About

This initiative was designed to help the resident creative community at Somerset House build stronger connections, reflect on their values, and take meaningful action on global challenges. By leveraging the power of walking and conversation, participants explored personal and collective growth in an engaging and reflective environment.

Objective

To foster a sense of community among Somerset House residents, enhance their communication and listening skills, and inspire tangible actions toward addressing global challenges.

Solution

Somerset House hosted a series of three "Walking Conversations," each structured to guide participants through themed walks designed to:

Explore inner strengths and personal values.
Connect deeply with nature and the surrounding environment.
Build and nurture meaningful relationships within the community.

Each session emphasised key skills such as:

Deep Listening: Encouraging participants to fully engage with and understand others.
Meaningful Dialogue: Sparking insightful and thoughtful conversations.

Collaborative Growth: Fostering a sense of teamwork and shared purpose.

Result

The Walking Conversations created a profound impact on participants and the Somerset House community:

Strengthened interpersonal bonds, cultivating a more cohesive and supportive creative community.
Enhanced communication and listening skills that participants applied in both personal and professional settings.
Inspired participants to take tangible steps toward creating positive change within their networks.

Through this simple yet impactful approach, the Walking Conversations highlighted the power of reflection, connection, and nature in driving individual and collective growth.

What our partners and participants say

"Changing the conventional setting in which conversations happen creates a new space where different flavors of talks can occur, untethered from previous experiences."

"The first contact with a stranger, especially while sharing deeper thoughts, can occasionally cause anxiety, but through this walking conversation, I felt in a safe space and more comfortable than I normally would."

"What I particularly liked about the walking conversation is that it allowed me to have a quiet moment to reconnect with myself and my feelings. I was able to shift focus from everything else to myself. I felt very secure opening up to complete strangers, something I usually struggle with in a traditional setting."

"Very interesting group of women! I liked the paired exercise, which immediately made me feel closer to the other person. I enjoyed the opportunity to listen to others without worrying about what to say or reply—just the pleasure of listening! I also learned more about my environment and noticed things I’d never seen before."

"I think the walking and talking made the conversation less intense. Some of the questions required a lot of thought; had we been seated facing each other, especially with someone I hadn’t met before, it would have been quite daunting. I would have been less inclined to be as open."