Helping councils achieve their wellbeing and social connection goals
Improving wellbeing and social connection
Engaging women 50+ who may be isolated, inactive, or going through life transitions, offering a safe and supportive way to get active in nature
Activating under-utilised green spaces
No/low-cost, low-impact walking programs encourage regular, ongoing community use of local outdoor spaces
Delivering a proven, low risk, sustainable program model
Aligns with many council priorities (healthy ageing, inclusion, prevention), with support provided to local clubs to implement and sustain the program long-term
In partnership with:
Helping councils achieve their goals
“Side-by-Side Nature Walks aligns strongly with our priorities around healthy ageing, social connection and preventative health. It’s a low-cost, high-impact model that is easy to support and scale within the community.”
Julia McCusker - City of Greater Geelong
The value of walks just for women
Women can experience certain barriers to walking in nature.
Low body confidence (e.g. worried about not being able to walk the distance), fear of the unknown, fear of judgment and concerns around physical safety.
Many women report that these types of barriers stop them from joining mixed-gender groups and that they can feel more comfortable participating in women-only opportunities until their confidence grows.
Short and slow paced really matters
For many women, the barrier isn’t walking - it’s the pressure around it. Long distances and faster paces can feel daunting, especially when you’re worried about keeping up. Short, slow walks remove that pressure, with a gentle pace and a small time commitment that makes it easier to say yes.
It also reduces the mental load - less planning, less overthinking, just showing up. When something feels manageable and welcoming, people come. And once they come, they connect with others, and their confidence grows.
Who are our participants?
Women over 50 who:
Have just moved to the area and are looking for an opportunity to get to know new people, or explore the local area
Are new to retirement or semi-retirement and now have more spare time
Are feeling isolated, and are seeking connection
Are not sporty, but do want to get active
Recently diagnosed with a health issue and/or their doctor has recommended getting active
The Ripple Effect
Women come to walk, they make new friends, their new friends tell them about the local crafting group, the school volunteering opportunity, the local arts show, the local wine and dine group, the local pickleball group and more. Participants then increase their web of connection across the community, finding their space in the world, and still coming to walks.
Grandmas and Nannas in the group discover great new walks and places to bring their grandkids when they visit, further activating local outdoor areas.
What Side by Side walk participants are saying:
“I feel as if I’ve found what I was looking for, even though I wasn’t sure what that was. Physical exercise, conversation and belief that I’m not alone in finding the transition from full time work challenging.”
“I walk my dog daily but some of these walks head into secluded places and having this group makes all the women safe”
“The idea that nobody was left behind signified that there was a caring element interwoven into the group’s philosophy and this pointed to a higher purpose than just walking.”
“I like how they’re not too far away or take too much time out of the day, but provide an opportunity to walk and chat in lovely surroundings. Richelle is a careful and responsible organiser who thinks of everything to ensure everyone’s safety.”