GoodGym Islington
We are not a-pathetic, we love spades very mulch
Monday 30th June
Written by Islington runner
NINE GoodGymmers shovelled earth and mulch in 29C heat for Light of the World Church.
Alice, Cat, and Hermione helped Eslam to shift and water some soil while Matt, Sarah, Emily, Caitlin, and Alison laid mulch over coffee sacks to make a path.
Weeding for Wheelchair Access
Friday 27th June
Written by Hackney runner
On Friday, June 27th, 2025, I undertook a mission to clear wheelchair access for Mrs. K, who is in her late 90s! The task involved weeding and cutting back overgrown footpaths in her back garden. There was a lot to do, and I made a good start on clearing the area.
Clearing out garden
Friday 27th June
Written by Kareem
Mrs A was having issues with accessing the garden as it was overgrown. The garden has been cutback where there scaffolding is erected for easy access.
Hyde Park Heroes with Achilles International
Thursday 26th June
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Last night, the London chapter of the Achilles International crew hosted their weekly group run in Hyde Park for the first time. The members of the all-abilities guide running charity met at Lancaster Gate station, before we all made our way over the Italian Gardens to establish a bag drop location. 6 visually impaired runners (Andrew, Andy, Mark N, Yahya, Naqi and Brendan) and many guides (including first time Goodgym participant Olivia- welcome!) enjoyed some excellent laps of the Royal Park on a very warm evening. A successful session, thanks to the efforts of all of our volunteers.
Join us at Stratford Olympic Park next week!
Plant Hydration Stations
Monday 23rd June
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
It was wonderful to have so many participants for our group run session to Highbury Quadrant Estate on Monday evening! 11 Goodgymmers (including first timer Lazar - welcome!) helped local volunteer coordinator Frannie and the team at Elizabeth House with a variety of green fingered tasks around the woodland gardens.
4 Goodgym runners joined Area Activator Simon for a warm up on the Emirates Stadium slopes, and a pleasant (if slightly hilly) run towards Clissold Park. Together, we gathered in the Wildflower Meadow community space, ready to assist the local residents (and to pet a 2 year old Border Terrier called Bernie- she was very friendly and was keen to meet new visitors!).
Group 1 were requested to pull on some gardening gloves, and to help with releasing rainwater from two large water butts next to the tool shed. The butts were in need of a clean, but we wanted to thoroughly drench all of the growing beds first to give the fruits, vegetables and flowers the best chance of surviving this very hot weather. A big job, but completed by the Goodgym team!
Group 2 started with using loppers to chop down the overgrown ivy surrounding the brick walls of the Wildflower gardens. Then, the rest of the crew used hoes, secateurs and rakes to gather up as much green waste as possible from the connected garden spaces. Anne and Matt took on the top garden, while Rosie and Michael (who completed his 50th good deed with us tonight! Congratulations!) made short work of the pathways by the allotments.
We did an amazing amount of work within 50 minutes - stellar job Goodgym folks! To celebrate, we ran back to the Arsenal Community Hub, and enjoyed a post group run social at The Tollington Arms. Highly recommended for delicious Thai cuisine and good times!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JUNE AND JULY
Group Walk!- Light of the World Church Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 30th June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-light-of-the-world-church-gardening-project
Note: We will be walking from Arsenal Community Hub at 6.45pm sharp to arrive at Light of the World Church Gardens for 7.15pm!
Community Mission- Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, 7.15pm, Hornsey Rise, Monday 7th July
Community Mission- Timbuktu Adventure Playground 7.15pm, Grenville Road, Islington, Monday 14th July
Group Run- Isledon Gardens Nature Trail 6.45pm, Isledon Gardens, Parkside Crescent, Monday 21st July
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-isledon-gardens-nature-trail
Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 28th July
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
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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!
Hyde Park Summer Session Thursday 26th June
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 3rd July
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 10th July
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 1st July, 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 25th June
Saturday 28th June
Wednesday 2nd July
Wednesday 9th July
Wednesday 16th July
Saturday 26th July
Next session:
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Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 1st July
Tuesday 8th July
Tuesday 15th July
Next Session:
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Penn Road Gardens - June Volunteer Day
Sunday 29th June, 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. https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-june-9e600c77-b5a5-4aa8-abeb-c47ddf68b57d
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Elizabeth House Food Hub - Blue Day Leafleting Campaign
Saturday 12th July, 10.30am - 1.30pm, Elizabeth House Food Hub
A session of distributing flyers across the Islington, Finsbury Park and Highbury boroughs to promote the amazing work by Elizabeth House Food Hub. Great to attend after parkrun!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-blue-day-leafleting-campaign
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th July, 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 (July)
Saturday 19th July, 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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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 19th July, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
Cutting back to find some light
Saturday 21st June
Written by Islington runner
Initially I struggled to get into the block but M was very accommodating on the phone and I found my way in! I focused efforts on cutting back the main tree in her garden whilst also trimming back bits hanging over her fence. It was a very hot day but M sat out on her terrace and kept me company. She directed me effectively, asking for more off so the light would come through. There’s a lot more to do in M’s garden and I hope to return to help her further.
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