0 Month Streak
1 Month Streak





Mon 12th Jan at 7:15pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a slightly rainy Monday evening, Area Activator Simon met with early Goodgym arrival Steph Ducat at The ARC Centre, Islington. Stephane told me that he had passed through the area for another mission just the other day, and was happy to join us for our riverside plogging session that evening. As the rest of our crew gathered up, we took our our hardy gloves, litter pickers, head torches and bin bags ready for our brisk walk, along with small bags of bird seed for feeding the local water fowl on Regent's Canal. The birds have had a hard time recently, especially with the icy conditions and frozen water!
Within 50 minutes, we had walked together through the Riverside Gardens (on the Packington Estate) and along the canal side to De Beauvoir, Shoreditch, collecting loads of rubbish and debris on route. Almost 7 full bags of rubbish had been gathered from the parks and the towpath. Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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SESSIONS IN JANUARY
Group Run - Camden Estate Gardens Monday 19th January, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Community Mission - Thornhill Square Gardens Monday 26th January, 7.15pm, Thornhill Square Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/community-mission-thornhill-square-gardens-bulb-planting
Group Run - Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens Monday 2nd February, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
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Goodgym Social & Area Activator Simon’s Last Session
Monday 2nd February, 8.30pm, The Tollington Arms, Islington
After 6.5 years, Area Activator Simon will be hosting his final group run session with Goodgym Islington this evening.
After our group run to Highbury Quadrant Estate, we will be making a trip to the award winning local pub, The Tollington Arms, less than 200m away from our bag drop location on Benwell Road!
As well as offering excellent refreshments, the pub has been well known for offering delicious Thai food with loads of varied dietary and vegan options available!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/aa-simon-s-last-session-the-tollington-arms-arsenal
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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!
JANUARY
Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground) Thursday 8th January, 6pm
Stratford Olympic Park (Stratford underground station Westfield exit) Thursday 15th January, 6pm
Emirates Stadium (Arsenal underground) Thursday 22nd January, 6pm
Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground) Thursday 29th January, 6pm
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Achilles International UK- Greenwich Peninsula parkrun takeover
Saturday 17th January, 8.20am, North Greenwich tube station
Achilles International UK, the pan-ability charity who host regular social running events are planning on hosting a meet up at the new Greenwich Peninsula parkrun.
The team are looking for runners willing to help as a VI (visually impaired) guide for the run, but also also helpers to look after guide dogs and to offer support on the day!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-uk-greenwich-peninsula-parkrun-takeover
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Track and Towpath - January Challenge Edition!
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session
Over the month of January, Simon will be hosting a weekly morning running workouts in various parks in the Islington and Tower Hamlets boroughs.
All paces and abilities welcome!
The intention is to build up fitness together towards the Runthrough Victoria Park 10km on Sunday 1st February.
Thursday 8th January 7.50am, Arsenal Community Hub, Emirates Stadium
Thursday 15th January 7.50am, Poplar Union, Bartlett Park
Thursday 22nd January 7.50am, Common Ground coffee, Finsbury Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-finsbury-park-kenyan-hills
Thursday 29th January 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall, Meath Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-meath-gardens-kilometres
Runthrough Victoria Park 10km Event!
Sunday 1st February, 9am, Victoria Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-runthrough-victoria-park-10km-february-2026
(Strava group link)
https://strava.app.link/3aQu4W5ISYb
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Caledonian Park junior parkrun- January 2026
Sunday mornings, 8.45am, Caledonian Park
Junior parkrun is a wonderful free weekly timed 2km social running initiative, with events occurring all across the UK (and now the world!).
Children aged from 4-14 years old are allowed to run this safe looped course in Caledonian Park however they like, with the encouragement of friendly marshals, volunteers and parents.
The core team are always on the lookout for:
Course marshals
Barcode scanners
Funnel managers
Course set-up and close down assistance
A tailwalker!
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Upcoming sessions:
Sunday 11th January
Sunday 18th January
Sunday 25th January
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Maria's Gardens, Isledon Gardens - Shed Building
Sunday 25th January, 11am - 1pm, Maria's Gardens, Islington
We are planning to lend a hand at Maria's Gardens, a Nature Trail between Isledon Gardens and the Sam Morris Nursery Gardens. One of the key objectives for this session is to build a new tool shed for the regular local gardening team.
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Green Guardians- Whittington Park Sessions
Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions, Whittington Park, Archway
We have six really interesting gardening session happening at Whittington Park. We'll be planting native wild flowers, hedging and bulbs, creating a stumper and planting fruit trees.
These are relaxed friendly sessions where the emphasis is on spending time outside in nature, whilst learning and sharing skills and meeting new people.
The sessions are free and open to all, though under 16's must be with a responsible adult. No experience is needed. We provide tools, gloves, guidance and refreshments.
Session Dates
Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Orchard tree planting with the Orchard Project (with optional free volunteers lunch at 1pm)
Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Wildlife hedge planting
Tuesday 20th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
Tuesday 27th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
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Next session
Tuesday 6th January, 10am - 12 midday:
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning
Saturday 17th January, 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 Monthly Open Volunteer Morning
Sunday 25th January, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens, Islington
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. Local volunteers will be on hand to direct anyone who arrives to offer their help between 10am- midday. Come on down to enjoy a lovely morning community task!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/penn-road-gardens-open-morning
Mon 12th Jan at 7:15pm
An night walk and "plog" along Regent's Canal, helping the local birds too!
