Since the pandemic, younger people are finding it more and more difficult to socialise, with reports of chronic levels of loneliness in youth currently at an all-time high. That, paired with the rising living costs, it’s no wonder that Generation Z struggles with mental health issues. 

It appears some, though, are finding ways to combat these issues, whether it be through weekend running clubs or pottery painting activities as well as replacing expensive night outs for alternative cheaper, creative and more peaceful activities. 

One of these groups to embody these values is Girls Who Walk Newcastle, which was formed in 2023 and was inspired by the success rates and popularity of the original, Girls Who Walk Manchester.  

GWWN is an inclusive walking group that promotes “meeting like-minded girls aged 18-30+”. It first blew up on the social media app TikTok, encouraging more than 100 women to group together and go on walks throughout the year around Newcastle.   

Some of the walking trails have included the Quayside, Tynemouth, Ouseburn and Exhibition Park. The walks take place throughout the week and during the holidays. Notably, it’s not just strictly the “girls” that take on these walks… dogs are also welcome.

One of the organisers, 26-year-old Charlotte Boulton, said: “Everyone’s in the same boat where they find that, they’re on their own most of the time but, through these walks, we are trying to build a sense of community and get people to know others from the same area.

“When I first started on these walks, I was looking for more opportunities to meet different people. Where I work, I have nice colleagues, but they are all a bit older than me, so I thought it’d be a nice way to just meet some different people and get out of the house a little bit more. I’ve met so many nice people and have made some proper friends through it.”

Though the group started strictly as a walking group, it’s beginning to expand, making room for other social activities such as arts and crafts events, bingo nights and pottery painting, often offered at a reduced price. 

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Intrigued by what seems like such a simple, yet ingenious idea, I decided to attend one of the walks myself on their Jesmond Dene walking trail. 

Where I usually would have spent my Saturday mornings lying in bed, it was refreshing to have a reason to wake up at a decent time and put on my walking shoes as I trekked to the meeting point at Jesmond metro station for 10am. On arrival, I took a glance at the small group. There were only six of us, but it made a nice intimate setting, allowing us to talk and get to know one another easily, without it feeling too overwhelming.

My initial plan for a “free day out” was not so successful as our stroll took us first to the Jesmond market which featured numerous food stalls, and where, unfortunately, baked goods from the local Pink Lane Bakery ended up becoming my (delicious) downfall.

After grabbing our snacks and drinks, we descended into the Dene for a relaxed outing. The atmosphere throughout the day was incredibly friendly and supportive, and though some of the girls were a little shy at first, they quickly became happy to talk and open up. 

One of the characters I was introduced to was a 26-year-old who had once worked on the same university newspaper that I am currently writing for now. Another was a 20-year-old accounting student who had just visited Ibiza with her family.

I also enjoyed a conversation with a Scottish otolaryngologist (an ear doctor), which, until then, I’ll be honest, I hadn’t even heard of what an otolaryngologist was. 

Although these walks usually last about an hour or two, ours stretched to three hours as we ventured off-trail and visited Jesmond Dene’s famous Pet’s corner. We awed and cooed in unison at the goats and rabbits, and took photos together with the peacocks.

The walk ended with shared umbrellas and laughs as we hurried back to the Metro station in the pouring rain.

After my experience, I would certainly recommend GWWN to anyone, considering it a success story in helping young people tackle loneliness and an easy way to make friends. While I can’t say for sure if I met a friend for life on that walk, it felt like a positive outcome simply to meet new people, get out of the house, and even get a bit of exercise—despite my brownie indulgence.

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The girls that I met were all in different stages of life, we had been through individual experiences and had varying ways of seeing the world but at the end of the day, at that moment, we were all just girls going on a walk in Newcastle. And somehow, that was enough to bond us together and have a really nice time. 

For more information, email [email protected] or look at their Instagram page.