How Girls on the Go is empowering young women
- Megan Wells
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8
A powerful insight into the Liverpool community-initiative helping young girls overcome loneliness and build confidence.
Loneliness is a growing issue for young women, particularly in this digital age when interactions over social media tend to take over in-person connections. However, one group has recognised the need for safe spaces where young women can form friendships…
Girls on the Go is a Liverpool-based community initiative, now with hearts in Manchester and Birmingham. Its core mission is to reduce loneliness and build confidence in young women. Friends Stephanie Barney, Caitlin Lewing, and Martin Mach created the group in 2023 and have now developed into a team of multiple event managers and social media editors.
The heart of the initiative: why and how was Girls on the Go created?
The hub was originally created as a running club, however, when girls at the runs expressed their challenges with loneliness, it sparked the question: how many other young women feel the same?
Co-founder Stephanie Barney explained she had a personal connection with the group. She said: "I came here for uni[versity], and I don't drink so I didn't really connect with the drinking culture here, and I found it really hard to make friends if it wasn't clubbing or drinking."
Girls on the Go host a wide variety of girl-only events, catering to all hobbies, interests and personalities. From yoga classes, solo craft-nights and intimate book clubs, to themed seasonal balls and the UK's largest girl-only bingo nights. Affordability is a central focus of Girls on the Go; Stephanie explained that they try to keep most events under £10, keeping events accessible to as many girls as possible.
Real-life impact: how Girls on the Go is changing mindsets
Many young women face the overwhelming hurdles of loneliness and isolation in their day-to-day lives, but for the few that find the confidence to join initiatives like Girls on the Go, these challenges start to face.
Ella Roberts, aged 21, moved to Liverpool for university two years ago and felt somewhat lost, trying to find her place in a new city. Intrigued by Girls on the Go, she attended her first event with a course mate: a solo wine glass painting night. As this is one of the quieter events offered, they felt reassured that they were not alone in their experiences of seclusion.
"What stands out about Girls on the Go is the genuine sense of community" she said. "The events don't feel like they're just gatherings or clubs. Everyone genuinely wants to be there and has a reason for being there. It really does feel like a safe space. And I think university students should take advantage of this group...feeling lonely is almost inevitable, and it's completely understandable."
Ella has since attended multiple events and explained that her hobbies have extended after trying new things with the group. She said: "It seems crazy to say, but I owe a lot to Girls on the Go...if you were to ask me about my hobbies six months ago, I wouldn't have known what to say, but I now go to pilates every week at my local gym...it's fully changed my view on exercise. I don't see it as a punishment anymore; I genuinely enjoy it and see it as an hour of switching off from uni[versity] work to socialise with my friends".
The bigger picture: supporting local charities
Beyond creating this safe space for women, Girls on the Go is committed to supporting local charities, specifically ones that align with its mission of empowering women, and protecting children.
Stephanie explained how the girls raised an impressive £24k for Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services in the summer during the Euros: "a lot of women end up being abused during the Euros, so it was really important for us to talk about that topic and also make a difference," she said.
Girls on the Go has supported six charities across Liverpool:
They raised over £5,000 in the Liverpool Santa Dash for Refugee Women Connect.
They also encouraged the community to support Alder Hey Children's Hospital, resulting in over 120 presents being donated for children.
Fifty-five women took part in the Liverpool ParkRun and raised over £6,300 for RASA Merseyside.
Lastly, the girls partnered with Liverpool City Council to donate Easter eggs for children in need across the city.
Growth and the future: what's next for Girls on the Go?
The rapid growth of this community group highlights the need for these spaces, where young women can feel safe and have the opportunity to connect with others relating to them. The group saw an increase in girls relying on them during the darker, winter months - as challenges of loneliness increase - when they gained over ten-thousand followers in two weeks over Christmas.
Stephanie said: "I think we're like a stepping stone. I think we facilitate the first step in making friends; once they put themselves out there to go to one [event], it's like oh ok I can do this, I can go and talk to more people."
The founders are hoping to expand to Bristol, where their brand marketing manager is based, and Leeds, in the hopes of building a connection with Liverpool and Manchester. New, exiting events, often in collaboration with charities or brands, are promoted to girls every month, drawing in new attendees hoping to build friendships.
"Everyone should go to one event to experience what he group feels like. The hardest part is building up the confidence to go to an event; once you've overcome that you will love it and you'd wish you went sooner!" said attendee Ella.
Girls on the Go is seen as more than just a group; it's a lifelines for young women seeking support. The group continues to grow and connect with more people, one event at a time.
Stephanie shared their simple mission: "We want to help women...helping is why we created it."
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