New fitness club Run Your Mouth is taking strides to support young adults struggling with loneliness after transitioning to post-university life.
Having returned to her home town of Esher in 2023, 22-year-old Darcey Coombs struggled to adapt after graduating from the University of East Anglia.
The sudden lack of a constant social circle, activities, and a routine started impacting both her mental and physical health.
Coombs said: “After moving back home after university, I found my sense of connection to my community was completely taken away.”
This led Darcey to establish Run Your Mouth, a running club aimed at providing recent graduates with a weekly fitness regime and a space to socialise without the pressures of drinking or late nights.
Four in 10 young adults aged 16-29 often, always, or sometimes feel lonely, as shown by January 2025 data from the Office for National Statistics.
This is concerningly higher than the overall rate across ages in the UK, which indicates that less than a third of people feel lonely often, always or sometimes.
The data, based on research between 4 December 2024 to 5 January 2025, also reveals that 16-29-year-olds experience loneliness more than any other age group in the UK.
These statistics underscore the need for initiatives like Coombs’, which not only tackle loneliness but also promote physical health.
The club, which meets every Tuesday evening, has quickly gained popularity among young adults seeking socialisation in a healthy and sustainable environment.
Coombs said: “For me and many young people, it’s hard to get out and meet people unless you go out drinking or you’re having late nights at the pub, and it’s really hard to fit that into a full-time work schedule.
“Running is such a release from everyday stress and worries because it just balances me out and I do notice the endorphins.
“It makes me feel better about everything in life.”
Mind’s head of information Stephen Buckley recognises the challenges young adults face post-university when it comes to adjusting to new routines and circumstances.
He said: “For many of us, moving on after studying can be both exciting and daunting.
“You might be struggling to find work or worrying about how you’re going to cope financially.
“There can also be a pressure to figure out exactly what you want to do with your life and choose the right next steps.”
Buckley emphasised that young adults feeling lost and hopeless after graduating are not alone.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics on 24 January 2025 reiterated this, as it revealed that people aged 16-29 felt the least hopeful about their future.
He highlighted the importance of staying in touch with friends who are experiencing similar situations.
He said: “Many of us feel lonely from time to time, and these feelings of loneliness are personal and everyone’s experiences will look, and be, different.
“Having our feelings validated by our peers can help us realise we’re not the only ones struggling, and it can help to reassure them too.”
Explaining why clubs like Run Your Mouth can have such a positive impact on mental health, Buckley explained that exercising or socialising outdoors not only improves physical health but can improve self-esteem, reduce feelings of stress and anger, and manage anxiety and depression.
He said: “Physical activity can also build our confidence and give us a sense of achievement.
“Take things at your own pace and try not to compare yourself to other people.”
Run Your Mouth member Olivia Churchouse joined the club after graduating from the University of Bristol in July 2024.
She praised the club for its welcoming atmosphere and the unexpected benefits of socialising while running.
Churchouse said: “I’ve always struggled with motivating myself to go out and exercise by myself.
“Darcey has created such a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and it was so lovely to have a chat with some lovely people.
“My mind was completely taken off of the running and I managed to do 5k without stopping, which was a real achievement for me.”
Coombss vision for Run Your Mouth goes beyond just gaining more members.
She said: “Sure, it would be cool if the club grew into something really big, but it was never about the numbers.
“Even if only one person turned up, then maybe I’ve been able to add positivity to that one person’s week, which has always been my goal since the start.”
She explained that seeing people enjoy the club she created makes her feel incredibly blessed.
Coombs said: “I’ve come back from a few sessions and my heart feels so full.
“Getting to genuinely connect with people again is such a highlight.”
Picture credits: Darcey Coombs
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