GoodGym Islington
Sun Bed.
Saturday 5th April
Written by Nick Moore
Anne and I arrived at Mr R's in the afternoon sunshine well prepared for further exercise after we'd both ticked off different London parkruns this morning. Mr R was really pleased to see us, and led us up a narrow staircase to show us the task at hand - a double mattress and a divan base in two parts in his upstairs bedroom that he needed moving out so the council could collect.
As experienced GG bed shifters (...), we quickly got to work and soon had the mattress down and out - after a bit of furniture moving to allow the front door to open fully, it was then a case of getting the two (thankfully light) divan bases outside so that they too could sunbathe in the April sun. After a quick reinstatement of the moved hallway furniture, we bid a grateful Mr R farewell.
Green (Park) Day with Achilles International
Thursday 3rd April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
It was an absolute joy to return to Green Park for the first time in 2025 with the team from Achilles International. Every week, the members of the London chapter of Achilles (an all abilities accessible sports charity) host a guided group run in various locations across London. Green Park only becomes an option in the Summertime, as the evenings get lighter.
6 VI runners and plenty of volunteers were on hand to run, support, bag watch and to befriend guide dogs (the best task in my opinion). Lots of VI runners training for races, as we approach peak event season- very exciting!
Next session with Achilles International
Next Thursday, we will be running at Stratford Olympic Park, meeting at the Westfield exit of the underground at 6pm.
Sign up here to get involved:
Zen and the Art of Garden Maintenance
Friday 4th April
Written by Islington runner
Mr P's Japanese--inspired gardens needed some tidying after bushes had flowered, branches had grown, leaves had fallen, and weeds had started to grow. Working together in the sunshine, we made good progress in the time available - hopefully allowing Mr P a sense of calm when he sits in his gardens in the coming days.
Boxed in......
Tuesday 1st April
Written by Islington runner
Mr F has those post-move blues, where everything that had a place in his previous flat now needs a new place in his new flat. I could empathise with him. I'm sure we all could.
We channelled "the longest journey starts with a single step" and got to work clearing the kitchen floor and worktops of boxes. A few emptied and flattened boxes later, along with some judicious reorganisation, and the kitchen was looking clearer and feeling more usable. It was a start, although there is much more to do.
No, I don't want no shrubs
Monday 31st March
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Last night, Area Activator Simon was joined by 7 keen local Goodgymmers for our first group run session of British Summertime! Simon, Luke, Caitlin, Paul and first timer Alice ran 1.3 miles together from the Arsenal Community Hub, up Mackenzie Road and down to the beautiful Thornhill Square Gardens (one of Islington's largest community maintained public parks).
Upon our arrival, resident gardening expert Anna introduced us to a variety of tasks for the night. We split into 3 groups- Matt and Sam (originally from GG Southwark) assisted with rebuilding a dead hedge (a barrier made of fallen branches and trimmings) by the south side of the park. Luke and Paul were given a root pulling challenge around the former rose bush beds- trimming down overgrown foliage, and excavating the long roots to prevent them from reappearing (the hard ground made for difficult work- we even lost a hardy gardening fork in the process!). Caitlin, Alison and Alice helped with weeding the memorial flower bed (very close to the cherry blossom trees we helped to maintain last year! Still going strong and looking healthy!), removing pervasive greenery to make space for more plants. Towards the end of the session, the crew found time to install loads of lovely snowdrops around the bed- hopefully we will see thousands of these growing soon.
We downed tools after just under 50 minutes of effort, and arranged to see Anna again soon. A team of us then celebrated the end of March (and first session with no lights or head torches needed) by visiting The Hemingford Arms for some refreshments. Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN MARCH / 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!
Green Park Thursday 3rd April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-2ac7d985-4c29-48ba-806a-b17afad7039b
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
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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 2nd April
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 1st 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 2nd April
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 1st April
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.
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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!
That Finishing Line Feeling with Camino Ultra London- Lea Valley 50km and Gratitude 25km!
Saturday 29th March
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Camino Ultra London (a grassroots endurance distance collective of race directors and coaches based in East London) hosted the 5th edition of the Lea Valley 50km on Saturday morning. This was also the 2nd edition of the Gratitude 25km (established by Mark White, the founder of Run Grateful).
Over 400 runners participated in both races (the 50km starting in Welwyn Garden City, and the 25km starting in Broxbourne), finishing at the awesome Hackney Bridge halls (in glorious sunshine). Local run groups Broxbourne Runners, Your Town Runners and Coffee Run Hackney assisted by setting up regular aid stations along the Cole Green Way and the Lea Valley Canal, and brought wonderful party vibes throughout!
Our Goodgym team helped with setting up the registration marquee first thing on Saturday, ready for assisting the 50km runners at the Gosling Sports Centre in Welwyn Garden City. On the day, Goodgymmers Simon, Graham, Rosie, Olive, Lorna and Rob took on the challenge, and were greeted to an incredible finishing line atmosphere in Hackney Wick. Thank you to Steve, Anika, Kim, Jess and Steve for bringing cowbells and good times!
Photos by Kim Carter and @gigigiannella_photo
