Octopus Community Network
Octopus Community Network is a collaboration between the largest multi-purpose community centres in Islington
We run lots of projects including 'We Can Grow' which encourages food growing on housing estates around Islington as well as engaging with residents to increase environmental literacy and access to outdoor spaces.97 GoodGymers have supported Octopus Community Network with 52 tasks.
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Upcoming sessions
Monday 4th August 2025 6:45pm - 8:30pm
Monday 18th August 2025 6:45pm - 8:30pm
Previous sessions
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.
Another Good Turn and a Berry Nice Reward
Saturday 31st August 2024
Written by anne malcolm
Two Goodgymmers were back on hand today, helping the community gardeners at Highbury Quadrant.
After giving a young apricot tree a good drink, the goodgymmers were introduced to the compost heaps where fresh cuttings from the garden were dug and turned into the the existing heap to help speed up the composting process. A local robin joined in a supervisory role.
Then, following a quick introduction to the tiger worms in the wormery, and the 'hot box' full of not-tiger-worms, the next task was to water the plants and raised beds.
There was still time left to harvest the ripe tomatoes and pinch back the basil plants in the greenhouse to encourage new growth.
As we worked, we were offered raspberries and black currants fresh from the garden, and we left with a wonderfully fragrant stash of rosemary, basil and tomatoes to enjoy at home.
Water on tap
Saturday 3rd August 2024
Written by Dan (He/ him)
We arrived and the sun came out as we divided and watered the community gardens, which included apple, pear trees and berry plants, giving them a well earned drink. 🍎 🍐 🫐 💦
We DEED It!
Monday 13th May 2024
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
After a glorious weekend of spring time sunshine, we were thrilled to meet up for our weekly Monday group session back at the Arsenal Community Hub. Simon, Mehmet, Dan and Caitlin performed a series of warm up dynamic exercises o the Emirates Stadium slopes before running 1 mile up Highbury Hill and over to Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens.
It is our pleasure to congratulate Dan on joining us for 50 sessions, and Caitlin for joining us for 100 sessions! An awesome achievement, and I hope you both continue to run with us for many more!
Upon our arrival, we caught up with Emily, Alison and Lucia in the Highbury Quadrant Meadow. Frannie, one of the busiest gardening coordinators in the borough (who is now working for Elizabeth House!) and resident gardener Peter, set us a collection of tasks along the newly developed wild flower spaces. Group 1 were taken to the orchard with wheelbarrows and shovels, and helped with moving freshly cultivated compost into flowerbeds (while trying not to spook a curious fox friend next door).
Group 2 stayed in the main wildflower plot (super lush and green after the sun and heavy rains), and helped with clearing a pathway using clippers and secateurs through the forest. Together, we also assisted with moving some heavy logs and branches away from the entrance way, so residents can visit soon.
More work will be coming soon to prepare to the London Open Parks Festival on 8th and 9th June- follow the link for more information:
https://londongardenstrust.org/
Smashing work everyone. We all took the opportunity to travel back to The Emirates Stadium (walking, running and cycling) before heading to The Highbury Library bottle shop in Drayton Park to celebrate our achievements over the last month. Awesome stuff!
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 16th May- Battersea Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-vi-guide-running-battersea-park
Thursday 23rd May- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 6th June- Green Park
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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
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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 25th May-
Saturday 1st June-
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 8th June, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
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.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Post Group Run Social- May!
Monday 13th May, 8.45pm, The Highbury Library
Our monthly post group run meet up- at a smashing spot in Drayton Park. Join us after our trip to Highbury Quadrant Estate!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/post-group-run-social-highbury-library
The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 17th May, 7pm, The ARC Centre, Angel
Come and help the local volunteer gardening team with some lifting and shifting on Regent's Canal. Followed by a trip to The Hanbury Arms in Packington Square!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens
Night of the 10,000m PBs- Volunteer marshals for the UK athletics party of the year!
Saturday 18th May, 2pm - 10pm, Parliament Hill Track
Help the UK's premier grassroots athletic event go ahead on Parliament Hill!
The event is an annual full day of endurance distance racing with the most competitive runners on the scene. These races have been listed as part of the European 10,000m qualification criteria, so some incredible running will be on show!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (May)
Saturday 18th May, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Hackney Half Volunteer Aid Station!
Sunday 19th May, 7am - 1pm, Hackney Marshes Centre
Help our fellow runners at this incredible local half marathon party! Join the Goodgym team at an official water and aid station to cheer on the participants!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/hackney-half-aid-station-volunteering
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 19th May, 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-may-2024
British Blind Sports Walk Series- Highgate Woods
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Highgate Underground Station
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting the Parkland Walk and Finsbury Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/british-blind-sport-walking-group-highgate-woods
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London Orienteering Klubb- Finsbury Park Go Orienteering Event
Tuesday 21st May, The Twelve Pins, 6pm onwards
Orienteering is really great fun! All abilities running, walking and map reading.
Follow a map offered by London Orienteering Klubb, and find the "controls" (flags and scanning points) across Finsbury Park in order.
2.5km and 5km distances on offer
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-orienteering-klubb-finsbury-park
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 26th May, 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.
Back to our roots
Saturday 4th May 2024
Written by Dan (He/ him)
Six GoodGymers arrived on this sunny Saturday morning to help clear an unusable allotment bed which was covered with ivy, random objects and deep roots.
We cleared the whole bed making a big difference and it looked as good as new! Ready for growing and it will help with biodiversity in the area.
We also uncovered a forgotten bench and found time to give it a bit of a spruce up.
Eager Easter Efforts at Highbury Quadrant Meadow
Friday 29th March 2024
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
We were thrilled to have a great turn out for a quick turnaround request from Frannie and the lovely team at Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens.
The crew received a very generous amount of quality compost from a supplier in Essex, who was courteous enough to drop it off in person. So we put out a call out for strong helpers to assist with distributing the compost into newly prepared vegetable plots and flower beds across the gardens. Anne, Dan and David also helped with spreading the compost evenly across the beds using shovels and hoes, ready for springtime planting by local residents.
Wonderful work everyone. Have a lovely Easter break!
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