Article was in print in “The Times of Tunbridge Wells“
“We want soletosoul to be a place where people can come to escape and chat to someone new”.
The big bad world can be a daunting place. Stepping away from the security and routine of full-time education, whether that be school or university, can leave people feeling lost and alone. Many at this stage of life find going out and drinking to be their sole form of social interaction. Inspired by this, friends Lani Macdonald and Ben Mcdaid sought to give the young people of Tunbridge Wells another option.
British drinking culture, particularly among the youth, dominates so much of our social lives. Not only does heavy, consistent drinking harm your mental and physical health but the added pressure to follow to this norm, if you want to make and maintain friendships, only exacerbates these negative effects.
Ben describes the pressure to conform to these aspects of youth culture as a source of great unhappiness, and in a search to find more positive alternatives landed on running, citing the “feeling of satisfaction that came after”.
With this in mind, Sole to Soul Social Club (STSSC), was created. STSSC is a “running club started by friends who like running with friends”. It was formed with the aim of using the social side of running to help not only their mental health, but that of others who found themselves in a similar position.
Beyond going out drinking, there is not much of a social scene for those between 18-30 in Tunbridge Wells. The runs organised by STSSC provide a great way for young people to get out, meet new people or open up to ones they already know, while also improving both their physical and mental health.
It has been shown that individuals find it easier to interact with new people, or even open up to friends, when conversing side by side rather than face to face. The distraction of the run takes away from any potential awkwardness these interactions may entail.
Finding or maintaining a close group of friends is so incredibly vital when it comes to navigating the trials and tribulations of modern life, whether that be moving away from a place of security or something else entirely.
Although Tunbridge Wells does hold a weekly park run, attending can often feel somewhat intimidating for new runners.
STSSC’s emphasis on the social side of running means there is none of the competitiveness or ego so often associated with the sport. I can speak from experience, as someone who has never run before and struggles to even do Couch to 5k, the runs are always at a very steady pace and Ben and Lani ensure there is always an unbelievably supportive, positive and enjoyable environment.
The Club was initially made up of Ben and Lani’s close friendship group. As someone who no longer drinks, Ben describes how being able to spend time with his friends without having to alter his way of life enriched it, stating, “It was the feeling of belonging rather than fitting in that brought so much joy to my life”.
STSSC is by no means anti-drinking, many of the evening runs end with a pint and for many people drinking with their friends is where they find that sense of belonging Ben refers to. STSSC was simply founded to show young people there are other options.
Every run ends with a celebratory coffee and cake; or as stated, occasionally a pint for those who drink. Allowing runners to recuperate together and socialise in a welcoming, friendly and healthy way.
Having experienced the benefits within their friendship group, Lani and Ben wished to expand and spread the message as far as they could. Lani speaks of how she hopes “the future of STSSC holds a larger community of soletosoul runners, supporting each other with their running goals while also supporting each other in other aspects of life”.
Stuck in a rut, feeling lost, or just wanting to meet like-minded people while enjoying the natural beauty of the Tunbridge Wells area? Sole to Soul Social Club may be the answer. Go their Instagram (@soletosoulsocialclub) to find details of their next run.
Henry Tuppen 
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