Liz leads Leeds running charity

Liz Adams works for The Running Charity who support vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk homelessness and often have multiple or complex needs.

"We support them by going out running. We find it helps them to get some fresh air, explore the local green spaces.

We go to where people are, we can start walking at first, building up to running, and that’s where the magic happens. It helps in terms of setting goal and helps give them structure, as well as the physical and mental benefits”

Liz has been working full-time for three years after being a volunteer for a year. She started the programme in leeds and is the only full-time member of staff, with a team of nine volunteers. YSF supported with funding with the Young People Forward project funded through the London Marathon Charitable Trust when she was taken on. The charity also has bases in Manchester and London. 

This year she has helped 45 people, often referred to the charity by partners such as, Gipsil/Our Way Leeds , Spear Barca and the Care Leavers Team. In previous years they have also worked with the Princes Trust, Refugee Council and Getaway Girls.

"There’s something magic about running. the kind of chat you can have when you are side-by-side, out moving, maybe in in a green space can be massively helpful.

"The majority of people we support could be managing a mental health struggle, so it’s not just the physical side.

"Once people realise they can get outside for a walk in the fresh air or run it they feel they can take charge of their day a bit more in what, through no fault of their own, could be a chaotic life.

"This can build up and help give you the agency to take control over the choices you make, and support yourself better.

"So many of us in life find running is a really good way of managing our mental health. Helping them discover that for themselves is a massive thing

"Getting people together in one place is a massively important thing to have. That social interaction helps inspire each other.

“We have a couple of groups that happen each week and get to at least one parkrun a month, they are so many good ones in Leeds to choose from. We can help people by paying to get into a races, providing kit where we can and setting challenges.

"Some we sometimes take day trips out to the Yorkshire Dales. We’ve done a session in every parking Leeds and we go out as far as we can get

"We have a runner who’s doing their first half marathon this summer, and a few doing the Shadwell 10k. It’s whatever goal they want to set up for themselves.

"The volunteers make it all possible, from travel challenges getting to groups together. They help with things like lifts and supporting people, as well as to listen, chat have a laugh. It’s nice to have that luxury in being laid-back in how we offer the support

"When we are out, we are all runners.  

"We get so much from the young people we support. We often learn more from them than they do from us in the resilience and a good spirit they show In the faces of the challenges they are managing. 

"The volunteers are often helping themselves recover from injury and pushing themselves to go further

"Volunteering has got to work for you, fit in with your life, but if you feel you are able to give your time and energy, it’s massively rewarding to be part of it.

"It’s quite nice at the Support we offer that can be more chilled out. We could be like a big brother or big sister and it can be more informal and we can refer on to other organisations when needed for things we are not qualified for. 

"Volunteering is so important. You get so much back from it."