A new walking project designed to empower women based in the London Borough of Redbridge has begun.
Women from Ilford, Wanstead, Woodford and other parts of the borough are now being urged to join the initiative, which was first conceived by April Mehmet, a resident of Chadwell Heath. Entitled “Walk it Out”, the new project aims to give local women a newfound sense of strength through walking out together in numbers.
The idea for the project was triggered by Mehmet’s growing concern for the increase in domestic violence here in the UK during the country’s initial lockdown for COVID-19. She had already taken it upon herself to mentor women online, but wished to take it further. She commented to the Ilford Recorder that:
“Being a woman can sometimes be challenging, so I wanted to do something which inspires women to be the best they can and to feel good about themselves. Walking and talking comes together naturally and has physical and mental health benefits.”
On launching her new initiative, Mehmet found she was inundated with responses from women around the borough. Organisers of local initiatives can sometimes use flyer printing services to create leaflets that spread word of their campaigns throughout the community, building support.
Within only a few hours of advertising, over 200 women expressed a wish to take part in the walks in parks around Redbridge.
