News: Wanderful Women - Connecting One Step at a Time

A walking group in Aberdeen promoting wellbeing and friendship amongst women enjoyed their first walk of the year.

Jodie McGovern, organiser, was at home one Sunday night when she discovered ‘Girls Who Walk’ (GWW), a non-profit social group connecting women across the world.

As there was no established group in Aberdeen, the primary school teacher decided to create an Instagram page for the area.

“It seemed a great way to make friends in the city, so I just went and did it!”

The following morning, McGovern’s phone was buzzing nonstop – followers had grown rapidly over a few days from 30 to 300.

Today, 11 members attended the first meet up, starting at 9.30am outside The Park Café and stepping off around Duthie Park for a few hours.

The rain held off as the group wandered in the wind getting to know each other, and their furry friends, as dogs were welcomed!

Speaking about the social group’s first meeting, Anna Shanks, paediatric nurse, said:

“I really enjoyed the walk, everyone had a really nice energy, and it was nice to have something casual and lowkey to meet new people”.

GWW is open to all women over the age of 18 and has a diverse range of supporters, including authors, students, and social media managers.

15 committee members are actively involved in the club, sustaining roles such as GWW ambassadors and event coordinators.

Social media content creator for the Aberdeen page, Katie-Lou, said:

“We are reaching people in Aberdeen and everyone in the Shire, which is just amazing, so we are connecting with everyone that we want to connect with.”

There are multiple GWW groups across the UK, including Dundee, Edinburgh, and Inverness.

Each club provides an opportunity to explore local surroundings and improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing. It also offers women a space to feel safe while they enjoy nature in darker hours.

Founder Jodie added that she is overjoyed at the amount of:

“Lovely, positive messages the group has received, and hopes that the community will continue to grow”.

GWW Aberdeen are aiming to host bigger events in future, such as hikes, yoga classes, or wine and cheese nights – an accessible alternative for those who may struggle on longer walks.

Further information can be found on the @GirlsWhoWalkAberdeen Instagram page.

© [Skye McCord] [2024]. All rights reserved.