'Walking to school gives us both some calm before we start the day'

This week (18-22 May 2026), Living Streets is joining schools across the UK for Walk to School Week, our annual celebration of walking and wheeling.

As usual, I’ll be walking to school with my almost five-year-old Aeron, although it’s looking likely that we’ll need wellies and raincoats given the recent showers!

I’ve always loved walking and it’s important to me that Aeron gets into the habit as well. Because we live at the top of a big hill – and a 30-minute walk (which takes even longer with little legs) from the school – it’s not realistic for us to walk all the way there. Instead, we Park and Stride, meaning that I park ten minutes away from school and we walk the rest of the journey.

Doing this reduces traffic, congestion and road danger around the school gates and helps children and their families get some movement before they start their day.

For me, it means that I’m not fighting for a parking space and we both get some exercise first thing. It’s a lovely way to spend time together and notice the changing seasons, and we’ll often bump into friends on the way in.

We all know that regular exercise is great for kids – and grown-ups! – but did you know that children who walk or wheel to school often feel less anxious and find it easier to focus once they reach the classroom?

If I’m doing school pick-up that day, I’ll often leave the car and walk back home to work, giving me some headspace before I get stuck into emails and Teams meetings.

The big #WalkOut takes place on Friday 29 May, during National Walking Month, but if you have work or family commitments that day, you can choose a day and time that suits you and get out and enjoy a walk or wheel.

This National Walking Month, we’re inviting women to #WalkOut because more often than not we’re the ones who take on the majority of school drop-offs, care responsibilities and errands.

The #WalkOut also highlights the need for safer streets for women, girls and minority genders. Too many of us are put off from walking or wheeling due to unsafe streets, the fear of harassment and poor lighting.

You don’t have to be a woman to take part and anyone who wants to see more women walking safely on our streets can #WalkOut. You can #WalkOut in solidarity or you can support the #WalkOut by giving a woman in your life some time to walk or wheel alone or with friends.

Even better, everyone who signs up will be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 shopping voucher.

If you’re taking part, let us know! We’d love to see your photos or videos, so please remember to tag us @LivingStreets on social media and use the hashtag #WalkOut