Once a week, women aged 60 and older from diverse backgrounds meet at the Volkspark. What began as an exercise program has since grown into a close-knit community. In addition to walking together, the group focuses on socializing, shared activities and outings, as well as mutual support.

The running group is led by Zakia Amallah, community nurse for Bretzenheim, Drais, Lerchenberg, and Marienborn. Since November 2025, she has also been responsible for intercultural senior services. In this role, she supports the participants and works with them to develop programs that combine exercise, health, and social participation.

During her visit, Jana Schmöller spoke with the participants about their experiences and what the group means to them personally.

“This is about so much more than just exercise”

“What has developed here over the past three years really moves me. When women come together week after week to walk, laugh, share stories, and be there for one another, something emerges that goes far beyond exercise. A sense of community is created,” says Jana Schmöller, Director of Social Services.

Such low-barrier programs are especially important for older people: They promote health and independence, foster social connections, and help combat loneliness.

“Each participant brings her own life story, her experiences, and her culture. It’s precisely this diversity that makes the group so valuable. Here, community is lived out—and with it, participation and integration in the best sense of the word,” says Schmöller.

Community Nurse Plus: Programs That Reach People

The walking group is supported as part of the “Community Nurse Plus” program. This initiative, offered by the state capital of Mainz, is administered by the Office of Social Services and is aimed at older adults who do not yet require long-term care but who seek advice and support for leading a self-determined life in their later years.

The “Community Nurse Plus” professionals take the time to listen and offer advice on everyday issues—such as mobility, home modifications, or loneliness. They provide information about exercise, social, and cultural activities and help connect people with appropriate resources. Home visits are also available upon request.

However, these professionals do not provide care themselves. If support from a nursing or care service is needed, they connect individuals with care support centers and other appropriate services.

An important part of the work is also listening closely to what older adults in the community need. The insights gained from these conversations inform the further development of existing services and the creation of new ones.

“For me, ‘Community Nurse Plus’ means observing, listening, and finding solutions together. The walking group is a wonderful example of how a need can give rise to a program that brings people together and benefits them,” emphasizes Schmöller.

Health in Old Age: Event in German and Arabic

The topic of health also plays an important role in intercultural senior care. On November 22, 2026, a health event on the topic of “Mental Health in Later Life” will take place at the Islamic Cultural Association (IKV Mainz e. V.).

The event is aimed specifically at older adults and will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in German and Arabic. The goal is to make information about mental health in later life as accessible as possible, regardless of language barriers.

A Strong Community

The development of the walking group shows just how important personal connections are in old age. Regular exercise has fostered a community that motivates one another, plans shared activities, and supports one another even outside of the weekly meetings.

“I would like to sincerely thank the women for their openness, their dedication, and the warmth with which they lead this group. They demonstrate just how much strength lies in community. I hope that many more older women will discover and experience opportunities like this for themselves: I am not alone—I belong.”

The “Gemeindeschwester plus” program is offered throughout the city of Mainz and is funded by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Women, Family, and Youth of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, supplemented by municipal funds. The goal is to enable older adults to live independently in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible.