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.