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?

Two Goodgymmers spared their afternoons on a blisteringly hot day to help steward the Barnet MultiFaith Forum's annual Faith and Peace Walk.

Around 50 people from all faiths and none came together for a tour of East Barnet's religious and green spaces. Starting from Christ Church by Cockfosters tube, we toured several locations at a gentle pace along a roughly 5km route, with regular stopping points to hydrate and learn about the history of the area and about nature and biodiversity.

We finished up at Holy Trinity Church, Lyonsdown for refreshments, stalls from various community groups, growers and faith leaders, with speeches and thanks.

Four Goodgymmers helped steward a lovely community parade in North Finchley. The CommUnity Quilt project displayed patches expressing solidarity, peace and community on large sheets. The patches were sewn over hundreds of hours by members of loads of community groups across the borough, celebrating and supporting new arrivals and established friends. The quilts put out a strong message of unity: Everyone is welcome in Barnet!

We started at Swan Lane Open Space, with Goodgymmers helping to carry the quilts on poles. A friendly family crowd followed the three quilts along the High Road and down to Victoria Park on Ballards Lane. Two amazing drummers kept up the pace and energy, while the team of around 20 stewards helped keep people safe, pausing for traffic, handing out flyers along the way and waving to people out for a Sunday shop or walk.

Well done to everyone for such an amazing display, welcoming everyone to Barnet and standing together in solidarity with fellow residents!

And well done to our three first time Goodgymmers, Kate, Steve, Mark!

We've another event to steward this Thursday - can you help?