WHAT WE DO

Walkie Active is a social enterprise that delivers intergenerational community walks and wellbeing activities for people aged 18+ in East London, addressing loneliness/isolation/fitness and mental health challenges. We are working-class, Black led and started because of our lived-experience of struggling with isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, we’ve completed eight walking programmes and have worked with over 70 people.

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Walkie Active started as a user and volunteer-led community group in 2020. We have an active user group of over 50 members. Twelve participants have gone on to be ‘Walkie Buddies’, a volunteer befriending support role for less able/confident participants.

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Walkie Active will be launching our first and new project, “Age Is Just a Number”, will see 30 people (15 young people and 15 over-50s) participate in an intergenerational programme for residents affected by loneliness and health issues across Barking and Dagenham. Over 28 weeks, in weekly 2.5-hour sessions, participants will build friendships, share life stories, and learn from one another while improving their overall health and fitness, in partnership with Box Up Crime. Sessions are split into two parts: P1: group walks in the surrounding parks/outdoors. P2: will be a mix of mindfulness sessions, including motivational talks/accountable fitness plans/meditation. Participants will be given disposable cameras and encouraged to capture ‘special moments and notable things’ throughout the project.