Block or report Francesco Ruvolo
Friday 7th March
Francesco Ruvolo completed 15 good deeds with GoodGym.
Francesco has completed their 15th good deed with GoodGym
Thu 6th Mar at 4:45pm
Barnet Report written by Paul Salman
Penny Salman Shines at Barnetâs InspirationALL Awards! đđŞđ
Yesterday at Barnet Town Hall, the borough came together to celebrate the incredible women and girls making a real impact in their communities. Among them was GoodGym Barnetâs very own Penny Salman, who was Highly Commended in the Inspiring Young Woman category! đđ
Penny is a force of nature when it comes to sustainability, community action, and keeping fit while making a difference. As an active member of GoodGym Barnet, she combines exercise with community serviceâwhether thatâs clearing green spaces, helping local projects, or encouraging others to get involved.
But thatâs not all! Penny is also the founder of Threads for a Penny, her Instagram platform (7.5k followers and growing!) where she promotes sustainable fashion and eco-friendly living. Sheâs a dedicated advocate for active travel and sits on two Barnet Council action groups, working to make the borough a better place for everyone. đ´ââď¸đą
On the day, three GoodGym Barnet members even cycled a 3-mile round trip to the awardsâbecause what better way to show up for a sustainability champion?! They celebrated Pennyâs well-deserved recognition with tea, cake, and great company, including the Mayor of Barnet and other local heroes. âđ°
A Call to Action! đ In a world that often feels globally disconnected, the real change starts right on your doorstep. Penny is proof that by getting involved locally, whether through GoodGym, volunteering, or sustainability projects, you can make a tangible difference. We need more young people to step up, get active, and be part of shaping a healthier, greener, and more connected Barnet.
Want to know more? Check out all the winners and nominees from this incredible event đ Barnet InspirationALL 2024/25
https://www.engage.barnet.gov.uk/inspirationall-2024-25
And donât forget to follow Pennyâs journey on Instagram at @ThreadsForAPenny for all things sustainable fashion and community action! đâťď¸
#InspirationALL #BarnetAwards #GoodGym #SustainableLiving #ThreadsForAPenny #ActiveCommunity #GetInvolved
Sat 15th Feb at 8:30pm
Barnet Report written by Paul Salman
GoodGym Barnet Report: Helping at the Night Shelter in Mill Hill
Last night, Penny and Franky joined forces with other volunteers at the Barnet Night Shelter in Mill Hill, rolling up their sleeves to prepare food and support those in need.
With 8 volunteers and 12 guests, the evening was a fantastic opportunity to connect, give back, and make a tangible difference in the community. Penny summed it up perfectly:
âWe prepared the hall, served the food, cleaned up, and washed the dishes. It was great fun and lovely to connect with others!â
The shelter provides warm meals, a safe space, and a friendly atmosphere for those facing homelessness, and there will be more opportunities to get involved!
If youâd like to be part of this rewarding experience, keep an eye on upcoming sessionsâweâd love to see more GoodGymers getting involved!
Tue 17th Dec 2024 at 6:45pm
Barnet Report written by Paul Salman
GoodGym Barnet: Supporting Citizens Advice Barnet Through Fitness, Fun, and Community Spirit
This week, GoodGym Barnet came together for a festive group run with a purpose â supporting the Citizens Advice Bureau Barnet by delivering fundraising leaflets in East Finchley. Citizens Advice provides crucial support to underprivileged and vulnerable people, protecting their rights and ensuring they can access essential services. Many donât realise that this vital organisation relies on grants, just like any other charity, to continue its work.
We were delighted to have two representatives from Citizens Advice join us at the start of our run outside our new meeting point,( thank you Louise The White Lion Pub. They explained why fundraising is so important and how our leaflet drop could make a real difference in reaching local residents. This was a repeat of our efforts last year, which resulted in a positive fundraising responseâand we were more than happy to give it another go.
As we warmed up outside the pub, there was a great buzz as we shared our Christmas plansâeverything from wild pond swims to binge-watching festive TV favourites. With everyone ready, we split into teams and set off into the cool December air, delivering over 300 leaflets through the streets of East Finchley.
While some of us ran in âIndian fileâ formation (always a great way to keep the energy up!), Dave and Ben led the walking team, ensuring every doorstep was reached. Leaflet drops always come with a few quirksâadmiring local homes, cautiously listening for barking dogs, and navigating slippery garden paths. Safety first, as always!
The group smashed it, working swiftly and efficiently as two teams covered both sides of each street. Before long, we were back at The White Lion, where the walkers had already grabbed a well-earned drink. The pub was alive with atmosphere, and it was brilliant to unwind together over food and drinks. We were joined by some special guests, including Donald from Finchley Pastures and Alison and Warwick from Stephens House and Gardensâkey community figures who, like us, care deeply about bringing people together.
This run was a fantastic way to round off a year of supporting great causes through fitness and teamwork. In 2024 alone, GoodGym Barnet has delivered foodbank donations, supported local charities, and helped countless community groups while building friendships, staying active, and having a lot of fun along the way.
