fancy dress, Tiny Forests, litter picks and countless community missions. It was a lovely reminder of just how varied GoodGym has been.

We ran through the back streets of East Finchley, keeping everyone together with the occasional stop for squats, exercises and a few questionable drop kicks!

At Long Lane Pasture we met Donald, other volunteers, councillors and GoodGymers who had made their own way there. Donald told us a little about this wonderful nature reserve, saved from development and now looked after by volunteers.

After gathering around the Green Flag for a photo, we squeezed in some gentle yoga breathing and mobility before getting down to business , clearing litter from the footpath alongside the reserve.

Then came the important birthday business: cake and beer!

Huge thanks to Donald and everyone at Long Lane Pasture for hosting us and providing plenty of cake, Richard for the vegan cake, Athletic Brewing for the beers and Theo for some additional refreshments with a little more kick!

There was another milestone worth celebrating too: congratulations to Subham on reaching over a 100 good deeds. What better evening to do it.

Most importantly, it was wonderful seeing people who have been part of GoodGym Barnet at different times over the last decade. Some we see every week, others we haven’t seen for years. You’re always welcome back even if it’s only once a year!

One message we received afterwards perhaps summed the evening up best:

“The energy is infectious. You have created a wonderful community, and Barnet is richer for having you in it.”

But GoodGym isn’t really about what we have created. It’s about supporting people like Donald and the volunteers at Long Lane Pasture, and all those people across Barnet who quietly take responsibility for our green spaces, charities and community organisations.

Sometimes a couple of hours of our time gets a job done. Just as importantly, hopefully it reminds those people that they aren’t doing it alone and that what they do is noticed and valued.

And it does something for us too. Getting outside, being active and doing something useful alongside other people is pretty good medicine for life.

We might only make a small difference each time but a small difference is considerably better than no difference at all.

After ten years, we’re still running, walking and cycling into our community, getting our hands dirty and seeing where we can help.

Here’s to the next few years and hopefully plenty more familiar and new faces joining us along the way. ❤️

Happy 10th birthday GoodGym Barnet!

Three goodgymers joined local community activists at the Mutton Brook tiny forests, for a wet morning of weeding and litter picking. The rain came down, which was great for the trees, not so good for the workers! But we all persevered, and dug up a mountain of weeds that had been growing since the tiny forest trees were planted in March. The tiny forests at the site are part of a scientific experiment with different growing conditions. We saw oaks, hollys, hazels, all thriving.

There's plenty more work to do there, so we look forward to going again soon!

Penny Salman Shines at Barnet’s InspirationALL Awards! 🌟💪🌍

Yesterday at Barnet Town Hall, the borough came together to celebrate the incredible women and girls making a real impact in their communities. Among them was GoodGym Barnet’s very own Penny Salman, who was Highly Commended in the Inspiring Young Woman category! 🎉👏

Penny is a force of nature when it comes to sustainability, community action, and keeping fit while making a difference. As an active member of GoodGym Barnet, she combines exercise with community service—whether that’s clearing green spaces, helping local projects, or encouraging others to get involved.

But that’s not all! Penny is also the founder of Threads for a Penny, her Instagram platform (7.5k followers and growing!) where she promotes sustainable fashion and eco-friendly living. She’s a dedicated advocate for active travel and sits on two Barnet Council action groups, working to make the borough a better place for everyone. 🚴‍♀️🌱

On the day, three GoodGym Barnet members even cycled a 3-mile round trip to the awards—because what better way to show up for a sustainability champion?! They celebrated Penny’s well-deserved recognition with tea, cake, and great company, including the Mayor of Barnet and other local heroes. ☕🍰

A Call to Action! 🚀 In a world that often feels globally disconnected, the real change starts right on your doorstep. Penny is proof that by getting involved locally, whether through GoodGym, volunteering, or sustainability projects, you can make a tangible difference. We need more young people to step up, get active, and be part of shaping a healthier, greener, and more connected Barnet.

Want to know more? Check out all the winners and nominees from this incredible event 👉 Barnet InspirationALL 2024/25

https://www.engage.barnet.gov.uk/inspirationall-2024-25

And don’t forget to follow Penny’s journey on Instagram at @ThreadsForAPenny for all things sustainable fashion and community action! 💚♻️

#InspirationALL #BarnetAwards #GoodGym #SustainableLiving #ThreadsForAPenny #ActiveCommunity #GetInvolved

GoodGym Barnet Report: Helping at the Night Shelter in Mill Hill

Last night, Penny and Franky joined forces with other volunteers at the Barnet Night Shelter in Mill Hill, rolling up their sleeves to prepare food and support those in need.

With 8 volunteers and 12 guests, the evening was a fantastic opportunity to connect, give back, and make a tangible difference in the community. Penny summed it up perfectly:

“We prepared the hall, served the food, cleaned up, and washed the dishes. It was great fun and lovely to connect with others!”

The shelter provides warm meals, a safe space, and a friendly atmosphere for those facing homelessness, and there will be more opportunities to get involved!

If you’d like to be part of this rewarding experience, keep an eye on upcoming sessions—we’d love to see more GoodGymers getting involved!

A few GoodGym Barnet members decided to clean up their local Streets as part of the Goodgym January challenge. well done for all your efforts and thanks for pulling together to help hit our January targets. awesome effort!

GoodGym Barnet: Supporting Citizens Advice Barnet Through Fitness, Fun, and Community Spirit

This week, GoodGym Barnet came together for a festive group run with a purpose – supporting the Citizens Advice Bureau Barnet by delivering fundraising leaflets in East Finchley. Citizens Advice provides crucial support to underprivileged and vulnerable people, protecting their rights and ensuring they can access essential services. Many don’t realise that this vital organisation relies on grants, just like any other charity, to continue its work.

We were delighted to have two representatives from Citizens Advice join us at the start of our run outside our new meeting point,( thank you Louise The White Lion Pub. They explained why fundraising is so important and how our leaflet drop could make a real difference in reaching local residents. This was a repeat of our efforts last year, which resulted in a positive fundraising response—and we were more than happy to give it another go.

As we warmed up outside the pub, there was a great buzz as we shared our Christmas plans—everything from wild pond swims to binge-watching festive TV favourites. With everyone ready, we split into teams and set off into the cool December air, delivering over 300 leaflets through the streets of East Finchley.

While some of us ran in “Indian file” formation (always a great way to keep the energy up!), Dave and Ben led the walking team, ensuring every doorstep was reached. Leaflet drops always come with a few quirks—admiring local homes, cautiously listening for barking dogs, and navigating slippery garden paths. Safety first, as always!

The group smashed it, working swiftly and efficiently as two teams covered both sides of each street. Before long, we were back at The White Lion, where the walkers had already grabbed a well-earned drink. The pub was alive with atmosphere, and it was brilliant to unwind together over food and drinks. We were joined by some special guests, including Donald from Finchley Pastures and Alison and Warwick from Stephens House and Gardens—key community figures who, like us, care deeply about bringing people together.

This run was a fantastic way to round off a year of supporting great causes through fitness and teamwork. In 2024 alone, GoodGym Barnet has delivered foodbank donations, supported local charities, and helped countless community groups while building friendships, staying active, and having a lot of fun along the way.

Looking ahead to 2025, we hope to do even more to support local people and grow our community connections—but we need YOU to get involved. Whether you join us once or twice a month, you’ll have fun, get fit, and make a real difference. Bring a friend, drag along a colleague, or, as we like to joke, “blindfold and kidnap them”—whatever it takes, just come and join us in 2025!

We promise you’ll leave with a smile, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe a pint at the end. Here’s to another year of running, walking, cycling, and helping our community thrive.