Goodgym Islington returned to Barnsbury Square Gardens for the first time in 2025 on Monday evening. Area Activator Simon met wit local resident gardener Lucy (who had installed a sign at the main entrance to invite us in) and made a start on a big task.
Our objective was to break up a large stretch of exposed soil in the middle of the park with spades and rakes- an area free of grass. The intention was to turn over the hard packed soil to allow aeration and water to filter into the ground, promoting more worms and wildlife to come and keep the soil healthy before Summer begins. Together, Anne, Matt and Simon were taught some great tips for effective digging through very hard soil (thanks Lucy), and did a excellent job turning soil and raking debris to keep the space tidy. Meanwhile, Emily took charge of plant watering duties, and wandered the whole park, making sure that all the flower beds were suitably hydrated (especially during this seasonal heat!).
Well done everyone. See you at Elizabeth House Food Hub next week!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN APRIL
Community Mission- Barnsbury Square Gardens 7.15pm, Barnsbury Square Gardens Monday 7th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-friends-of-barnsbury-square-gardens
Group Run- Elizabeth House Food Hub 6.15pm (early start), Arsenal Community Hub Monday 14th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-elizabeth-house-food-hub-6-15-pm-start-easter-special
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
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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!
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 10th April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-d35d794a-d813-4cb4-ba66-13782bb31631
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
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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
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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
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 8th 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!
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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:
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Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 22nd April
Tuesday 29th April
Tuesday 6th May
Tuesday 13th May
Tuesday 20th May
Next Session:
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th April, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Join us on our next session
Islington
Be a sighted runner and explore the world of guide running!
Monday 7th April
Credits
Simon Fitzmaurice
SESSION ORGANISER
Find out about GoodGym TaskForce
Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
