The Lighthouse Community
A Food Growing Space designed to promote local food and plants knowledge and tools to become more resilient
involve people into the process of growing food from scratch, explaining the benefits of specific plants and teaching about a number of gardening techniques and approaches19 GoodGymers have supported The Lighthouse Community with 6 tasks.
Top supporters
Upcoming sessions
Monday 20th October 2025 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Previous sessions
Pentecostal Painting Peers
Monday 8th September
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening in Stroud Green, Eslam was on hand to help with a smashing community task at The Light of the World Church. The Goodgym Islington crew did a smashing job of lifting, shifting qnd gardening in this lovely hidden green space. Followed by some indoor painting jobs (especially good for these darker evenings- lights and torches are recommended between now and Spring time!).
Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN SEPTEMBER
Group Run - Caledonian Park- Autumn Path Building 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 15th September
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-caledonian-park-autumn-path-building
Community Mission - Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate Wildflower Gardens, Monday 22nd September
Group Run - Thornhill Square Gardens, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 29th September
Community Mission - Sunnyside Community Gardens, 7.15pm, Sunnyside Community Gardens, Monday 6th October
Group Run - Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 13th October
Community Mission - Light of the World Church Gardening and Painting, 7.15pm, Evershot Road, Monday 20th October
Group Run - Timbuktu Adventure Playground 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 29th October
—-----------------------------------
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!
SEPTEMBER
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 18th September
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 25th September
—------------------
OCTOBER
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 2th October
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 9th October
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 16th October
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 23rd October
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 30th October
—-----------------------------
Track and Towpath - Mile End Green Bridge Bash
Thursday 18th September, 7.50am Lion Coffee Shop, Burdett Road
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun incline trading session Mile End and Limehouse can be a difficult place to find elevation. But this "Kenyan Hills" inspired workout would be smashing for the learning ups and downs. All paces and abilities welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/track-and-towpath-mile-end-green-bridge-bash
—-----------------------------
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 16th September:
—--------------------------
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 17th September
—-----------------------------
World Clean Up Day - Finsbury Park Plogging with Sustainable Nutrition Academy
Saturday 20th September, 10.30am - 12 midday, The Museum of Homelessness, Finsbury Park
Eslam from the Sustainable Nutrition Academy is leading a litter picking session around Finsbury Park
Together, the plan is to gather litter and rubbish from the perimeter of the park, particularly around fences and hedgerows.
—-----------------------------
Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 20th September, 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.
—---------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - July Volunteer Day
Sunday 28th September, 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.
—-------------------------------
Camino Ultra Epping Forest 50km and 25km Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars 2025!!!
Sunday 4th October, 9am onwards, Rangers Road, Chingford
DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
—--------------------------------------
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 13th October, 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.
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.
Shell-ebrate Good Times, Come On
Monday 17th March
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon met with Matt, Anne and Eslam at The Light of the World Church, off Evershot Street on Monday evening (following a 1.3 mile run up Sobell Road from the Arsenal Community Hub). We were led through some very tall locked doors (easily overlooked a street level), through to an exciting gardening space next to the church building. It was wonderful to return after our visits in September 2024, as we were able to see that our compost project had proven to be successful, and fresh fertiliser was ready for use!
Our task for the evening involved transporting new growing materials to 4 planters surrounding the perimeter of the garden. These were filled with layers of woodchip, new compost and sea shells ( collected from restaurants around the Islington borough). Together, we filled up the buckets of each material using forks and shovels, and dropped them neatly into each planter.
Within 50 minutes, 2 planters were filled with new soil mixtures, ready for planting new produce and allowing deep roots to grow. Super impressive work from our small team- great job all!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN MARCH
Community Mission- Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, 7.15pm, Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, Monday 24th March
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-hornsey-rise-kickabout-playground
Group Run- Thornhill Square Gardens, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 31st March
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-thornhill-square-gardens-summer-time-special
Community Mission- Barnsbury Square Gardens 7.15pm, Barnsbury Square Gardens Monday 7th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-friends-of-barnsbury-square-gardens
Group Run- Elizabeth House Food Hub 6.15pm (early start), Arsenal Community Hub Monday 14th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-elizabeth-house-food-hub-6-15-pm-start-easter-special
—------------------------------------
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!
Emirates Stadium Thursday 20th March https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-669c6d0f-bb64-4576-98f1-c6f03c2da136
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 27th March https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-099692a8-c920-490a-bd12-7c54f238c247
Green Park Thursday 3rd April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-2ac7d985-4c29-48ba-806a-b17afad7039b
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 10th April https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-d35d794a-d813-4cb4-ba66-13782bb31631
—--------------------------------------
Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions
Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track
If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.
Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!
Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!
Wednesday 19th March
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-6
Wednesday 2nd April
Wednesday 16th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-8
Wednesday 30th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-9
Wednesday 14th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-10
—-------------------------------------
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 18th March, 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!
—---------------------------------------
Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 19th March
Saturday 22nd March
Wednesday 26th March
Wednesday 2nd April
Wednesday 23rd April
Wednesday 30th April
Wednesday 7th May
Wednesday 14th May
Wednesday 21st May
Next session:
—---------------
Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 18th March
Tuesday 25th March
Tuesday 1st April
Tuesday 22nd April
Tuesday 29th April
Tuesday 6th May
Tuesday 13th May
Tuesday 20th May
Next Session:
—----------------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - March Volunteer Day Sunday 30th March, 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/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-march-76de9ec8-b771-45d3-bddc-2fd5650e46b6
—----------------------------
Camino Ultra London- Lea Valley Races Finish Line Party!
Saturday 29th March, 12 midday, Hackney Bridge, Stratford
The Camino Ultra London 50km and Gratitude 25km returns for 2025, stretching from Welwyn Garden City, to Ware, and then down the Lea Valley to our finishing line in Hackney Wick (Here East).
