NEVER WALK ALONE

By Jackie Rankin

They say a stranger is just a friend you have not yet met. It is never truer than the Our Croxteth walking group for people of all ages. We went along to find out more.

It’s a mild Sunday morning. Paul Denny is at the gates of the historic Croxteth Hall Gardens, a few miles outside Liverpool city centre.

People arrive, say hello and begin chatting while they wait to begin their hour long walk around the park. The walk has spun friendships that even organiser Paul couldn’t have envisaged when he posted on a local online platform, Next Door (nextdoor.co.uk), inviting people to join him for a Sunday walk. Paul, a nurse, has volunteered for much of his life.

“I turned up that first Sunday wondering if anyone would come – but they did, and we’ve never missed a week yet. We don’t let rain stop us, we just dress for the weather and we always have a hot drink and a chat in the café afterwards.”

There’s no charge to take part and he does the background organising in his own time. Funding from ‘Our Croxteth’ community partnership has enabled Paul to buy medical equipment and items for social events.

Walker Carol (below left) arrives to hellos and hugs from a small group of women. Less than a year ago none of them had ever met. They’ve just been on holiday to Spain and are now planning a winter break.

Carol had struggled after her husband died. As she’s recounting her nervousness at turning up completely alone, fellow walker Jan shouts up, “You weren’t on your own long though were you?” Carol grins – the women have a clear bond. “I feel so much better since I’ve been doing the walks,” she says. And I’ve lost weight.”