Stephanie's Lockdown Story

I live in rural Kent; I lost my husband some years ago and I have no family living in the county, so when the Covid pandemic began, I faced being potentially very isolated.

This wasn’t a great prospect, as I have episodes of reactive depression in relation to major life events, but I did what I could to help myself. For example, I gave up alcohol to help me with the weight I wanted to lose (four stone), and because I had had issues with it in the past. During the very first lockdown, I began walking on my own.

Walking was something I’d found had really helped me in the past. I’ve always enjoyed it: I grew up in the countryside, and as an adult I’d done a few long-distance walks for charity, but then I found that the demands and long hours of my job as a healthcare assistant left me little free time, so it wasn’t until after I had retired that I was able to get back into it. When I’m out walking, I love listening to, and hearing, nature in all its forms – birds singing, the wind blowing or the sound of a brook running.

Unfortunately, whilst out walking, I broke a wrist – at the time, it felt like one more thing I was having to deal with on my own! When I’d recovered, I decided to find a walking group, and I joined the Ramblers in Spring 2020. I felt that I’d be safer walking with others and that it would be a great chance to meet new people, to share experiences and ideas about how we were coping with lockdown, as well as discovering new places.

At that time, group walks weren’t possible, but just being in contact with the Ramblers, and keeping up to date with what was happening about group walks was very helpful: it felt like a way forward and something to look forward to. When group walks were able to restart in July 2020, I did walks with several Kent groups, before deciding to make Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers ‘my’ group. They were very friendly and welcoming, and through them I enjoyed finding new places to walk.

I would sign up really quickly when a group walk became available – I loved the variety and the chance to get out into some lovely scenery and be at one with nature, and each time there would be different people to talk to. But the walks gave me so much more than just walking opportunities! I made new friends and my mental and physical health has improved: I’ve managed to lose four stone in weight, and I’ve maintained that loss.

Every single member of Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers – the whole group – deserve lots of credit for being so welcoming and supportive. Walking with them, and being a member, has given my confidence a real boost. I’ve got a new ‘get up and go’ spirit, which has led me to get involved with volunteering opportunities. Through my local district council, I’ve become a litter-picker, which has given me more opportunities to get outdoors and meet new people, as well as to protect green spaces. I now regularly pick up litter too when I’m out walking with Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers. I’ve also started doing voluntary gardening with Spadeworks, a local charity that provides gardening and hospitality experience for vulnerable young adults.

But best of all, I found the confidence to lead my first Ramblers group walk. I talked a lot with people who had led previous walks – they gave me lots of advice, and also encouraged me to lead a walk near where I live.

So, at the end of June 2021, I led a small group of Ramblers on a walk around Snodland, where I live, and up onto the North Downs Way. I was nervous, but very excited. I got lots of encouragement, and I’m scheduled to lead more walks in the Autumn.

Now I’m always encouraging people to join the Ramblers. All in all, I think I’ve come a long way since those difficult days at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, and I can’t thank Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers group enough!