Two friends who met when they became new mums have now launched a parent and baby walking group.

Each week dozens of people meet to take in some fresh air and connect. Here, co-founder India Pearson-Clarke reveals how the group came to be…

Three years ago, Jade Pooley and I were just two new mums, figuring out this wild new chapter of life together - walking the coastline between Folkestone and Hythe with our babies and dogs in tow.

We first met at an NCT group and quickly bonded over the fact that we were both yoga teachers.

But it was when we realised we each had dogs that needed daily walks that something clicked - why not walk together and naturally, our babies came along for the ride.

We had both tried baby groups and while they had their place, we often found them a little static.

Conversations revolved around sleep deprivation and nappy changes (which, let’s be honest, are unavoidable topics), but something about walking together felt different.

The rhythm, the movement, the fresh air - it all made space for deeper, more natural conversations.

Those walks became our lifeline, a place to reconnect with ourselves beyond just being ‘mum’.

Fast forward to today - maternity leave behind us, careers resuming - Jade and her partner Ollie have opened Yoke, a yoga studio and café on Guildhall Street in Folkestone.

After welcoming my second baby, I started teaching there too.

One day, Jade turned to me with an idea: What if we created a parent and baby walking group from Yoke?

She’d seen how much I’d benefited from walking with my little ones and how I’d shared that experience on my Instagram (@india_outdoors).

She knew Yoke could be the perfect hub to bring parents together in the same way.

And so, the Parent & Baby Walking Group was born.

At our very first meet-up, over 30 parents gathered at Yoke, grabbing a coffee and chatting before heading out for a leisurely walk along The Leas, taking in the stunning sea views.

It was incredible to watch friendships forming, stories being shared, and parents soaking up the fresh air together.

After 45 minutes of walking, we returned to Yoke, where everyone could relax, feed their babies, and enjoy a meal in a welcoming, supportive space.

Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.

Whether you are pushing a buggy, carrying your baby, or simply looking for connection, you’re welcome here.

We want this to be more than just a walk – it’s a space where movement, community, and real conversations come together, helping parents feel a little more like themselves.

We’ll be walking every Thursday at 11am – it’s completely free, we just ask parents to sign up via the Yoke website so we have an idea of numbers each week.

We’re so excited to keep this going every week, making space for fresh air, movement, and genuine community.