This was the follow up mission to finish off the group run! well done for the extra effort!

GoodGym Barnet: Running Beyond Waste!

A slightly drizzly Tuesday evening didn’t dampen our spirits as GoodGym Barnet gathered for what turned out to be a novel group run experience—one that showcased our flexibility, community spirit, commitment to sustainability and a social drink!

Our original plan to visit Northway Gardens didn’t quite come together, but fate had other ideas! We received an urgent call to action to support local businesses in East Finchley by distributing leaflets for an important Business Beyond Waste webinar, hosted by Barnet Council. This session aims to help small and medium-sized businesses reduce waste, improve sustainability, and even boost profitability—a perfect match for GoodGym’s mission of doing good while getting active.

A Call to Action – Right Up Our Street!

With 200 leaflets printed and ready to go, our base for the evening was the iconic Phoenix Cinema, where we gathered, welcomed new members—including Gabriel, who’s already diving into missions requiring a DBS check—and shared some of our most memorable GoodGym experiences. These included painting the Phoenix Cinema graffiti mural and an epic tale from York GoodGym, where a group rescued a drowning man from a canal!

After a quick warm-up, we split into two teams and hit East Finchley High Street—one group tackling one side, the other covering the opposite. Armed with leaflets and our usual enthusiasm, we introduced the initiative to local business owners, many of whom were genuinely interested in the project and in GoodGym itself. Some were even intrigued by how GoodGym could help their own community initiatives—proof that what we do opens doors (sometimes literally, sometimes via letterboxes!).

We also discovered a key update from Barnet Council—they’re changing the way commercial waste collections operate. For businesses, this makes workshops like Business Beyond Waste even more crucial in navigating new sustainability regulations.

Rebels with a Cause… and a Pint

Once we’d covered the High Street, the teams reunited and made their way toward another local hub—near the Windsor Castle pub. Given the evening’s theme of supporting local businesses, it seemed only right to pause for a well-earned drink, discussing the evening’s work, future sustainability projects, and, as always, swapping GoodGym stories.

As the night wound down, we jogged back to the Phoenix for a proper cool-down and headed off in our separate directions—feeling energised, accomplished, and happy to have supported a positive, sustainable initiative that benefits both the environment and our local businesses.

Can GoodGym Help More Sustainability Initiatives?

This was a great example of how GoodGym can be a powerful partner for local organisations looking to create lasting impact—whether it’s helping businesses go greener, supporting community clean-ups, or promoting active transport.

Got ideas on how we can support sustainability in Barnet? Let us know! Because whether it’s running, cycling, or walking, GoodGym is always ready to go the extra mile for our community.

GoodGym Barnet: Helping a Forest School in East Finchley

On a crisp January evening, five dedicated GoodGym members gathered at the Phoenix Cinema for a group run with a mission: helping a forest school in East Finchley. Despite some last-minute dropouts, this hardy team of volunteers was ready to make a difference.

As we assembled, we shared stories of our favourite childhood books, setting a light-hearted tone before the evening’s work. A special mention to Susanna , who joined her first nighttime group run after attending our weekend intro session—she took it all in her stride.

We started with a gentle jog down East Finchley High Street to warm up, stopping midway for some dynamic exercises, including three-step punches, kick-ups, stick strides, and twists. With our heart rates up, we continued to the school, ready for the task ahead.

The Good Deed

At the school, we were greeted by wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes, with instructions from our host, Jon, to spread fresh woodchip over worn and muddy areas. The chilly night air mixed with the dust from the woodchip, creating an almost magical, eerie atmosphere.

Anthony Mak-Fan showed great commitment and determination, tackling the heavy woodchip with focus. Meanwhile, Susanna on her first group run, worked effortlessly, making a strong first impression. Rachel Melinek was her usual reliable self, leading the group back to the Phoenix with energy and enthusiasm. Beattie, always dependable, was an excellent back marker, ensuring everyone stayed together and safe.

Mid-task, I took a moment to show Susanna and Anthony around the rest of the forest school, giving them a sense of the space we were helping to maintain.

After completing the work, we returned via a slightly different route to include a sprint workout. We tackled three sets of sprints with gentle jogs in between, adding an extra fitness boost to the evening. Along the way, we also did press-ups against walls before finishing back at the Phoenix Cinema.

A Bonus Good Deed

While warming down with gentle stretches, an elderly lady approached and asked for assistance retrieving personal items from her car. She needed her credit cards to pay for a film. Without hesitation, we stepped in to help, completing an unexpected but rewarding second good deed to end our session.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and worked hard to help the forest school. Your dedication and teamwork continue to make a difference in our community!

On Sunday, 19th January, five brilliant members of GoodGym Barnet rolled up their sleeves to support a fantastic local project at Lyttelton Playing Fields. With cool but dry January weather on our side, we got involved in planting a hedgerow, creating a beautiful willow tunnel, and spreading mulch to protect other trees in the area.