Looking ahead to 2025, we hope to do even more to support local people and grow our community connectionsâbut we need YOU to get involved. Whether you join us once or twice a month, youâll have fun, get fit, and make a real difference. Bring a friend, drag along a colleague, or, as we like to joke, âblindfold and kidnap themââwhatever it takes, just come and join us in 2025!
We promise youâll leave with a smile, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe a pint at the end. Hereâs to another year of running, walking, cycling, and helping our community thrive.
Fri 20th Dec 2024 at 3:42pm
Thank you so much, everyone! It was lovely to meet you all and see some familiar faces from last year's Christmas appeal door-drop. We've already had a few donations from Tuesday's door-drop, and it's always good to spread the word that we're a local charity. I look forward to updating you on how much we raised in January; in the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful festive season and wish you all the best for the New Year.
Tue 17th Dec 2024 at 6:45pm
Help support valuable work in the community
Read moreTue 17th Dec 2024 at 8:30pm
Join us for some festive cheer after our group run/walk!
Read moreTue 29th Oct 2024 at 6:45pm
Barnet Report written by Paul Salman
GoodGym Adventure to Barnwood Community Garden â A Night of Fun, Fitness, and Forest Paths
Last night, GoodGym Barnet hit the streets for a session unlike any other! The goal? Make a difference at Barnwood Community Garden, a beautiful green space devoted to connecting people through woodland crafts and Forest Schools. This hidden gem offers people of all ages a place to hone craft skills, enjoy nature, and grow as a community. For us, it was a chance to get outside, work up a sweat, and make some real impact!
We kicked things off with our usual meetup at the Phoenix Cinema, where all but one of us gathered. It was inspiring to see new faces and many others opting to walk, showing GoodGymâs inclusivity in action! To mix things up, we played a quick round of âTwo Truths and a Lieâ in the cinema foyer, sparking hilarious debates that lasted the whole evening. Rachaelâs detective skills were truly tested, especially with the help of her trusty head torch!
After a challenging warm-up, with hill sprints, heel kicks, and crossovers to get our blood pumping, we divided into running and walking groups. George led the runners, taking them on a longer, scenic route, while Paul led the walkers. Along the way, Paulâs group stopped for static squats, building quad strength and some friendly competition. At one point, the walkers challenged the runners to try their squats, which kept spirits high and added some laughs as they raced ahead.
When we finally arrived at the garden, Leo greeted us with a quick briefing on the amazing work Barnwood does, including an inspiring project pairing community mentors over 60 with young people. The nightâs task? Laying down fresh woodchip on paths to keep them safe and mud-free for Barnwoodâs upcoming Halloween event, complete with pumpkin soup cooked over the open fire!
Jack met us at the venue, despite being on the injured list, as he trains for his marathon. We all pitched in, shoveling and spreading woodchip until the garden looked ready for its Halloween debut. The walkers made an early exit and reached Phoenix just in time to meet up with the runners for a warm-down. Almost everyone stayed afterward to relax, share laughs, and continue the debate over who told the best lies!
This weekâs squad of GoodGym heroes:
Reflecting on the night, itâs these quirky conversations and shared moments that make GoodGym so unique. Imagine telling your coworkers how you ran through East Finchley, laid woodland paths by night, and debated lies over tea in a cinema lobby. Only at GoodGym! Join us next week for more fun, fitness, and community spiritâwalking or running, everyoneâs welcome!
Tue 29th Oct 2024 at 6:45pm
Improve the environment.
Read moreWednesday 31st July 2024
Francesco Ruvolo led a GoodGym walking session, leading others to the task to get more good done
Francesco became a walk leader. Francesco led the way for others to get fit by doing good.
Tue 30th Jul 2024 at 6:45pm
Barnet Report written by Paul Salman
Last nightâs GoodGym group run was a delightful mix of community spirit, fitness, and fun. We set out to meet Linda from the Friends group, who had requested our help to clear the area around the childrenâs playground and fitness equipment in Coldfall Woods.
The evening was warm and beautiful, perfect for a summer run. We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, chatting excitedly about our upcoming holidays, before numbering up and setting off on a 4km run through the charming backstreets of East Finchley. Despite the heat, we took breaks to catch our breath and stay together, embodying GoodGymâs philosophy of social, inclusive running.
Upon reaching Coldfall Woods, Linda welcomed us and provided tools and bags. We spent a productive 40 minutes clearing weeds around benches and equipment, and picking up litter. It was rewarding to see the area looking tidier and more inviting for the community.
As the sun began to set, we headed back, the golden light filtering through the trees. We couldnât resist playing a bit of frisbee on the recreational ground, laughing and enjoying the simple pleasure of throwing and catching as we ran.
We finished back at the Phoenix for a good stretch, savoring the last moments of the glowing sunset. Some of us then went to the pub for a well-deserved drink and a chat. To top off the evening, we watched the final of the freestyle relay event where Great Britain won the gold medal.
In our own way, we felt like we had won a medal too. Thanks to everyone who came out, ran, and helped make a positive impact in our community!
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