Jane Dennison is the founder of a running club for beginners in Manchester called the Mile Shy Club. She is passionately committed to helping others to discover the benefits of running and walking - because running has been such a vital part in her own mental health journey.

When Jane was younger, she experienced profound poverty, loneliness and depression. As a teenager, she was homeless and lived on and off the streets for several years before being hospitalised at 18 due to mental overload and exhaustion.

Jane is diagnosed with gerneralised anxiety which, today, still impacts on many aspects of her life. Yet while it can be exhausting and stressful, it's also - as you will discover - what has given her the drive and determination to achieve so much in her life.

Jane started the Mile Shy Club to encourage and support people who don’t exercise to have a go at running. The club has been phenomenally successful and is constantly expanding. It now includes five running groups, six walking groups, and has won awards for innovation, best coach and best club. Jane also runs a group for people with disabilities – which includes mental health issues.

At the Mile Shy Club, everyone receives a warm welcome and no one gets left behind. ‘Everyone gets a hug if they want one,’ says Jane . This is because there are so many people who can go years without human warmth or connection – as Jane knows from her own experience.

Thank you for listening today.
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