A service evaluation of ‘A Mile in Her Shoes’: the impact of volunteer-led running groups for women affected by homelessness

Abstract

Purpose: Homeless people are a heterogeneous and hard to reach population who are known to suffer significant physical health problems and whose circumstances pose challenges for accessing health services. Physical activity is important for sustaining health and group exercise has been shown to be beneficial for self-esteem and confidence. “A Mile in Her Shoes” is a volunteer-led charity which provides physical activity and clothing to women who have lived experience of homelessness. The purpose of this research was primarily to explore the experiences of women using the service and establish how running has impacted their lives. A secondary objective was to use the findings to feedback to the charity regarding service design. This study is relevant to physiotherapists working in urban areas where homeless people may make up a proportion of their clinical caseload, as it provides insight into how community based physical activity programmes can impact on the wellbeing of this vulnerable population.