Women’s Walking Group show that LLR Girls Can!

Hear from Demelza Hall, Walk Leader for the Women's Wellbeing Group and also a Let's Get Moving Champion:

"We set up the Women's Walking Group Leicester/shire in January of this year. Every Monday night at 6.30pm since, we have walked in different locations. We have been many places including Bradgate Park, Thornton Reservoir, Croft Hill, and themed walks such as a history walk and an art trail walk in the city centre.

We were the first ever walking group to be given permission to walk Martinshaw Wood at night and have since donated as a group to have a tree planted there in our name.

Around 30 people have joined over the last few months and we have had so much fun exploring places and feeling safe as a group especially whilst in the dark of winter. Using torches and taking hot drinks (kindly funded through LLR Girls Can) has made the walks adventurous and comfortable even in very cold weather. Women have said how lovely and safe it's felt exploring places in the dark, something very few would do on their own.

Now it's light in the evenings, we are expecting even more women to join. So far we have enjoyed the outdoor gym and Japanese garden at Abbey Park and the bluebells in The Outwoods. We have a full timetable of exciting walks right through to next winter. We can't provide transport but we do encourage car sharing and cycling to the walks where possible and will post where to meet and where you can park your car or bike.

Women who have joined us have said;

"I love the Monday women's walking group because it's more than just exercise it's a supportive community where we share stories, laughter and encouragement while exploring the outdoors together - it's become a highlight of my week."

"I enjoy the group. It gives me something positive and adventurous to start the week with and it's great to have a regular activity in the calendar that I know I'll stick to!"

"As well as walking; we chat, we play, we learn, we bring a flask, and it's very low cost / free too."

We've opened the walks up to vulnerable women, and we are open to all women, non binary people and marginalised genders and groups. We ensure one walk a month is accessible - tarmac paths or pavements only and no more than a mile and a half. We never do more than four miles and will support those with specific needs.

We also encourage those wanting to take more of a lead too, whether it be navigating a walk or wanting to become a walk leader, we can help facilitate that and arrange training.

If anyone would like to know more, they can find more information on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556404793010