Cottingham, 9 January 2024 – From later this month, local athletics club and charity, Fitmums & Friends will be holding its Together in Grief (TiG) walks every week in Hull. TiG walks are easy-paced, group walking sessions for anyone who has lost a loved one. They offer some gentle exercise and the chance to talk with others who are also experiencing bereavement.

Responding to the demand for its previous Together in Grief (TiG) walk programmes, Fitmums & Friends will soon be holding its group bereavement walks every week. Starting Wednesday 24 January, the walks will take place at 09.30am every Wednesday from the Art Gallery in the Brynmor Jones Library building at the University of Hull.

TiG walks are open to any adult who has been bereaved and who feels that they would benefit from a walk and talk with others who are also grieving. People are invited to come along whenever they want or need to – every week or just occasionally.

TiG walks are free to participants, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and support from the University of Hull.

The walks are safe, supportive and suitable for all abilities. Darren, one of the trained leaders who host the walks, explains more: “We want to make sure that everyone feels welcome and comfortable during the session. We tailor the walk to the group, so there is no need to worry about levels of fitness. We make sure that the group stays together and that no one is left behind or on their own. And the focus is on ‘walk and talk’ rather than a workout – in fact, every session will end with a cuppa and a chat in one of the cafés on campus.”

Sam Barlow BEM, chief officer and founder of Fitmums & Friends, explains how people can benefit from the walks:

“We know that being active can support mental health, and can be a particular help at times of bereavement. Walking in the fresh air provides many physical health benefits and it can lift the spirits. Many bereaved people also find support in being with others in a similar position – knowing that you are not the only one experiencing particular thoughts and feelings can be an incredible help. The aim of TiG is to help participants feel those mental and physical health benefits. We hope that the walks will be a positive, healing experience for both body and mind.”

Dr Gill Hughes, Senior Lecturer at the University of Hull explains why the University is keen to support the walks:

“The University has been working with Fitmums & Friends as part of the successful Together in Grief – The Forest Project, funded by The Ideas Fund*, to support children who have been bereaved. When Fitmums & Friends approached Fay Treloar, Director of Business Engagement and Enterprise, and myself to develop a partnership with the University for the Together in Grief walks, we could see how valuable this idea would be to people’s mental health and wellbeing. The University supports welcoming people on to campus, and the Beyond Events team has organised the gallery as a meeting place, which will provide an inspiring place to start the walks. This project offers adults the opportunity to come together to build supportive networks which will help in the difficult times that follow bereavement, when people often don’t know what to say or do to help; meeting others in similar situations will generate a sense of empathy and connection.”

For more information about Fitmums & Friends’ Together in Grief walks, please visit our website or follow our socials: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

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