The Good Guide: October 2025

The Good Guide - October Edition

Welcome to The Good Guide - your go-to source for exciting, feel-good events that make a real difference!

From charity runs to creative festivals, we’ve rounded up the best ways for you to get involved, give back, and have some fun this October.

Fun Palaces

📍 Nationwide
📅 5th–6th October
🔗 https://funpalaces.co.uk/

A weekend of community-led creativity where everyone is welcome. From arts and science workshops to performances and pop-ups, Fun Palaces celebrate culture, curiosity, and collaboration – all for free.

Royal Parks Half Marathon

📍 London (Hyde Park & beyond)
📅 13th October
🔗 https://royalparkshalf.com/

Run, fundraise, or simply cheer on thousands of runners as they take on this stunning half marathon through London’s Royal Parks. The event raises millions for UK charities each year – a perfect blend of fitness, nature, and purpose.

ActionAid: Women by Women

📍 Oxo Tower Wharf, London
📅 4th–27th October
🔗 https://actionaid.org.uk/women-by-women

This inspiring exhibition showcases the lives of women and girls around the world through the eyes of female photographers. Hosted at the Oxo Tower, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of women telling their own stories.

Leeds International Festival of Ideas

📍 Leeds
📅 2nd–5th October
🔗 https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/

Big thinkers, bold ideas, and lively discussions. The Leeds International Festival of Ideas brings together speakers, artists, and innovators to explore the questions shaping our future - from culture and climate to society and technology.

Whether you’re lacing up your trainers, diving into local creativity, celebrating women’s voices, or sparking new conversations, October is full of opportunities to get inspired and make a difference.

Volunteering Opportunities – October

Looking for ways to give back this month? From foodbanks to river cleanups, here are some brilliant opportunities to get involved across the UK.

📍 London & Greater London

• Thames21 – Regular riverbank and foreshore cleanups.
  🔗 thames21.org.uk
• ZSL – Citizen science projects on London’s rivers (pollution mapping, Riverfly monitoring).
  🔗 zsl.org
• Camley Street Natural Park – Hands-on conservation every Thursday in King’s Cross.
  🔗 londonwt.teamkinetic.co.uk
• London City Hall / Grand Union Canal – Volunteering cleanups along canals and waterways.
  🔗 https://www.london.gov.uk
• Don’s Local Action Group – Foodbanks, deliveries, and community support hubs.
  🔗 https://donslocalaction.org/volunteer/
• Crisis Skylight London – Support people experiencing homelessness.
  🔗 https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/
• The Felix Project – Help deliver surplus food to charities across London.
  🔗 https://thefelixproject.org/help-us/volunteer-london
• Trussell Trust Foodbanks – Volunteer in foodbank centres across Greater London.
  🔗 https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/volunteer
• Shelter London – Volunteer in shops, fundraising events, or campaigning.
  🔗 https://england.shelter.org.uk/support_us/volunteer

📍 Birmingham / Midlands

• Friends of the Cole Valley – Local litter picking and river cleanups.
  🔗 cleanupuk.org.uk
• Moseley Litterbusters – Weekly community litter picks with equipment provided.
  🔗 bosf.org.uk
• TCV Midlands – Conservation, gardens, and habitat work.
  🔗 tcv.org.uk
• Birmingham Parks / Friends Groups – Park maintenance and habitat volunteering.
  🔗 https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20089/parks/330/volunteering_and_work_experience_in_parks/4
• Birmingham Settlement – Green space and environmental projects.
  🔗 birminghamsettlement.org.uk

📍 Leeds / Yorkshire

• Aire Rivers Trust – Riverbank conservation and citizen science.
  🔗 https://aireriverstrust.org.uk/river-monitoring/
• Planet Patrol – Paddleboard cleanup in Leeds (18 Oct).
  🔗 planetpatrol.co
• Leeds Foodbanks – Trussell Trust centres supporting local families.
  🔗 https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/volunteer
• Hollybush TCV – Community food growing and conservation hub.
  🔗 tcv.org.uk/hollybush
• St George’s Crypt – Supporting homelessness services in Leeds.
  🔗 stgeorgescrypt.org.uk

📍 Edinburgh / Scotland

• Water of Leith Conservation Trust – Weekly cleanups and walkway maintenance.
  🔗 waterofleith.org.uk
• Edinburgh Food Project – Volunteer with Trussell Trust foodbanks.
  🔗 edinburghfoodproject.org
• Social Bite – Café volunteering tackling homelessness.
  🔗 https://www.social-bite.co.uk/get-involved/volunteering/
• Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home – Support animal care and rehoming.
  🔗 https://edch.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/volunteer-vacancies/
• TCV Scotland – Green space volunteering across the city.
  🔗 tcv.org.uk/scotland

📍 Cardiff / South Wales

• Cardiff Rivers Group – River, stream, and pond cleanups.
  🔗 cardiffriversgroup.co.uk
• FareShare Cymru – Help redistribute surplus food.
  🔗 fareshare.cymru
• Llamau – Support young homeless people and women at risk.
  🔗 llamau.org.uk
• Keep Wales Tidy – Litter picks and environmental volunteering.
  🔗 https://keepwalestidy.cymru/get-involved/volunteering/
• Cardiff Foodbanks (Trussell Trust) – Help pack and distribute food parcels.
  🔗 https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/volunteer

📍 Coastal & National

• Marine Conservation Society – Join the Great British Beach Clean and year-round events.
  🔗 mcsuk.org
• Surfers Against Sewage – Million Mile Clean across coasts, rivers, and streets.
  🔗 https://www.sas.org.uk/plastic-pollution/million-mile-clean/
• The Rivers Trust – Local river cleanups and conservation projects nationwide.
  🔗 https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/volunteer-opportunities
• Canal & River Trust – Help maintain locks, paths, and waterways.
  🔗 canalrivertrust.org.uk
• Planet Patrol – Litter picks and eco-events across the UK.
  🔗 https://planetpatrol.co/clean-ups/

This article aligns with the SDG Gender Equality, Good Health and Partnerships For The Goals.