Группа «Walking Mums» празднует два года: от одного прогулочного маршрута к общенациональному сообществу

A PARENT-LED walking group is celebrating two years of community and connection. Walking Mums, founded by Rachael Bagshaw, has brought together mothers across Cheshire and Greater Manchester through a growing network of family-friendly walks and events since its first outing in September 2024. Ms Bagshaw said: "When I organised that first walk two years ago, I genuinely didn’t know what Walking Mums would become. "It started as a maternity leave hobby and a way of bringing a few mums together, and it has grown into this incredible community with more than 20 walks every month and so many different ways for mums and families to connect." The first walk set off from Walton Gardens to Bellefields Brew, and the group now offers more than 20 walks each month, as well as brunch clubs, toddler activities, family events, and collaborations with local businesses. To mark its second anniversary, Walking Mums will recreate its original route and host two special events: a celebration with The Afternoon Spot on September 7, and another with Antz in Your Pantz on September 8. The milestone also sees the launch of a new Pram & Family-Friendly Walks section on the Walking Mums website. The new guide aims to help parents find accessible routes to enjoy with children, prams, and family members. Developed by Walking Mums volunteers and led by community member Azaira, each walk has been mapped and tested from a parent’s perspective. Routes are rated for pram suitability, toddler-friendliness, and carrier compatibility. Ms Bagshaw said: "One of the things we know is that getting outside with a baby or young children isn’t always as simple as it sounds. "You can find hundreds of walks online, but what you really need to know as a parent is: can I actually get my pram around it? "Can my toddler manage it? "Do I need a carrier?" She said volunteers have taken familiar routes and assessed them through the lens of a parent. She said: "We’ve created the resource we wished was easier to find." Ms Bagshaw believes that spending time outdoors and connecting with others can have a positive impact on both mothers and children. She said: "We know how much getting outside, moving and connecting with other people can do for us as mums and for our children. "We can’t wait to see families using these guides to explore more of the brilliant places around us – whether that’s with their Walking Mums friends, their own friends and family, or simply heading out together. "Two years ago we started with one walk. "It feels really special to celebrate our birthday by creating something that can help even more families get outside and do more together." Walking Mums continues to build partnerships with local businesses and organisations, delivering accessible events and experiences alongside its core walking programme. Despite the group’s growth, Ms Bagshaw said that the original vision remains the same: helping mothers explore, connect, and build confidence in the early years of parenthood. She said that 'motherhood shouldn’t make your world smaller'.