Better Leisure supports ‘Let’s Lift the Curfew’ to make women feel safe when getting active outdoors in autumn and winter

A “Lift the Curfew” beginners track session for women is being held on Friday 31 October at Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium from 6.30-7.30pm.

• No booking required, register at Palmer Park Cafe from 6.15pm 
• Bring layers, water and be ready to run between 6.30pm - 7.30pm 
• Meet others and make friends over a hot chocolate in the cafe 7.30pm - 8pm 

Let’s Lift the Curfew is a national movement from This Girl Can that calls attention to the unwanted curfew many women feel during the darker months, when safety concerns limit their freedom to get active outdoors.

GLL, the not-for-profit social enterprise that operates Palmer Park on behalf of the council, is partnering with Reading Roadrunners as a way of highlighting the barriers many women face when exercising after dark.

Launched in 2023, Let’s Lift the Curfew has evolved into a national movement with an annual campaign moment when the clocks go back. Now in its third year, the campaign seeks to amplify women’s stories, promote allyship and encourage wider cultural awareness of the issues that prevent many from being active outdoors during the autumn and winter — from poor lighting to fear of harassment.

Kerri French, Coaching Liaison Officer for Reading Roadrunners and an ambassador for This Girl Can, said: “Every winter, many women are forced to adjust their routines, avoid certain routes or stop being active outdoors altogether – not because they want to, but because they don’t feel safe. It is a societal failure that women changing their behaviour is normalised, rather than changing the behaviour of those that make them feel unsafe. Let’s Lift the Curfew is about calling that out and demanding better.

“This year’s movement is powered by allies and communities everywhere who refuse to accept that women’s freedom should shrink when the sun goes down and the clocks go back. Together, we’re showing what real change looks like – one street, one run, one act of solidarity at a time.”

Participants in the Palmer Park event are encouraged to log their activity on Strava, label it ‘Let’s Lift the Curfew’, and share it on social media using the hashtag #LetsLiftTheCurfew, tagging @thisgirlcanuk, @better_palmer_park and @Reading_Roadrunners to help amplify the message nationally.

After the run, participants are invited to have a hot chocolate in the leisure centre café.

Let’s Lift the Curfew is a call to action. The movement urges communities, organisations and local authorities to contribute to lasting change – from fostering greater education and cultural awareness around women’s safety and allyship, to ensuring public spaces and outdoor areas are designed with women’s needs in mind.

“We’re delighted to be supporting this campaign,” said GLL Area Community Sports Manager Steph Smith. “It’s an important way of sparking conversations and inspiring practical steps to make our shared spaces safer, more welcoming, and truly open to everyone.”

For more information about Let’s Lift the Curfew and how to get involved, visit www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/our-partnerships-and-projects/lets-lift-curfew

Please note this session is for Women only, as we are sharing the track with Reading Roadrunners there will be males and females on the track completing their regular training.