If you notice a grey and slightly built woman out running up Udimore Hill or along Military Road early in the mornings this may very well be Ellis Harper, whose speed and demeanour (everything about her in fact) belie the fact that she is the mother of five and grandmother to four. On meeting her it soon becomes evident this is not the only way that Ellis is exceptional.
Ellis is committed to the needs of the community of Rye and the surrounding area. Ellis volunteers, along with her husband Bob, at Rye Foodbank. Ellis says “seeing the need for not just assistance with food but in many different areas including mental health, and the rise in suicide rates, inspired me to to look at how I could help and support in a new way.”
While suicide statistics during the Covid pandemic have not yet been published by the Office of National Statistics, the suicide rate for men in England and Wales in 2019 was the highest for twenty years, official figures show.
Provisional data, published by the ONS, show there is increased risk of suicide among three groups: people with pre-existing mental health conditions, young people who self harm, and less well-off middle aged men.
Ellis explains she met the founder of a new initiative called Running Space a few years ago and began to think about starting a local group. After undergoing extensive training Ellis become a qualified run leader through British Athletics. Ellis feels it is motivating and fulfilling to be helping and encouraging people and Running Space is a way for her to meet this ambition.
Running Space is open to everyone, and all ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome. Ellis says it’s important to realise it is not a standard running group. It is about teaching people how to run as a conduit for building hope, mental and physical health and strong relationships.
The first Running Space group will be on Monday, March 21 at 9:30am at the back of the Rye Baptist church car park. Please message Ellis on ellisharper1@gmail.com.
Image Credits: Bob Harper .
Exercise is well known for helping with one’s mental well being and it’s great to see the creation of this running group! Good luck with it all!