When SMILE first gathered for a walk along Southend seafront in October 2024, founders Lee Clark and Karl Lansley had no idea just how far their simple idea would go. What began as two friends supporting each other through their own mental health journeys has now grown into a thriving community movement built on Support, Motivation, Inspiration, Love and Empathy – the five qualities behind the powerful acronym SMILE.
Today, SMILE is so much more than a walking group. It’s a social support network, a safe space, a family, and for many, a lifeline. Its success reflects a message central to Active Essex’s Find Your Active: Move for your Mind campaign – that movement, in any form, can be a powerful tool for supporting better mental wellbeing.
How SMILE Began
Both Lee and Karl had experienced their own mental health struggles over the years. For Karl, walking became an unexpected source of comfort and grounding, especially after completing a 1,000 mile memorial walk in July 2024 in honour of his late wife. Inspired by nature, connection and a desire to help others, the pair decided to start a local walking group, to help benefit others who may also be struggling.
Their very first walk took place in October 2024 along Southend seafront. Every walk since has stayed within a 30‑minute drive of Southend, making it accessible to as many people as possible, but what happened next exceeded anything they could have imagined.
A Growing Community with Real Impact
What started with a handful of people, has now become a vibrant and ever‑expanding community. SMILE hosts regular monthly walks (often aiming for two) alongside social meals and midweek meet-ups, and attendance continues to grow. Most walks attract around 45–50 people and a recent event drew an impressive 72 participants, yet the true impact of SMILE extends far beyond its numbers.
Members consistently share how the group has helped them feel less isolated, more positive, and more connected to others. Some join after experiencing bereavement or personal struggles with their mental health, while others simply love nature or want a friendly space to walk their dogs. The group welcomes everyone, and although the average age sits around 40–60, SMILE is open to all genders, backgrounds and abilities. What unites everyone is the desire to feel safe, supported and part of something meaningful.
This sense of belonging perfectly embodies the ethos behind Find Your Active: Move for your Mind, which champions movement as a powerful pathway to improved mood, reduced stress and better overall mental wellbeing. For SMILE members, the weekly walks offer exactly that – a chance to step outside, breathe, reset and connect.
Hosted on a Sunday at 10am, the group sets off from a carefully chosen location. At the start point, Lee and Karl always greet attendees (especially newcomers) with warmth, reassurance and a short introduction to the day’s route. In the early days, the founders led every walk themselves, one guiding at the front and the other supporting from the back to keep everyone together. But as SMILE grew, so did the sense of ownership among its members. Now, regular ‘SMILERS’ suggest new routes, share their favourite spots and even lead the walks themselves. This shared responsibility has helped the group flourish and has made every member feel like SMILE is their group. Alongside the walking itself, the conversations, friendships and moments of connection, often continue long after the route is finished.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Space
Joining a new group can be daunting, especially when struggling mentally or emotionally, and Lee and Karl take that seriously. When someone reaches out nervously on Facebook, they always respond personally, reassuring them, offering to walk alongside them, and reminding them they’ll receive a warm welcome.
There’s also a core group of 25–30 regular members who have been with SMILE since the early days, and they’ve become natural ambassadors – friendly faces who make newcomers feel included from the moment they arrive. This culture of kindness has become one of SMILE’s greatest strengths.
The Power of Word‑of‑Mouth
Much of SMILE’s growth has come from the simple power of human recommendation. People join a walk, enjoy it, feel something shift and then bring a friend. And then another. And another. Their Facebook page is filled with snapshots of smiles, coastlines, dogs and muddy boots, highlighting how much participants value the sense of community the group offers.
Since COVID, more people have rediscovered the mental health benefits of being outdoors, and SMILE taps into that beautifully by offering structure, belonging and community in a way that feels natural and uplifting.
Changing Lives
Some of the feedback SMILE receives is deeply moving. One long‑term member wrote publicly that the group had ‘literally changed her life’. She never shared the details of her struggles, but her message was clear: SMILE gave her hope again. For Lee and Karl, those moments are indescribably humbling.
Lee commented; “This group has helped me make incredible friends. Hearing people’s stories, witnessing the journeys they’re on, watching them slowly open up, it fills my heart with pride. It reminds me that pain looks different on everyone, but none of us are alone in it.”
Karl added; “I am beyond proud of what we’ve created and on a personal level, I have made loads of genuine new friends which I can now meet up with even outside of the group.”
What’s next for SMILE?
The future is full of possibility. SMILE now sees itself as a broader social support group, with plans that reach beyond walking alone. Upcoming ideas include restaurant meet‑ups, monthly quiz nights, theatre trips, new walking routes and any activity the community expresses interest in. And of course, new faces are always welcome. Anyone can get involved by joining their Facebook community and coming along to a walk or event.
SMILE: A reminder that no one has to face life alone
SMILE was created from a place of pain, but it has grown into something filled with hope. Through community, compassion and the grounding power of nature, it has become a safe space for anyone seeking connection. The group continues to walk forward together, and that’s what SMILE is all about.
Find out more about SMILE here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941678407780971
Find out more about Find Your Active: Move for your Mind here: www.activeessex.org/find-your-active
