Faye Smith
Location: East Kent.
About: Faye may have led an award-winning communications consultancy for the past fifteen years, but now a lifetime love of walking has led her to become a pilgrim guide, North Downs Way Ambassador and start her new women’s walking business, Hope Walking.
Hope Walking provides restorative day walks for mind, body and spirit, walking challenges and longer coast path walks for women facing life’s many challenges who are looking to find a new way forward. Through talking while walking and helpful therapeutic techniques, Faye particularly loves helping women journey through loss, bereavement and trauma with her own lived experience.
Growing up on the edge of the Peak District before moving to Kent, Faye was climbing hills from a young age. She is a committed Rambler, led a women’s weekend walking group for many years and founded NetWalking for Yorkshire businesses in 2015, which attracted hundreds of members. She recently launched NetWalking Kent.
Faye has endured a series of losses and bereavements, which have caused her to explore the deeply therapeutic healing power of walking as part of her recovery journey and to write a book exploring life after loss. She has walked and swum her way down Australia’s East Coast solo and covered over 500 miles of the England Coast Path… so far. Faye is a person of faith who loves daily sea swimming, being in nature, visiting historic sites, hosting people, drinking tea and talking to others about their journeys.
Despite all life has thrown at her, she is determined to continue her mission to encourage others into lives of purpose and freedom, sharing the hope she has found to face life again- hence the name of her new business, Hope Walking. Her inspiring story featured throughout the national media can be found here.
In recognition of her inspirational support for others in business and life, Faye has won a host of business awards. She is a regular guest on BBC Radio, speaking on business, women, family and faith issues and her story and business have been featured throughout the media. Described as a motivating and inspiring speaker, she tells her story and imparts skills at workplace, women’s and faith-based events nationally.
Services offered: Guided wellbeing walks; bereavement and loss support walks; Bring Your Own Beliefs pilgrimages; challenge walks; longer overnight stay walks; NetWalking for businesses.
Suitability: Women-only walks; group walks; faith groups; businesses.
Contact:
Telephone: 07985038265
Email: hopewalkingjourneys@gmail.com
Website: hopewalking.co.uk