6 frequent Goodgym Islington attendees joined a slightly broken Area Activator Simon at The Tollington Arms on Benwell Road last week. A hidden gem for delicious homemade Thai food in the borough!

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The GoodGym Islington AGM 2024

We hosted our first proper open meeting together to talk about how Goodgym Islington is going, and to take feedback for future sessions.

Here were some of the key topics of discussion, directed at group runs and community missions in particular:

Monday Group Runs

We agreed that our usual time and set up for Monday group runs seem to work well for those who attend. And the Arsenal Community Hub start point is well suited for exploring the whole borough together. The bag drop and WC facilities are key to establishing a base for group runs. Tasks without these can pose as a barrier to entry for new attendees.

However, we are open to accommodating occasional changes to the schedule, depending on the task.

For example, our Easter group run to the Rose Bowl Youth Centre will be hosted on Tuesday instead to sideline Easter Monday:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-rose-bowl-youth-club-tuesday-session

and our next trip to Elizabeth House Food Hub will be at 6pm to allow for more varied tasks (more deliveries, less clear up), and to help with the regular volunteers:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-elizabeth-house-food-hub-easter-helpers-6pm-start

Favourite Tasks

Some of our favourite tasks in recent times have been:

• Lifting and shifting tasks!
• Food bank deliveries (requires a bit of additional admin, but alway good!)
• Building and constructing for gardens and community centres
• Youth centres and playgrounds
• Slow Ways route mapping and reviewing

We are also looking at collaborating for more weekend missions - particularly if we can combine a parkrun excusion too!

On the same subject, we are very open to combining nationwide campaigns as part of our Goodgym sessions. Examples include:

Run and Talk Butterfly Day The Big Plastic Count Race Against Time Relay

Fitness Activities

We are open to including fitness games and core training as part of our Group Run warm ups.

Longer fitness elements (e.g. Emirates Stadium Time Trial) will be publicised in advance of the group run, as a "training session". Always optional, but an incentive for anyone who would like to try it!

Definitely preferred to introduce these before a group run, and not after.

Socials and Excursions

Yes to more socials and excursions!

Suggestions included:

• a trip to YHA South Downs for parkrun and hiking
• Visit to Caledonian Park clocktower
• London Zoo
• Summer picnic and slacklining
• Researching for more "Goodgym Islington" specific activities in the borough

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Thank You for all involved!

If you have anything to add or suggest, you are very welcome to email Simon directly at:

simonfitzmaurice@goodgym.org