Walk ‘N’ Talk Wednesdays – Growing Community Support Across the South West

Walk ‘N’ Talk Wednesdays – Growing Community Support Across the South West

by Jeff Tucker, Best Mates

Best Mates – We Got Ya continues to expand its Walk ‘N’ Talk Wednesdays programme, providing simple, consistent spaces for people to come together, walk, talk, and feel supported.

What started as a single walk has now grown into a network of six active groups, with five across the South West, now running weekly in:

• Swindon – Coate Water (Flagship)
• Swindon – Lydiard House
• Melksham
• Yate
• Cheltenham
• Folkestone

Each Walk ‘N’ Talk offers a safe and welcoming environment where anyone (Adults) can turn up, enjoy a walk, and have a conversation. There’s no pressure and no expectation, just a chance to connect with others who understand that life can be challenging at times.

While the concept is simple, the impact is significant. These walks are often the first step for people who may be feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn. Through regular attendance, many begin to open up, build friendships, and take positive steps forward.

Where additional support is needed, Best Mates helps guide individuals towards counselling, therapy, and other specialist services.

As the programme continues to grow, the focus now is on reaching more people who could benefit from these walks.

We are asking local businesses, organisations, and individuals to help us spread the word, whether that’s sharing information, directing someone who may need support, or helping us raise awareness within the community.

To sustain and expand the programme, we are also actively seeking local sponsorship. Funding allows us to continue supporting individuals beyond the walk itself, ensuring that when someone needs more than just a conversation, we can help provide it.

In addition, Best Mates is always looking to recruit more “Mates” volunteers with lived experience who feel ready to support others by offering guidance, understanding, and a listening ear. Being a Mate is about connection, not qualifications, it’s about showing someone they’re not alone.

Walk ‘N’ Talk Wednesdays are proving that sometimes the simplest ideas can have the greatest impact. One walk, one conversation, one community at a time.

For more information, to get involved, or to support the programme, visit:
www.bestmates.org or drop  an email.