A women-focused health and wellness group has created a new social community in Manchester ahead of the winter months.
Girls on the Go is a free social community helping anyone who identifies as a woman connect with others via their Instagram and TikTok pages, before meeting in person for organised events.
Founders Stephanie Barney, Martin Mach, and Caitlin Lewing began creating a Manchester-based community in June this year, with their first in-person event held in August.
Now autumn and winter are on their way and swathes of university students are moving to the city, the group is starting to gain momentum.
The Girls on the Go community originally began as a running club in Liverpool in 2023, inspired by the founders’ personal struggles with “immense loneliness” and their recognition that many women felt unsafe running alone.
From there, the group grew to encompass a range of social activities including walks, coffee-shop meet ups, ‘speed friending’ and educational talks.
Co-Founder Barney said: “I think it’s important for women to have a space where they can feel safer and more comfortable.”
The community also use some of their events as fundraisers for local and national charities.
One of their charity runs in Liverpool raised £26,000 for Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service while their Christmas Santa Run raised £5,000 for charity Refugee Women Connect.
Now, they aim to build a similar community in Manchester in an attempt to tackle loneliness among women of all ages and backgrounds, with the opportunity for women to also attend age-specific events.
Co-creator Mach said: “Our mission is to make the UK a less lonely place for girls.”
Mach said Girls on the Go has received “hundreds” of messages from women struggling to make friends, and the team offer initial one-to-one meet ups for women who are nervous about attending.
Looking to the future, Mach and Barney mentioned their aim to collaborate with other Manchester-based women’s social groups to raise awareness that communities like theirs exist.
Barney said: “As long as they have a support system, that’s all that matters.”
Girls on the Go are planning a ‘welcome walk’ in Manchester city centre on 24 September to welcome university students to the city, alongside any other women who would like to attend.
You can stay updated via Girls on the Go’s Instagram page @girlsonthegomcrr or via their website at www.girlsonthego.uk.
Featured image: Girls on the Go
