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Is It Possible to Tackle Homelessness Through Exercise?

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MBK- Homelessness Support UK
Is It Possible to Tackle Homelessness Through Exercise?

A Mile in Her Shoes are a unique charity in London that encourages women who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or affected by related issues, to run in their volunteer-based running classes. Their main aim is to keep women in these difficult situations fit and healthy through exercise, which also benefits women as a way of socialising and boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

homeless charities

Many people may feel like running and keeping fit would be the last thing on the minds of women dealing with homelessness of the charity, but the founder, Nicola Miller, reckons that homeless peoples' health is a huge issue. She explains: "The average life expectancy of a homeless woman is about 42. That lifestyle means that the average life expectancy drops. It's horrible." A Mile in Her Shoes argues that helping these homeless women to put on a pair of trainers and start getting fit can be an essential part of helping them to rebuild their lives.


A Mile in Her Shoes works by offering women these running classes, run by qualified, trained and insured runners who volunteer with the charity. Everyone is welcome in the sessions, and they are designed to be fun and suitable for all fitness levels.


In addition to offering the running and exercise classes, the charity even provides these women with everything they would need to participate, including sports bras and suitable running footwear. This running gear is all second-hand, sourced from donations, apart from the sports bras and socks, which are always offered new.


Nicola Miller founded the charity running group in 2012, following a stint volunteering at one of charity Crisis' shelters over that Christmas-time. She felt inspired to help out further, and discovered that homeless people were offered limited resources for exercising and keeping fit. Miller then decided to begin A Mile in Her Shoes, which she believes has the right idea about tackling homelessness.


A Mile in Her Shoes is about tackling the complex issue in a more rounded way, rather than purely through providing housing. They focus on improving the confidence and self-esteem of those impoverished women, and about trying to holistically heal the wounds that come with losing your home. The positive affects that come from confidence building through exercise can be huge, and truly instrumental to helping those women start to change their lives for the better.


Homelessness has become more of an issue than ever under the coalition government, as the number of homeless people has increased drastically. The most visible form of homelessness is people actually sleeping rough on the streets, which has risen nationally by 37% (over a third) since 2010. Also, according to another study, the number of homeless people taking placements in temporary accommodation rose by 24% from 2010 to 2014. Visit https://mybrotherskeeper.org.uk/

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MBK- Homelessness Support UK
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