A Buzz of Activity

When I arrived, the site was a hive of activity, with volunteers hard at work. Danieland Phil were already busy planting whips for the new hedgerow. Daniel showed me the intriguing technique—using a shovel to lever open a small space, just enough to plant each whip. This hedgerow will not only define a corner of the playing fields but also provide a valuable habitat for local wildlife. It’s a wonderful ecological boost for the area!

True to GoodGym tradition, Daniel had cycled to the event, adding a touch of sustainable transport to the day’s efforts.

Willow Wonders and Mulch Magic

Two of our members Beattieand Cherianturned their attention to the willow tunnel—a striking structure that took shape beautifully. By the time we finished, it was a true piece of living art that will surely delight children (and the young at heart!) for years to come.

Meanwhile, my personal highlight was tackling the mulch pile. Digging, lifting, and spreading mulch over muddy areas and planting zones was an excellent workout and immensely satisfying. It’s always rewarding to see the immediate impact of your efforts on the environment.

A Warm Welcome and a Job Well Done

The organisers had kindly arranged tea and cake at the nearby bowls club, where the turnout was so impressive they could hardly believe it. With so many hands on deck, we managed to complete the work efficiently and in great spirits.

Join Us Next Time!

This project at Lyttelton Playing Fields showcased the heart of GoodGym—combining fitness, community, and fun. Whether you’re planting trees, digging mulch, or just enjoying a well-earned slice of cake, GoodGym offers the perfect way to give back while staying active.

A huge thanks to everyone who came along and to the organisers for hosting such an enjoyable event. We hope to return soon to continue supporting this wonderful community space.

If you’d like to get involved in future GoodGym activities, come join us—you’ll be part of a group that makes a real difference while having a great time. See you next time!

Picture this: a mild winter’s evening in January, the kind where the air is crisp enough to make your cheeks pink but not so biting that your fingers refuse to function. It’s the sort of evening that whispers, “Stay indoors, put the kettle on, and ignore doing good with Goodgym! But, dear reader, this is exactly the sort of evening when six brave (or perhaps just mildly delusional) GoodGym volunteers laced up their trainers and set off from the Phoenix Cinema on our regular Tuesday run.

Let me pause to wax lyrical about the Phoenix Cinema. A recently refurbished little gem in the Barnet crown, it’s a piece of history where you can enjoy the cinematic delights of arthouse films and, let’s face it, a surprisingly new plush seat. If you haven’t been, consider this a polite nudge to visit. Use it or lose it—much like your fitness and, dare I say, sanity.

But I digress. Back to the task at hand. Our mission: to run 2 km to Shepherd Hill Gardens and assist the indefatigable Pat and Joan, two of Barnet’s many unsung heroes, in their noble quest to maintain the local green space. If you’ve ever wandered through a beautifully tended garden or park and thought, “Isn’t this lovely?” I assure you, it didn’t get that way by magic. Behind every pristine flowerbed and neatly stacked pile of sticks is someone like Pat or Joan—elderly volunteers who, with little fanfare, keep the green lungs of our city breathing.

We arrived earlier than expected, perhaps overzealous after a holiday season of indulgence, and were greeted with warm smiles and an armful of rakes. Our task was simple yet oddly satisfying: collect leaves, organize wood, and add to the composting area. It was humbling to see how grateful Pat and Joan were for our modest contribution. Just thirty minutes of our time, and their gratitude practically glowed. It reminded me how vital it is not only to support these heroes physically—lifting, raking, and hauling—but also morally. A little encouragement and camaraderie go a long way.

And then came the hot chocolate. Oh, the hot chocolate! Served with biscuits that defied all logic of biscuitry—crispy, crumbly, buttery perfection. I don’t know if it was the slightly drizzly air, the post-exertion euphoria, or just the fact that everything tastes better when you’ve earned it, but that hot chocolate was nothing short of divine. George, our vegan compatriot, tragically missed out on the biscuits and milky goodness, but he later made amends with a plant-based version back at the Phoenix.

For my part, I’d overdressed in a polyester fiasco of layers, so while George sipped his vegan cocoa, I found myself cooling down with ice cream. Because why not? Life’s little contradictions are what keep it interesting.

With the tools tidied and farewells exchanged, we headed back, our chatter a little louder, our spirits a little lighter. The takeaway from the evening, beyond the calories burned and the biscuits consumed, was this: we should all be a little more aware of the invisible army of people like Pat and Joan who give their time to make our communities greener, cleaner, and altogether more pleasant.

So, next time you’re strolling through a park or passing by a well-kept garden, spare a thought for the quiet heroes behind the scenes. Better yet, lend them a hand—it’s amazing what half an hour and a bit of moral support can do. And don’t forget to reward yourself with a hot chocolate. Or an ice cream. Or both. You’ve earned it. well done to our team give them a shout!

Beattie Theodore Lucinda George and our news recruit

Subham