As the chills of winter take hold, a resilient group of women are making their mark on the streets of Lincoln in a bid to bolster their mental health. The ‘Girls That Hike’ initiative, led by 23-year-old Ella Jack, has been offering the women of Lincolnshire the opportunity to connect, stimulate fitness and fortify mental health through scheduled power-walking sessions. Since its inception in February, the group has seen substantial growth, offering weekly city walks and monthly trips to the Peak District. Ella, a Lincoln local, sparked this initiative after grappling with her own mental health issues, and it has deservedly bagged the People’s Choice Award at the Active Lincolnshire Awards.
24-year-old Georgia Stow, also from Lincoln, voices the group as the impetus in getting her out of her house following an ADHD diagnosis and struggles with seasonal depression. These walks have transformed into a social lifeline for diverse individuals, from new mothers to recent area newcomers. In August, the group achieved a hike from Navenby to Lincoln Cathedral, raising a commendable £4,000 for ‘Taking Action on Addiction’, a charity organisation.
North Hykeham based health mentor, Annie-Mae Haines, joined in the walks to forge new connections and relish in the secured atmosphere fostered by group walks. Concurrently, Lincoln accountant Amelia Start values the group as a space immune to judgement that invites open discussions around mental health.
Another Lincoln inhabitant, Rebecca Walker, has discovered companionship and support via the group, even shifting friendships from the walks to other activities in their social calendar. She stresses the significance of disrupting home routines to foster engagement within the community.
The ‘Girls That Hike’ initiative continues to radiate support and unity for women across Lincolnshire, demonstrating the substantial benefits of community engagement and physical exercise in promoting mental health.
Credit: This article has been abridged and reworked from original reporting on www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.
