16/06/2026
Through the Springfield Spark Community Fund, Roehampton Wellbeing for Women and Girls has been bringing women together in Springfield Park through a series of guided nature walks. Led by artist, writer and tour guide Saira Niazi, the sessions combined storytelling, art and simple wellbeing practices – ending each walk with chai and food in Tooting.
We spoke to Saira to hear how Springfield Spark has supported women's health and wellbeing, as well as increasing their connection to Springfield Village 🌳
“No one had been to the park before! Many of the women who attended are from farming or rural backgrounds, so living in an urban, built-up area like the Alton Estate in Roehampton is a big change for them. By being in such a green space, they were able to reconnect with their homes and develop a greater sense of belonging in London. It has also helped people to feel safe in the park and confident to self-organise future nature walks.
“Walking and being outside is also a great way for people to talk about their mental health. It helped the women to feel less self-conscious than if they were in a traditional therapy session. Walking also helped people to feel comfortable before we all got together for chai and a chat. Everyone became quite friendly by the end, and people appreciated that they could share as little or as much as they wanted."
Read the full interview: https://swlstg.nhs.uk/latest-news/springfield-spark-community-fund-roehampton-wellbeing-women-and-girls-3082
