For some participants, the impact has been life‑changing.
Sofia Jahangir, 45, who lives in Eastville, Bristol, said she was signposted to one of the group’s Sista Trails for women in April after finding herself “in a very bad place”.
“I had extreme social anxiety. I was too scared to leave the house or to even open the door. I was struggling to speak to any new people.”
Jahangir said the first time she met with the group, she “was so nervous” but they soon made her “feel so welcome”.
She said the group had been life-changing and she had now been “able to achieve more than I thought I’d be able to”.
“I felt I had no support before this. It’s completely changed the meaning of nature around me. It helped me to get out of bed.”
“I was accepted as I was, as I am. I’m just glad I found them,” she added.