Never Walk Alone is a walking project that helps refugees and asylum seekers access, enjoy and develop a sense of belonging in the countryside and green spaces in and around London.
The project opens access to the countryside, creating opportunities for connection with each other and nature, and instilling a sense of belonging, care and mutual responsibility for culturally and ecologically important spaces.
Across eight years and 86 guided walks, the project has offered over 1,000 places across 55 rural and urban green spaces. Destinations have ranged from woodlands, wetlands and coastal paths, including the South Downs, Kent Coast, Chiltern Hills and Epping Forest.
Refugees and asylum seekers are among the most excluded groups from the UK countryside. Never Walk Alone addresses the barriers that prevent this group from accessing and enjoying natural spaces.
All walkers (from refugee backgrounds) have their transport costs covered. Refreshments are also provided by Fences & Frontiers.
We keep each walk to a maximum of 20 people.
Please complete our referral form if you would like to join the group.
“At first the outings were an escape from our lives as asylum seekers. Now it's a reunion with friends, filled with the positive energy of nature and coexistence”.
Conservation and care
Never Walk Alone is not just about access to nature, but about creating a sense of belonging and shared stewardship of natural spaces.
Through our partnerships with organisations like Epping Forest Heritage Trust, South London Botanical Institure, Walk This Way, ZsL, and CPRE London, our walkers develop greater knowledge and care for the wildlife and natural spaces around them.
Creativity and wellbeing
We also deliver creative and wellbeing activities that deepen participants’ connection to nature and one another.
Led by artists, writers and wellbeing practitioners experienced in trauma-informed, nature-based practice, activities have included photography, collage, singing, yoga, eco-poetry and wild drawing sessions.