Race organisers Darren Strachan and David Bone aka DaznBone would love to invite the Goodgym community back to bring excitement and positivity to our runners, as they finish their races.
The theme is: Bring The Party!!!
Cowbells, cheers, noise makers, music and fun!
—-----------------------------
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th April, 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.
—--------------------------------------
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (April)
Saturday 19th April, 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.
—-----------------------------
Hackney Half Aid Station and Marshal Volunteering
Sunday 18th May, 7am onwards, Marion Place, Pritchard's Road (TBC)
The team at Motiv Sport have asked if our Goodgym team would be interested assisting with the 2024 Hackney Half Marathon on one of the 6 water and aid stations.
All volunteers that help in 2025 are offered a free place in any of our running events in 2026 (Hackney Half, London 10K, Oxford Half).
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/hackney-half-aid-station-and-marshal-volunteering
—----------------------------
Mack on Track 02: marshals and pacers wanted!
Thursday 22nd May, 6.30pm, London Marathon Community Track, Stratford
Mack on Track is a super inclusive 5000m track running event, with a twist. The objective is to help as many runner as possible get (or come close to) their personal beats for 5km by providing trusted pacers to do so.
The team are looking for helps to assist with registration of participants, alerting runners about when each pace group starts and cheering on the athletes!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/mack-on-track-03-marshals-and-pacers-wanted
—---------------------------
London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH
An incredible event that offers runners to opportunity to race through traffic free streets in the Capital!
Motiv Sports (who also operate the Hackney Half and Oxford Half marathons) have requested Goodgym assistance to help at their 2nd aid station on the day.
Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!
Shears, Cheers and Beers
Monday 16th September 2024
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with Luke, Mehmet and Louise at the Arsenal Community Hub during the golden hour- the sun was setting as we engaged in a series of dynamic warm ups in front of the Emirates Stadium. Together, we ran up Sobell Road (past the famous ice rink), along Fonthill Road (by the WB Yeates pub- named after the Irish poet) and onwards to the Light of the World Church, the home of the Lighthouse Community Project.
On route, we ran with Dan and met Eslam at the site- who was preparing the space for this evening's session. The plan is to build the green space behind the church into a community growing area for neighbouring residents, so our Goodgym crew were thrilled to get involved! Luke and Eslam began with clipping away lots of overgrown greenery surrounding the gardens using shears and standing secateurs- a time consuming job, completed with many hands! Meanwhile, Louise, Mehmet and Dan assisted with shoveling some misplaced wood and bark chippings from two large planters, and spreading the material across the back yard (helping to protect the soil and to encourage visitors to use the grass areas during the winter months).
50 minutes was the perfect duration for this task, as our trio of diggers unloaded the last of the chippings at exactly 8pm- it was meant to be! We set off back down Evershot Street together before splitting off into two groups- Area Activator Simon ran back to The Emirates Stadium, but met with Dan and Louise for food and refreshments at The Swimmer N4 to celebrate our monthly post group run socials! Well done everyone!
---------‐--------------------------------
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
--------‐-----------------------------
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!
Thursday 19th September- Paddington Rec Track (Janice's Birthday Special)
Thursday 26th September- Stratford Olympic Park
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (September)
Saturday 21st September, 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.
Highbury Quadrant Greening with Elizabeth House
Every Saturday, 10.30am - 12 midday, Highbury Quadrant Meadow
A fantastic task for post-parkrun runners at Highbury Fields or Finsbury Park!
Elizabeth House Community Centre, in partnership with Islington Council, Highbury Quadrant Tenants and Residents Association, Highbury Councillors and community organisations transformed three unloved and unusable green spaces on Highbury Quadrant estate.
These green spaces have been designed into three distinct spaces, improving bio-diversity and the local environment. There is now a beautiful meadow, an orchard and woodland areas.
Local residents have the opportunity to access these green spaces and take part in gardening and nature based activities, every Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm.
Saturday 28th September
Thornhill Square Gardens- October Workday
Saturday 5th October, 10am - midday, Thornhill Square Gardens
This is an open volunteer gardening morning set up by the Friends of Thornhill Square. As one of the largest public spaces in Islington without council maintenance assistance, extra pairs of hands for bulb planting, composting, litter picking and preparing flower beds would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-october
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th October, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 20th October, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-october-2024
Camino Ultra London Lee Valley Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars
Saturday 5th October, 9am onwards, Ranger's Retreat, Chingford DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Gait Analysis Training Session with Area Activator Simon
Wednesday 9th October, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
Gait analysis has been proved to be a useful tool for highlighting potential issues, making suggestions for improvement and checking efficiency in movement.
Simon would like to offer 10 Goodgymmers the opportunity to join him for a dynamic warm up and short interval session.
During the evening, recordings for forward momentum, running form and lateral stability (at different paces) will be made, and used to make suggestions for training focus or for footwear choices.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gait-analysis-training-session-with-area-activator-simon
Goodgym Race Team Big 4- Love Luton RunFest 2024
Sunday 13th October, 8.45am onwards, Luton Town Centre
This 5k, 10k, and half marathon around the streets of Luton is a popular road race with GoodGym. Join us for this 4th and final official GoodGym race team race of 2024. Big Goodgym running crew meet up to be expected!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/love-luton-love-luton-runfest-2024
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
Met League Cross Country is a set of five 7-8km races organised by London race clubs. They are held in parks and forests around London with the routes including a mixture of grass, gravel and a fair bit of mud (it is XC after all!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £6!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
12th October Claybury https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-claybury-3aab4cb8-8f15-4d0d-a0ed-126cdf50e85e
9th November Horsenden Hill https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
Lifting for Lighthouse
Wednesday 5th June 2024
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
x