Although I live in Canada, I am spending more and more time in London, England with my kids and first grandchild. They live in Southwest London, and this year I sought out something called a “Walk and Talk” in Wimbledon Park. I loved the simple experience so much that I’d like you to know about it too.
The Walk and Talk Movement in London
One of the first people I got to know on my Walk and Talk was lovely Fiona who has been going to this Walk and Talk for years. I asked her if she would come on my podcast to say why she likes it and what it is. Fiona demurred, and suggested I speak with the founders of the Walk and Talk movement in London.
Fiona set up my connection with Alison Palmer. Alison does many things, including starting and running peer led book clubs in schools. The older kids get trained in presentation skills, the younger kids get books to read, and it is a really good way to get books into a social setting. I could see that Alison is an expert in social connection and action. I could see the transferable skills to starting a Walk and Talk.
So on my podcast, Your Outside Mindset, I interviewed Alison Palmer, about starting the Walk and Talk movement in Wimbledon Park, which has since expanded to multiple locations and attracted thousands of participants.
As a Complete Outsider, My First Walk and Talk
First, let me give you my observations as a complete outsider who was just looking for an adult friend in London. I really am there to spend as much time as possible with my family but just needed something for me alone for a few hours.
I looked on the website and found where the meeting place was (off to the side of the café) and the simple instruction to look for some people in green T-shirts. There was no registration required at all – just a set time of 10:30 every Saturday, rain or shine. This fit my need for a few hours away from family, but not too long. I felt kind of awkward going alone but did it anyway.
I Just Showed Up
I showed up on time and immediately saw a group of about 15 people with varying degrees of mobility. Each one greeted me with a smile. I felt at ease. With lots of laughter we ambled off on our way around the park, chatting as we moved. People moved at their own pace. There was no rush. It was delightful. Here I was connecting with kind and happy-to-be-outside and moving individuals with no agenda but to walk and talk. Refreshed is how I felt.
And at the end of the hour or so I was invited to tea at the park’s bowling club. Another lovely surprise.
The Beauty of the Walk and Talk Model
As Alison said in our conversation, the beauty of the Walk and Talk is that it is community led by volunteers, all the information is online and free, along with instructions to set up your own Walk and Talk wherever you are. Basically, it is just “getting a group of friends together to walk and giving it a go.”
Our Town’s Walk and Talk
When I got back home to my town of Pine Falls, Manitoba, I looked at the town’s local park in a new way. The Village Green, as we call it, has a level pathway around it. We got a couple of friends together and set the time of 1 pm for our Walk and Talk. And people kept joining in, more and more, so that we have the time of 1 pm everyday set. Most days someone is out there walking around the Village Green.
Creating Communities Within Communities
What all of us say about our Walk and Talk is that we like the fact that there is no texting and emailing about whether you will show up or not. Often it is so hard to get out the door, and we don’t know if we will even get out until we are outside and walking. Many of us are retired and live mostly alone so this is one carefree social interaction with friends that requires nothing of us and gives us each so much joy.
Alison shared that before developing the Walk and Talk they noticed that people will smile and acknowledge others who are walking with dogs or babies but not so much older people walking alone. They wanted to make something simple that people would just join in with. They wanted to have the set time on weekends because weekends can be really lonely for all people – working and retired. Alison urges you to take the model and make it work for you.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Would you consider asking a couple of friends to walk in a nearby park together? Would you enjoy just walking and chatting together about nothing in particular? Do you have a regular walking practice that you do alone and with others?
