about us
People protect what they love. We’re on a mission to help women connect with nature through off-road running knowledge, experience and friendships.
Our Mission
To help women connect with nature through off-road running knowledge, experience and friendships. Everyone else who identifies with our values is very welcome too.
Our Values
We value positive language and behaviour, empathy and respect, main-character energy and support-crew kindness.
Why women?
Research shows that people who spend more time in nature are more likely to take pro-environmental behaviour. It makes sense, we care for what we value. Research also shows men spend more time outdoors than women and gain more, physically and mentally, as a result. Research also shows that women don’t spend as much time in nature because they are scared.
Women aren’t gaining the same physical and mental health benefits as men. They may be less likely to protect the natural world. And they may pass their fear onto their families.
Women also tend to make decisions about household choices, and when we live in a world of overconsumption, climate change and biodiversity loss, these choices really matter.
Free Range People focuses on supporting women to help redress this imbalance and we invite everyone to join us. Women have told us that what they need most to feel more confident outdoors are:
- Other people
- Skills training and experience
- Knowledge about what to do
That’s why our focus is knowledge, experience and friendships.
Of course, there’s another problem; that the research focuses on people being men OR women. That’s why our mission and name involve ALL people who share our values.
Why running?
It doesn’t have to be running. Any time in nature has positive health benefits and can motivate pro-environmental behaviour.
Running is what we know and where we can add value by bringing together the knowledge, experiences and friendships that build confidence off-road. And running is a bit awesome. Did you know that running can help heal the physical harm in the brain caused by traumatic stress? Really, very awesome.
Trail running is also the fastest growing sport in the UK. However the word ‘trail’ is often used to mean ‘on a mountain’ or ‘100 miles’ when these are out of reach for most of us. We use the term ‘off-road running’ to mean runs of any distance on the footpaths, tracks, bridleways and paths near our homes.
Why nature?
Because we need it and it’s dying. Food, water, furniture, holidays – they all come from nature. Biodiversity loss and overconsumption are driving climate change, which is driving further loss. This can be reversed and nature can be restored, but we need everyone to act. And we won’t save nature while women fear it.