12:00, 13 August 2025
Words by Zane Dedlow, Videographer and Content Creator, London
Welcome to The Good Guide – your go-to source for exciting, feel-good events that make a real difference!
From beach clean-ups to community volunteering, we’ve rounded up the best ways for you to get involved, give back, and have some fun along the way.
📍Dorney Lake in Windsor
📅 16th August
🔗 https://superheroseries.co.uk/superhero-tri-2025
Powered by Marvel, the UK’s biggest sports event for people with disabilities takes place at the Superhero Tri, an inclusive triathlon where participants can run, swim, and cycle with as much or as little support as they need.
Open to all ages and abilities, the event celebrates personal achievement over competition in a fun, non-judgemental environment. Expect Paralympians, wild costumes, and a strong sense of community.
📍 2nd ➡️Limekiln Dock
10th ➡️ Poplar, Blackwall & District Rowing Club,
📅 2nd & 10th September
🔗 2nd ➡️ https://www.thames21.org.uk/event/river-litter-detectives-limekiln-dock-2/
10th ➡️ https://www.thames21.org.uk/event/totally-thames-river-litter-detectives-poplar-rowing-club/
Join Thames21’s Totally Thames River Litter Detectives project and become a citizen scientist helping to protect the River Thames. Volunteers collect and categorise litter – such as plastics and sewage-related waste – to better understand pollution levels and identify the most problematic types. Open to anyone with children from 10 needing adult supervision. This hands-on event is ideal for those keen to tackle plastic pollution and support the health of the Thames.
📍Barbican Centre, London
📅 9th and 10th September
🔗 https://www.worlddesigncongresslondon.com/
Back in London for the first time in 50 years, this year’s World Design Congress is set to be a landmark event. With the powerful theme Design for the Planet, it brings together bold ideas, global thought leaders, and innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. Join the excitement in person or tune in online – this is design with purpose, on a global stage.
📍Wandsworth, London
📅 Anytime
🔗 https://donslocalaction.org/Volunteering-Roles/
Volunteering with Dons Local Action Group (DLAG) offers a variety of ways to get involved, whether you can hours a week or just occasionally. Roles range from helping at donation tables and delivering food, to supporting administration, marketing, and events.
Joining DLAG means becoming part of a warm, community-driven team dedicated to making a real difference across south-west London.
That’s all the opportunities for this month. If you didn’t come from our socials, feel free to watch the video below to get a sneak at what to expect at some of the events:
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Thames21. This is a community-led charity dedicated to cleaning, protecting, and improving the health of London’s rivers and waterways. Find out more.
Dons Local Action Group. This is a London-based community charity providing food, furniture, and support to people in need across the south-west part of the city. Learn more here.
Comic Relief. Comic Relief is a well-known UK charity famous for organising large-scale fundraising events like Red Nose Day and Sport Relief. Support them here.
