Finding Community, Purpose, and Healing Through GoodGym
Amro shares his heritage, faith, culture and hummus
September 02, 2025
Amro, a GoodGymer from Brighton was approached by local paper - The Whistler Westhill - to contribute as a writer. He shares his Palestinian heritage, a desire for community connection since moving to the UK, and GoodGym as a lifeline.
When I moved to Brighton in 2014, I arrived with a deep desire to belong, to contribute, and to share my story—my heritage, my faith, my culture, and even my hummus. I was born in Syria, raised in Jordan, and like many others, I’m a proud Palestinian. My roots have always shaped how I see the world and how I want to engage with it.
One of my strongest childhood memories is a story my grandmother used to tell about life in Tiberius, Palestine. There, neighbours would pass around a plate of food from home to home, each person returning it filled with something different, until no one could remember who started it. It was a beautiful symbol of community, generosity, and connection. Similarly, I remember going to Friday Jumma prayers with my father, where the Imam often spoke about volunteering - not just as a good deed but as a form of charity (Sadaqah and Tzedakah in Judaism), a way to draw closer to God, and to uplift those around you. Islam places great emphasis on neighbourly love, to the point where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said a neighbour could be as close as family, even an heir. He taught us that a “neighbour” is not just the one next door but includes all those up to seven doors away - effectively a whole neighbourhood.
But despite these values, it wasn’t until 2017 - three years after moving to Brighton - that I truly found a space where I could live them out. That year, I discovered GoodGym, a UK-based organisation that combines physical activity with volunteering. Whether through running, walking, or cycling, members help out their communities and support isolated older individuals with practical tasks like gardening, cleaning, or companionship.
Joining GoodGym changed everything. I quickly felt integrated into my neighbourhood of Seven Dials and beyond. Since then, I’ve taken part in over 100 missions and group runs. What began as an effort to give my time and energy soon became a source of connection, healing, and joy. I’ve gained friends, travel buddies, and trail running partners - and, most importantly, I found a deep sense of belonging.
However, things took a difficult turn in October 2023. The devastating events unfolding in Gaza and across the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region, along with the genocide in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, weighed heavily on me. I fell into a deep depression. To make matters worse, I lost my job in January after speaking out against what I felt was bullying and harassment. It was a dark time - but even in that darkness, GoodGym remained a light. Almost every week, I received messages from fellow GoodGym members checking in, encouraging me to return, or simply offering to go for a walk and talk.
When I eventually returned to GoodGym, I was fortunate to be involved in a series of uplifting and purposeful projects, such as:
- Freeing Palmeira Square – Helping Friends of Palmeira and Adelaide clear over 50 bags of rubbish to restore a beloved green space.
- Community as a Superpower! – Supporting Refugee Week 2025, where we guided children through creative flag-making while discussing the origins and journeys of refugees.
- Cooking at One Church Brighton – Preparing meals for those experiencing homelessness, all while reflecting on my own people facing starvation in Gaza.
- Rainbows, Running, and Really Good Hummus – Assisting the Brighton & Hove Frontrunners with clean-up efforts after the 5K Rainbow Run ahead of Pride weekend.
- Making Brighton Community Kitchen Grate Again – Helping deep clean the kitchen so it could reopen for cooking classes that bring people together.
Each of these activities reminded me of the power of service, the strength of community, and the joy of shared purpose.
GoodGym isn’t just a running club - it’s a lifeline. It’s a space where community spirit thrives, where differences are embraced, and where people support each other not just with actions, but with presence, empathy, and kindness.
If you're reading this and wondering how to get involved, now is the perfect time. Our next session will support the Brighton Sanctuary Runners, who are launching a powerful initiative for Palestine. Together, we’ll run a relay covering 40km - the length of Gaza - with each participant covering 3–5km depending on turnout. It’s a small gesture, but a meaningful one.
Come run with us. Help with us and give back to your community.
Credit to Amro Tabari and The Whistler Westhill