The women walking to empowerment and friendship

17 hours ago

Rachael Lewisin Solihull

Most of the walkers arrived as strangers and said they have now become friends.

BBC A group of around 100 women smiling into the camera wearing pink high-vis jackets and all looking into the camera. They stand in front of red brick pillars which are either side of gates. — Most of the walkers arrived as strangers and said they have now become friends.

On dark, cold nights this winter, more than a hundred women have been turning up at a town park to chat, enjoy nature - and go for a walk.

"Women just want to come out and be walking in the park which they wouldn't normally do, which is then very empowering," said Vicky Evans, co-founder of Solihull Women's Stride Squad.

She and Keeley Skelding got the idea for the group when they went to a men's walking group in the West Midlands and realised there was no equivalent for women.

"We got together and decided we were going to launch a group and, our first walk, we had over 100 women turn up," Skelding said, after starting it in May.

Nine month later and hundreds of women from across the region have been on the free, weekly walks around Brueton Park - and they go no matter the weather.

Everyone who turns up gets a pink, high-vis vest, torches and buddies with walkie-talkies, so nobody gets left behind.

Keeley Skelding and Vicky Evans co-founded Solihull Women's Stride Squad in May

Two women smiling into a camera. They have both got pink high-vis jackets on and coats. They have got pink lanyards on and are smiling. One has blonde hair and one has brown hair. — Keeley Skelding and Vicky Evans co-founded Solihull Women's Stride Squad in May

The co-founders wanted to support women and give them the chance to enjoy nature and outdoor spaces

"We can help so many people, we can be here and people who are in need, or have difficult backgrounds, people feeling isolated, its such a lovely feeling to be able to provide a safe space for them." Skelding said.

Many of the walkers arrive as strangers and said they have gone on to become friends.

Maz Sadiq and Dee Chauhan volunteer each week, helping with the organising and keeping everyone safe on the walks.

Sadiq said: "Honestly before I left the house I was struggling to put my foot outside the door,

"Now I have so much energy, if you said 'run 5k?' I could. That's how it makes you feel, really energetic."

For Chauhan, it is about the community they create: "If anyone is wavering I would say get your foot out of the door, grab your jacket.

"Come out and meet us all, we're all welcoming and you will never be alone."

Maz Sadiq and Dee Chauhan both volunteer every week, helping organise the walks.

Two women looking into the camera and smiling wearing high-vis pink jackets. The one on the left smiles, showing her teeth and has long dark hair, tucked behind her ears. The other has dark rimmed glasses on and smiles but with her lips closed. — Maz Sadiq and Dee Chauhan both volunteer every week, helping organise the walks.

They have even attracted local political interest, with the leader of Solihull Council, Karen Grinsell, often known to join a walk.

"Everybody is chattering away, sharing experiencing, talking about their work, home life. Anything and everything we talk about as we walk around," she told me.

"You meet new people, people you're never likely to come across, in any other space, and in just a really safe space in our local park, and just bringing the park to life."

Both co-founders said they found the experience rewarding and were amazed at the group's success, as their social media page has more than 2,000 members, posting information about upcoming walks.

"We are seeing people come who are quiet, withdrawn and then they are forming friendships and going out to do their own thing, " Skelding said..

"It's so lovely to see those relationships growing."

"Women just want to come out and be walking in the park which they wouldn't normally do, which is then very empowering," Evans added.

"People don't want to do this independently or on their own, or even with two women, its safety in numbers"

Solihull Women's Stride Squad meets every Wednesday evening.

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