GoodGym Islington
Getting It Isle-DONE!
Monday 21st July
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon was thrilled to return to Goodgym Islington last night after a two week adventure in Las Vegas, Nevada, California and Utah. 10 keen Goodgymmers (including first timer Sofia- welcome!) joined us at the Arsenal Community Hub for a pleasant group run up Sobell Road, or at our new task location Isledon Gardens.
Goodgym Islington regulars Alison and Alice were the first to arrive at the hidden community garden next to the Sam Morris Nursery, and helped the rest of us to locate the exact meeting place! Local gardeners Mary and Michael were thrilled to see so many volunteers on hand, and directed us to 2 main tasks for the evening.
Task 1 involved unloading coffee sacks of pre-packed wood chip onto a new pathway towards the back of the garden. Large plant pots needed to be safely moved to gain access to the full route, but we made short work of it. We then raked the surfaces to flatten the chips, and the rest of our crew started a production line to fill up as many bags of wood chip as possible for future projects.
Task 2 revolved around us unloading a bin full of new compost, and distributing it into a new planter. No easy job, as the compost was hard packed, and had settled into the compost bin over time. Mehmet, Alice and Pete worked together to dislodge the compost before shovelling the fertiliser into the bed. After lots of scoops, we were able to lift the compost bin into the planter, and we knocked the rest of the compost loose. Great job, well done folks!
As we finished up our task for the evening, Alison announced that she had completed her 400th Goodgym deed with us. An incredible undertaking- congratulations! We remember hearing about Alison's Goodgym activities in Bath back in the day, and we really appreciate her efforts with Goodgym Islington. Well done!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JULY
Group Run- Isledon Gardens Nature Trail 6.45pm, Isledon Gardens, Parkside Crescent, Monday 21st July
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-isledon-gardens-nature-trail
Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 28th July
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
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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!
Hyde Park Thursday 24th July
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 31st July
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 22nd July, 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!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-aeb5c257-bc38-4e8b-b4d3-173284fbead7
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Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Saturday 26th July
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Penn Road Gardens - July Volunteer Day
Sunday 27th July, 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/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-july-4ada7b9d-627b-4d7d-84a6-2cb96e09ab0a
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 9th August, 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.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august
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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 16th August, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
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Energy and Excitement at Paddington Rec Track: Weekly Gathering with Achilles International
Thursday 17th July
Written by MOHAMED NAOUM
As part of the weekly sessions that bring together GoodGym volunteers with the Achilles International team, I participated this week as a running guide in a special training session held at the Paddington Rec Track, after we met at Maida Vale underground station on Thursday evening.
This initiative is part of the ongoing collaboration with Achilles International, a sports charity that embraces people of all abilities and provides them with a supportive and safe environment to exercise alongside trained guides. These sessions aim to support visually impaired runners, helping them develop their athletic skills while fostering a spirit of community participation.
The session included 11 professional guides, 10 visually impaired (VI) runners, and a support team of 2 people. Enthusiasm was evident on the Paddington Rec Track, where the atmosphere was marked by mutual encouragement and positive energy.
I am proud to be part of this wonderful team, which includes a distinguished group of athletes with disabilities, as well as a group of volunteer guides, both experienced and new. The training varied throughout the session, including recovery runs, tempo runs, and interval workouts, all amid a lively atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and mutual support on the track.
This type of event not only enhances physical fitness but also contributes to building meaningful human relationships based on trust, respect, and teamwork.
I am honored to be part of this ongoing volunteer work and look forward to many more upcoming sessions with GoodGym and Achilles International.
Fox deterrents and other topics
Saturday 12th July
Written by Islington runner
I met Ewa outside the property (a few minutes late and not yet wearing my goodgym tee owing to the strong 30 degree heat). Ms J was ready for us, clear and direct with what she wanted and where we should start. She thought we wouldn’t get it all done in the time, boy, did we show her! It was extremely hot but we powered through and managed to clear the majority of the weeds, trim a couple of bushes, sweep around and move some pots and pallets around.
A job very well done, in tough conditions.
First mission with Ewa, look forward to many more.
UN foodbank
Tuesday 8th July
Written by Islington runner
The friendly multi-national team at Elizabeth House requested some extra help to clear up at the end of a busy foodbank supermarket session. GoodGym provided its own multi-national team - David from Islington and Brenda from Croydon.
Chair stacking, table wiping, crate lugging, food composting - the half hour session flew past. More help requested next week!
Flat top, and trim the edges please...
Monday 7th July
Written by Nick Moore
Initially I thought this morning's rain might scupper the opportunity to cut Mr F's lawn, but by the time I got there in the afternoon everything was dry and ready for a good trim - I was surprised how much it had grown since my last visit at the end of May.
Mr F had already got the mower out, and so familiar with his garden I quickly got to work - once I'd done the grass Mr F also asked me to tidy up the borders, which were more easily done by hand and judicious use of the secateurs. He gave me his seal of approval once I'd done all he asked - and once I'd done a quick tidy up he said he'd like me back in a month to do it all again!
We are not a-pathetic, we love spades very mulch
Monday 30th June
Written by Islington runner
NINE GoodGymmers shovelled earth and mulch in 29C heat for Light of the World Church.
Alice, Cat, and Hermione helped Eslam to shift and water some soil while Matt, Sarah, Emily, Caitlin, and Alison laid mulch over coffee sacks to make a path.
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