Leaflets, Lunges & Local Advice: GoodGym Supports Citizens Advice Barnet

Nine of us gathered outside the iconic Phoenix Cinema for a GoodGym Barnet group run with a real purpose—supporting Citizens Advice Barnet. Louise from the charity kicked things off with a short talk about their work, reminding us just how much this vital service relies on local fundraising and volunteers to survive.

Before setting off, we went round the group sharing our current favourite topics of conversation—from Spanish pilots to obscure poetic periods, running tales to curious dietary trends. Let’s just say it was an eclectic warm-up for the brain as well as the body.

The physical warm-up followed suit: hill drills, knees-up, kicks, skipping and high-intensity bursts by the cinema steps. Then we split into two teams, with George back-marking and keeping us together as we pounded the pavements of East Finchley.

Both teams made light work of their routes, running efficiently through local streets, posting through doors with precision. If there was ever a pause, we threw in a few extra exercises to keep the energy up. Between us, we delivered over 500 leaflets—not bad for a Tuesday night!

The leaflets promoted a fundraising gig in support of Citizens Advice Barnet, featuring Pop & Rock covers by The Jiminy Rockit Band:

Thursday 3rd July 2025 | 8.00–10.30pm (doors open 7pm) The Claddagh Ring, 10 Church Road, NW4 4EA £13 General Admission / £5 Staff & Volunteers

Let’s hope the effort raises both funds and awareness for a service that helps so many across our borough.

Great work team—same time next week?

Goodgym helped make the second of these play street events a success for Finchley residents. Play streets are events where a residential road is closed for a few hours on a Sunday, to give neighbours a chance to play and socialise safely on the street. At this play street we had basketball, cycling, street chalks, giant Jenga and other games. Neighbours brought cakes and one of the young locals entertained everyone with some great guitar playing. The weather played its part too as it was glorious sunshine! All in all, a great time was had by all.

The play street on Windermere avenue was the first of four this summer and Goodgym helped to make this local event a success. Nearly a hundred local residents converged on the street, closed to local traffic for two hours, to play games and socialise. There were street chalks, bubbles, giant Jenga, various home-baked cakes, as well as a book swap and an amazing spot where people could plant a pot with pollinator-friendly herbs and take it home with them. Goodgymers groomed with the set-up and staffed the street barriers, as well as helping with the clear up at the end. We look forward to the next ones!