Read moreMon 5th Jan at 6:45pm
Helping Islington Council with collecting Xmas Trees following the festive period
Read moreMon 24th Nov 2025 at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon, Da Marcus and returning Goodgymmer Frankie enjoyed a nice run across Holloway Road, and down to Thornhill Square Gardens, despite the chilly weather conditions!
Upon our arrival, we met with resident gardening expert Anna McKane, who had prepared a series of tasks for our team of 7. Our top priority for the session was to move a pile of donated wood chip over to the flower beds around the perimeter of the park, using shovels and wheelbarrows. The objective was to provide additional protection for the new bulbs trying to grow over the winter months.
Our second team used rakes and forks to clear away fallen leaves from around the lovely ancient trees to the North of the park. The leaf fall provides a great habitat for green moths, which are unfortunately invasive and harmful to the trees. The plan is to keep them at bay as much as possible!
Within our 50 minutes of lifting and shifting, we successfully cleared the wood chip pile, and had packed up 3 full builder's merchant bags of green waste, ready for the council collection in the morning. Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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SESSIONS IN DECEMBER
Community Mission - Camden Estate Community Food Gardens 7.15pm, Rowstock Gardens Monday 1st December
Group Run - Caledonian Park Winter Path Building (1), 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 7th December
Community Mission - Caledonian Park Winter Path Building (2), 7.15pm, Caledonian Park, Market Road Monday 15th December
Group Run - Festive Fleet Street Quarter Snoopy Trail, 6.45pm, St Paul's Cathedral Monday 22nd December
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/wild-in-art-fleet-street-quarter-snoopy-trail
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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!
NOVEMBER
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 27th November
Paddington Recreation Track, Maida Vale Thursday 4th December
Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Tube Thursday 11th December
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 18th December
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Track and Towpath - Stepney Green Strides
Thursday 27th November, 7.50am, Rinkoff Bakery, Stepney Green
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session
Our plan is to meet up outside Rinkoff Bakery, Stepney Green at 7.50am, before enjoying an easy jog and dynamic warm up around the Stepney Green Park by 8am.
All paces and abilities welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-stepney-green-workout
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Track and Towpath - Xmas Bouldering Special!
Thursday 4th December, 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall
As a celebration for a busy 2025 with Track and Towpath Run Group, we are planning on closing up for Xmas with a special trip to Mile End Climbing Wall.
Just £5 for an off-peak climbing session, open to boulderers of all abilities! Followed by coffee and snacks at the café.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-mile-end-climbing-wall-xmas-special
(Strava group link)
https://strava.app.link/jZ0J8GD9NXb
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Goodgym Islington Social (December) - Angel Comedy Club, Camden Head
Tuesday 9th December, 7.30pm, Camden Head Pub, Angel
A celebration of Goodgym fun over 2025, with a trip to the famous Camden Head pub in Angel, host to stand up comedy and fresh sketches, 7 days a week.
Come on down for refreshments, food and a nice catch up before the Xmas holidays!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/gg-islington-social-december-angel-comedy-club-camden-head
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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions
Tuesdays (and a single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday
Market Road Gardens, London N7 9GT
Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Market Road Gardens looking beautiful! All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.
Winter Dates
September 16th, 23rd, 30th
October 7th, 14th, 21st (not 28th!)
November 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
December 2nd, 9th and 16th
Next session
Tuesday 2nd December:
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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions
Wednesdays (and one single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday
TGC Hut, Newington Green Park Building, 2 Newington Green, London, N1 4RF
Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Newington Green tidy and lovely!
All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.
Winter Dates
September - 17th, 24th, and Saturday 27th
October- 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
November- 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
December- 3rd, 10th and 17th
Next Session
Wednesday 26th November
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Green Guardians- Whittington Park Sessions
Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions, Whittington Park, Archway
We have six really interesting gardening session happening at Whittington Park. We'll be planting native wild flowers, hedging and bulbs, creating a stumper and planting fruit trees.
These are relaxed friendly sessions where the emphasis is on spending time outside in nature, whilst learning and sharing skills and meeting new people.
The sessions are free and open to all, though under 16's must be with a responsible adult. No experience is needed. We provide tools, gloves, guidance and refreshments.
Session Dates
Thursday 16th Oct 2025, 10am to 12pm ; planting native wildflower
Thursday 13th Nov 2026,10am to 12pm ; planting native bulbs
Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Orchard tree planting with the Orchard Project (with optional free volunteers lunch at 1pm)
Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Wildlife hedge planting
Tuesday 20th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
Tuesday 27th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
—-------------------
Next session
Tuesday 6th January, 10am - 12 midday:
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Penn Road Gardens - Volunteer Day
Sunday 30th November, 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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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 13th December, 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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Elizabeth House Food Hub - Xmas Supplies Prep
Tuesday 16th December, 12.30 - 1.30pm, Elizabeth House Food Hub, Hurlock Street
The team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with preparing up the donation centre.
As the holidays are approaching, the centre will be expecting more visitors to make use of this vital service. Your help is invaluable!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-xmas-supplies-prep
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning
Saturday 20th December, 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.
Thursday 20th November 2025

Haseeb Bakht completed 5 good deeds with GoodGym.
Haseeb is a now a pretty committed GoodGym runner. They've just run to do good for the fifth time
Thu 4th Dec 2025 at 7:50am
Come and join us for a one-off bouldering session before the Christmas season begins!
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