Kira Creely-dillon

More than kilometres: the conversations along the way 🤍

One of the things I’ve already come to appreciate about One Foot Forward is that the kilometres are only one part of it. While out walking today, I crossed paths with someone from my local community and what started as a casual chat turned into a really thoughtful conversation about mental health, connection and looking out for the people around us. We spoke about older people in our community who may be experiencing mental health challenges , isolation or other barriers , and how easily people can become disconnected from support. He shared an experience that really stayed with me — not because it involved some huge intervention, but because the things that helped were incredibly simple. Offering practical support, checking in afterwards and making sure someone knew they hadn’t been forgotten. We talked about how important it is for communities to notice one another. That doesn’t mean trying to be someone’s counsellor or assuming we know what another person needs. Sometimes it can simply mean starting a conversation, listening without judgement, offering appropriate support or helping someone connect with services when they want or need them. It was a good reminder that mental health awareness isn’t only about the big conversations. Sometimes it looks like a lift home. A check-in. Noticing when somebody might need a little more connection. I started One Foot Forward to walk 40km and raise awareness for mental health, but moments like this are showing me how much value there can be in the conversations happening along the way. One foot forward, one conversation at a time. 🤍 Share

More than just the kilometres 🤍

6km down, and I'm already realising One Foot Forward is about so much more than walking 40km.

Walking is something I genuinely love, so taking on a challenge that lets me do that while supporting mental health awareness felt like a really meaningful thing to be part of.

What I didn't expect was how much it would push me outside my comfort zone too. I'm definitely not someone who feels completely natural talking to a camera 😂, but I'm giving it a go, sharing the journey and hopefully helping keep conversations around mental health going.

Even on my regular walks, I've already had some really meaningful conversations with people in the community — checking in, talking openly and simply creating space for conversations we probably wouldn't have had otherwise.

That's probably my favourite part of this so far.

There are plenty more kilometres to go, but if those kilometres can help raise awareness, encourage a conversation or remind someone to check in with the people around them, then they're pretty worthwhile. 🤍

One foot forward, one conversation at a time

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Why i’m putting one foot forward 🧡

It started with simply getting back out for a walk. I recently found my way back to walking after falling out of the habit when I had my daughter three years ago. It’s become something I genuinely look forward to again and such a simple way for me to look after both my mental and physical wellbeing. Mental health has always been something close to my heart, both through my own life and the people around me. I’m also studying Community Services, which has only grown my passion for mental health awareness, support and making conversations around it feel a little less difficult. So when I came across One Foot Forward, it felt like a really meaningful way to combine something I love with something I care deeply about. This October, I’ll be walking 40km for Black Dog Institute — for awareness, for connection, and for anyone who’s ever needed a little more support. One foot forward. One step at a time. 🧡 Share