There is something quietly powerful about walking. No pressure, no expectations, just
movement, fresh air, and the steady rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other. For
many people, that simple act can make a profound difference to how they feel.
This was the focus of a recent BBC Radio Kent interview with Revival’s Peer Support
Coordinator, Tara, who spoke with Allison Ferns on Sunday 22nd February about the
importance of walking and exercise for mental health and wellbeing. The interview
highlighted Revival’s Walking for Wellbeing group and the difference it has made to people’s
lives over the past six years. You can listen back to the interview on BBC iPlayer.
Revival’s Walking for Wellbeing group began during the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic,
when isolation, anxiety and disconnection became part of everyday life for so many. With
indoor spaces closed and routines disrupted, walking offered one of the few safe and
accessible ways for people to leave the house, reconnect with others, and take care of their
mental health. What started as a small, practical response has now become a long-standing
and valued part of Revival’s peer support programme, recently celebrating six years of
walking together.
Tara, who co-facilitates the group, has seen first-hand the difference it can make. “Walking
gives people space,” she explains. “There’s no pressure to talk, but conversation often comes
naturally. Being outdoors can help people feel calmer, and walking alongside someone
rather than sitting face to face can make it easier to open up.”
The group walks along Whitstable’s coastline and through its quieter streets and green
spaces, as well as Woodlands within the Canterbury District, offering both familiarity and a
sense of openness. The environment itself plays an important role. The sound of the sea, the
rhythm of walking, and the presence of others can help regulate stress and anxiety in ways
that feel natural and manageable.
But the walks are about more than exercise. They are about connection. Many people who
attend have experienced loneliness, loss of confidence, or periods of poor mental health.
Walking together helps rebuild routine and provides a gentle structure to the week. Over
time, people begin to form relationships, recognise familiar faces, and feel part of something
again.
Participants often describe feeling lighter after a walk – mentally as well as physically. The
act of moving, breathing fresh air, and being in the company of others can help interrupt
cycles of negative thinking and bring a sense of perspective. For some, it becomes a regular
anchor and something to look forward to.
Tara spoke on BBC Radio Kent about how simple and accessible walking can be as a tool for
wellbeing. It does not require special equipment or experience, just a willingness to take
that first step. The group reflects Revival’s wider ethos: creating spaces where people feel
welcome, included and supported, without pressure or expectation.
Six years on, the Walking for Wellbeing group continues to offer exactly that – a safe,
supportive space where people can walk alongside each other, share conversation or silence,
and reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them.
To hear Tara speak about the group and the benefits of walking for wellbeing, you can listen
to her interview with Allison Ferns on BBC Radio Kent via BBC iPlayer.
