Social meet-ups group lets women try new activities

At the Ponds Forge sports centre in Sheffield, a group of 30 women are jumping off diving boards - many for the first time.

The session has been organised by Soul & Social Club, a community for women that runs activities and meets-ups to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Golf, pilates, pottery, tennis, glass painting, gymnastics and ballet are among the other pastimes members can try, but today the focus is in springboard diving for all abilities.

The event is billed as a "judgement-free zone" with guidance from coaches, and costs just £10. More than 100 women have taken part in the monthly sessions so far.

University of Sheffield medical student Fiona Kwan, who founded Soul & Social Club, says: "It's girls cheering each other on, meeting their fears at new heights and satisfying the little adrenaline junkie inside."

Kwan says she had noticed that she could go "many days without any meaningful interaction", and realised others faced the same issue.

Group member Tammy Wong adds that the women-only socials offer a chance to "all be scared together".

Kwan, 22, says she experienced isolation after returning from her clinical placements.

"It's an issue that many people face, such as women who work from home, postgraduate students and non-students."

The group's aim is for people to feel comfortable "trying new activities and to keep pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones".

Kwan arranged the club's diving sessions after trying the sport herself at a mixed class, and thinking that other women could end up feeling intimidated.

Lucy Alexander, 26, an engineer, says: "Sometimes it can be a bit daunting to try things by yourself. When there's a big, welcoming group of like-minded people it certainly encourages you to try things and get over that first hurdle."

Wong, 48, adds: "I heard about the sessions via social media and I thought this was a chance to learn to dive formally with other women in an inclusive environment.

"There's a sense of camaraderie, learning to dive we can all be scared together, cheer each other on and encourage each other, and progress together, so you don't feel alone."

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