5 keen Goodgym runners joined Area Activator Simon at the Arsenal Community Hub last night, to enjoy a group run up to the lovelySunnyside Community Gardens near Elthorne Park. Upon our arrival, we caught up with Eslam and the rest of our team, enjoying a warm Summer's evening in a pretty green space.

Shovels, forks, wheelbarrows and hose pipes were gathered up in advance, ready for a big Goodgym task! Our objective for the evening was to move the entire contents of a large compost bay, and then sieve through the soil to remove large twigs, branches or forgotten coffee sacks. The twigs were moved to a secondary compost bay, to allow them to break down over time.

As we rotated the soil, Michelle helped with spraying down the compost with water, to help with mixing the materials together (the soil has become very dry, and we needed to use forks to break it up). It took about 40 minutes for our team to remove the compost, but only 10 minutes to shovel it back into place- well done everyone l!

As as a Thank You for our hard work, Eslam invited us to the Sunnyside Community Gardens allotments and greenhouses, across the road from our work space. A hidden treasure trove of fresh vegetables, and community grown produce! We were even allowed to bring a few pots of callaloo back home with us!

Thanks again for a great evening.

Next week we will be at Elizabeth House Food Hub (meeting at 7pm)- more details below!

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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SESSIONS IN AUGUST

Community Mission - Elizabeth House Food Hub 7.15pm, Monday 11th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-elizabeth-house-food-hub-7pm-start-at-task-location

Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 18th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-highbury-quadrant-green-space-garden-maintenance-71bbddc2-a560-4e69-aa68-66ebe431ac05

Bank Holiday Special Group Run- Parkland Walk Plogging with Camino Ultra and Trash Free Trails 6.15pm, The Woodman Pub, Highgate Monday 25th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/bank-holiday-plogging-parkland-walk-finsbury-park-with-trash-free-trails

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Post Group Run Social August- Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park

Monday 25th August, 8.15pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park

Area Activator Simon began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 6 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield). We invite you for good food, excellent refreshments and fun times!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-session-social-area-activator-simon-celebrates-5-years-27ad5928-1bf0-4295-b203-32538e5bed31

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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!

Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 7th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-eec7206a-2c2f-4260-89a4-7a643a59f3f6

Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 14th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-81c756cb-f880-4d4c-bc9d-273db6793f21

Hyde Park Lancaster Gate Thursday 21st August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-81c756cb-f880-4d4c-bc9d-273db6793f21

Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 28th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-f1e7bda3-ccf3-4506-96bc-b1d6c90cdf61

Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 4th September

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-0564ad66-99ad-4f45-aa08-2e42959ff2ad

Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 11th September

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-cb3577ca-7ca3-4561-8ad9-6b0fec2aefd1

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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!

Tuesday 5th 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!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-49567027-9006-425d-81a7-a74b928156e5

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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session

Saturday 9th August, 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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august

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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day

Saturday 16th August, 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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/golden-olden-community-gardens-monthly-volunteer-open-day-1e8a6ac9-aaa3-4ae8-bf27-1ffd556a6a98

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Penn Road Gardens - August Volunteer Day

Sunday 31st August, 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-august-de813053-fd30-4336-abe6-9266377ac4da

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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!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camino-ultra-epping-forest-50km-and-25km-eco-trail-aid-station-superstars-2025

The workshop with Achilles International was a powerful and eye-opening experience (literally!). We were blindfolded to simulate what it’s like to run without sight, which really helped us understand the level of trust and communication needed between a guide and a visually impaired runner.

We then took turns guiding and being guided during short runs, learning the ropes—quite literally! The team also walked us through different types of visual impairments and how to tailor our support depending on the individual's needs.

It was informative, inspiring, and left all of us with a deeper appreciation for accessible running and the strength of the Achilles community. Huge thanks to the organisers and participants!