In our modern world, loneliness and mental health struggles often go hand in hand. In 2025, the Mental Health Foundation is focusing on the theme of 'Community' for Mental Health Awareness Week, recognising the essential role connection plays in our wellbeing. In support of this theme, we're highlighting two walking groups in Lincolnshire that are making a big difference - showing the powerful impact of their groups to community and connection.

Walking groups like the Walk & Brekkie Club and Debbie’s Wednesday Walking Group offer more than just an opportunity to get outdoors; they create safe, welcoming spaces where people can move, talk, and build meaningful friendships. With a shared focus on wellbeing, these groups have become lifelines for many - supporting not only physical activity but also mental health through social connection, encouragement and support and being outdoors in nature.

The Walk & Brekkie Club

Arianne Davey set up Walk & Brekkie Club in September 2023 to support women to get outdoors, be active and make new friendships. Arianne wanted to create a community for women in their 20s and 30s, as she found there weren't a lot of options available for this age group that weren't sports or running clubs.

The group now meet every Sunday morning, go for a walk in and around Lincoln and then head for breakfast afterwards. The club has created a welcoming community which promotes wellbeing, encouraging young women to exercise, get outdoors and to talk to others in a comfortable environment with no pressures. This was something that motivated Arianne to set up the group.

"I think the walking is good for me personally, I struggle to talk in pressured environments and I think the walking can be a distraction from talking to people, because that can be uncomfortable sometimes meeting new people, but then by the end of the walk it's really lovely to sit down have a coffee and it's kind of a chance to talk to everyone in the group."

As well as the usual walks, the club organise other social activity, which has included longer hikes and Pilates. Walk & Brekkie club was recognised as a finalist in the Active Club award at the Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity Awards 2024, for their fantastic work creating a welcoming community for members, and the improvements in both physical and mental wellbeing that the group has created for participants.

"A few of them (members) have really mentioned that their mental health has massively improved... it lovely to see the change in the people that turn up regularly - they've said that they really feel they have a community and a friendship group around them so that's always lovely to hear."

Hear from Arianne in the video below:

Debbie's Wednesday Walking Group

Another finalist at the 2024 Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards was Debbie Prince, runner-up in the Unsung Hero category. Debbie has been running Debbie’s Wednesday Walking Group in Mablethorpe for nearly eight years, dedicating her time to encouraging people to get active in a welcoming, no-pressure environment.

Her free weekly walk is open to all and paced to suit the slowest walker, ensuring no one is left behind. The result is a strong sense of community that members say makes a real difference in their lives.

Debbie goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels included. Last year, she even introduced Wednesday Walking Group hats to help members easily spot their fellow walking friends -Wren the dog included, proudly sporting her own bandana.

Debbie puts a real level of effort into making sure everybody feels welcome -this year the group have Walking Wednesday Group hats to easily identify their walking friends and Wren the dog who comes along with their owner even has her own bandana. Debbie puts a lot of effort into raising awareness of her free walking group and generally sharing motivation and positivity to everyone both in person and via social media.

Debbie commented:

I've got a real passion about motivating people - I just I just love what I do! We get between 14 to 20 people every week. If people are stuck in the house not doing anything and they come out to do a bit of exercise, they're getting exercise but they're meeting people as well - it's a win-win situation.

From Sunday strolls with coffee to midweek coastal walks, these groups highlight how walking can be a simple yet powerful way to support wellbeing. Whether it’s forming friendships, boosting mental health, or just getting out in the fresh air walking together can be a meaningful step towards healthier, happier communities.

If you know somebody making a difference in their community to people's wellbeing, nominations for the 2025 Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards are now live!