Walk for Wellbeing 2022 open for sign-ups in support of Hospitality Action

Walk for Wellbeing (previously known as Walk for Calm) is inviting the hospitality industry to join its campaign to promote better mental health and raise funds to support Hospitality Action.

Walk for Wellbeing is designed as a fun, flexible event all about taking simple steps to promote wellbeing. Participants are encouraged to treat each walk as a chance to spend time in the fresh air, reflect and energise.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Hospitality Action has taken strides to support as many hospitality people as possible. It has spent £2.3m supporting over 7,000 hospitality households in crisis. Many of those face life-threatening illness, homelessness, domestic abuse, or addiction, often accompanied by crippling mental health.

The hospitality industry is invited to put on their walking shoes and join a ‘take part any time’ challenge between 8 – 16 October, encompassing World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Four 20km hosted Walk for Wellbeing events will take place in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow, on Sunday 16 October.

London’s hosted walk will take place at the Royal Parks and include Hyde Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens. Beginning and ending at the Achilles Statue, sights will include the Serpentine Bridge, the Round Pond, Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill and will be hosted by hospitality recruitment firm mum.

The Birmingham route begins and ends in Digbeth, the city’s creative quarter, and will take in street art and some of the city’s green spaces. Highlights of the route include Birmingham’s historic canals and Edgbaston Reservoir. The walk will be hosted by local hospitality recruitment agency, Tonic Talent.

Manchester’s route takes in the northern section of the Sandstone Trail, beginning in Frodsham and ending at Beeston Castle. Participants will pass through woodland trails such as Dunsdale Hollow, Ridgeway Wood and Delamere Forest Park. The route is hosted by the Manchester Hotelier’s Association.

The Glasgow route, which will be hosted by DAM, begins in Clydebank and ends at Moss O’Balloch Park. Sights on the route include Bowling Harbour, which has its own small beach and woodland area, as well as the River Leven, which is known for its Salmon & Trout fishing, and the River Clyde. Other sights will include the Meadow Leisure Centre and Millburn Park in Alexandria.

The events are accessible to all ages and abilities, regardless of fitness level. Those looking to participate are able to do so in their own way, individually or as part of a group by signing up via the Walk for Wellbeing website here

Craig Prentice, founder of mum and Walk for Wellbeing, said: “This year’s event is the perfect opportunity for people to show up and walk the walk across the UK. Sign up as an individual, or walk with family, friends, or work colleagues. Let’s make a difference together.”

Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, added: “Walk for Wellbeing not only helps employers foster a positive culture around workplace mental health, but it will also raise vital funds at a critical time for the hospitality industry. Demand for Hospitality Action’s support is at an all-time high and we estimate that a third of all the requests for financial assistance we currently receive are from people suffering from, or at risk of, poor mental health. We expect the situation to worsen as the cost-of-living crisis bites in the autumn and are grateful to all those taking part in Walk for Wellbeing.”

Walk for Wellbeing is powered by mum in partnership with Caterer.com, Davidson Asset Management (DAM) and The Caterer. The campaign is also supported by Sean Wheeler Consulting, Lexington Catering, Tonic Talent, The Manchester Hoteliers Association and The Relationship.

Click here to register for the Walk for Wellbeing 2022