On My Feet is an Alike WA member group supporting vulnerable Australians to move from shelter towards self-sufficiency through connection, movement and practical support.
At the heart of their approach is the idea of offering a “hand up”. Through walking and running groups, participants can build routine, confidence and a sense of belonging while supporting their physical and mental wellbeing.
But the support extends beyond getting active. Participants can also access education, mentoring and life skills support, helping them reconnect with community and work towards future employment.
More than movement
On My Feet’s programs are designed to create an ongoing community around participants.
Walking, jogging and running provide a way to bring people together, but connection and practical support are an important part of what happens alongside them.
That sense of community is reflected in the experiences shared by previous participants. One described On My Feet as giving her “hope and the motivation to keep going”, while another described the group as a community that gave her purpose and structure.
Others spoke about being supported through difficult periods of their lives, finding a sense of family and having somewhere they felt comfortable belonging.
Supporting women experiencing housing insecurity
When we featured On My Feet in June 2026, the group was preparing for its next 8-Week Women’s Empowerment Program, running from 27 July to 20 September.
The free program was specifically designed for women experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. This included women couch surfing or staying temporarily with family or friends, living in crisis or transitional accommodation, at high risk of losing their current home, or recovering from addiction and looking for support to move forward.
No previous fitness experience was needed. Participants could walk, jog, run or take part in a combination that suited their ability.
The eight-week program included regular walk, run and strength sessions alongside workshops and mentoring. Participants were also invited to weekly coffee catch-ups and received clothing and equipment to help them take part.
The program included entry into the WAMC Women’s Classic 10km walk or run and, importantly, connection into On My Feet’s year-round program so that support and community did not simply end when the eight weeks were over.
Finding connection through community
The experiences shared by previous participants highlight how much that ongoing connection can mean.
One participant described On My Feet as her “engine for every day”, while another spoke about being able to stand positively again after experiencing many storms in her life.
It is a reminder that peer and community support can take many forms. Sometimes connection begins with a conversation. Sometimes it starts by simply walking alongside someone.
To learn more about On My Feet and its programs, visit the On My Feet website.