Women across Merseyside have started to run together at Sefton Park on weekends in a group created to support women and facilitate friend making opportunities.
Stephanie Barney, 22, and Caitlin Lewing, 21, are the brains behind “Girls on the Go”. The club was created this September, to allow a safe space for girls to run non competitively at a beginners’ pace. Caitlin told Mersey news Live that the pair can’t run 5K themselves and that’s why they chose to establish a running group that build the runs up from 1K.
Each week more people are joining the group with an age range varying from 18 to 50. However Stephanie and Caitlin have aspirations for the age range to grow wider as “making friends and running is hard at any age”.
Female deaths due to suicide are on the increase in the Liverpool area and with the dark nights coming in, socialising and keeping active is more important than ever.
Stephanie Barney spoke to Mersey news live about her own struggles and time in therapy, going on to say: “We know a lot of girls don’t have access to therapy (because it’s very expensive), or have a good support system.
“We really wanted to create a community of girls that can help empower each other”.
Club goers have expressed that they “are really grateful for a group that meets outside and is active” and with the majority working from home the social aspect and routine really has improved mental health conditions.
women can form deeper and more meaningful friendships
Girls on the Go also host events other than running, such as, glass painting and Pilates. They are also taking part in the Liverpool Santa dash as a group.
Girls on the go love to support charities that help women and children such as ‘refugee women connect’ and the well-known ‘children in need’.
The group is girls-only, so women can form “deeper and more meaningful friendships in a safe space and be less intimidated to turn up alone”.
Runs take place on both Saturday and Sunday morning, to ensure people working in the week can attend, and run in day light.
Where can you find more information?
Girls on the go are extremely active on social media. You can find them on Instagram @girlsonthegolpool, which has regular posts including timings of runs, new events and positive messages. You can also visit their website here.
Featured image (c) Girls on the Go
