Joining a walking group is a really simple way to combat loneliness, make new friends and take time to unwind. However, for some people, being able to leave their homes, go for a walk and socialise is not so simple. So, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week we accompanied an amazing walking project we fund that supports women in Stepney.
There can be lots of barriers that prevent people from leaving their home which exacerbates loneliness, anxiety and depression. Nurun Baksh is an experienced counsellor and project manager working for Ocean Regeneration Trust, a local community charity dedicated to supporting residents living on the Ocean Estate in Stepney.
Nurun leads the weekly walking group. “We do a lot of outreach work to publicise the walks. But also, as we walk, people see us and this spreads the word. For some of the older women we’re supporting, language can be a barrier to getting out of the house and enjoying public space. Women tend to come back week after week. As we walk, they relax and feel comfortable enough to talk about themselves and their lives. As well as seeing women build their confidence and English language skills, I’ve been able to help women secure benefits they’re entitled to and get on training programmes”.
Fear of violence on the streets is also a particular concern. Research shows that Muslim women are the main targets of Islamophobic attacks, particularly if they wear a headscarf. Attacks can range from taunting, to ripping off hijabs to all-out physical attacks. This means that for a lot of Muslim women, walking in the street is something they have to plan very carefully or may avoid altogether.
So, Ocean Regeneration’s walking group creates a safe space for women to walk regularly, get to know their local area and feel more confident in public spaces.
Rohima joined the Ocean walkers programme six months ago. “Before this I didn’t have many friends even though I lived in an area with loads of local women like me. Going out used to be scary for me. Walking around in East London was not even an option because I feared being attacked and felt very unsafe. I didn’t even know my way around the area until I joined the programme. Walking in a group has really helped my confidence – now I feel safe to walk the streets and I am comfortable with all different routes to places. Before I didn’t know how to get around, now I can help give other people directions! Knowing my way round the local area and being able to meet up with friends to socialise on walks feels like a huge achievement for me.”
Rohima had a health scare which motivated her to join the group. ‘Taking part in these walks every week, I’ve gained my health back and feel much better both physically and mentally. I sleep better and I’ve lost weight – my friends don’t recognise me now! I’m more active than ever. I’m often walking six days a week for an hour with my friends I’ve made through the programme. I am consistently hitting 25,000 steps a day which makes me really proud!”
For Razia Begum, the walking project gives her a huge amount of happiness. “I love walking. I walk every day if I can. I am very busy working in the house. So sometimes I can’t go on a long walk. I might just walk to this City Farm [we pass the farm]. I love walking around the farm! I love the goats! When I get only a short time, when I’m very busy, then I just walk around, at the back of my house. Since joining the walking group I’ve made lots of new friends. I now have one particular friend and after the weekly walk with Ocean, we will go and sit and have a chat. Sometimes we will go walking together. But we get scared, just the two of us, so we much prefer to walk with the big group.”
Razia has also started Ocean’s cycling programme. ‘I’ve been doing it for two weeks now. I already regularly go cycling in the Victoria Park. There is a big session organised by the Council. I like the fact that it is a big group. And there is different kind of cycling. Three-wheel and two-wheel bicycles. I’ve been going to this group for a few years.”
“I love walking and cycling. It refreshes my mind. It is active, good exercise and good for my health. Since my childhood, I’ve always loved doing sports and being adventurous. As a child I competed in tournaments for running and cycling. So now, walking and cycling, being active, it connects me to that time as a child. It makes me happy.”
Projects like Ocean Regeneration’s walking group may appear simple but the support they provide is incredibly important and far-reaching, transforming the lives of women living in Stepney. This is just one of the many projects we fund that are bringing lasting change to London’s East End.
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