UK charity Hospitality Action’s annual initiative, Walk for Wellbeing, expands into Cardiff and two further UK cities to mark its fifth and biggest year to date.
Originally created and powered by hospitality talent partner mum in partnership with Caterer.com, Lifetime Training, Peoplebank and Imperial Hotels London, Cardiff, Oxford and Liverpool will join the fundraising campaign this year, taking the number of host cities to eight.
From modest beginnings in 2020 with a small group of individuals strolling together in London, Walk for Wellbeing has since evolved into a national movement. A staple in the annual hospitality calendar, the event unites hundreds of hospitality companies and thousands of walkers from across the nation each taking proactive steps to improve their own wellbeing and support that of their colleagues. It’s also an opportunity for business leaders to foster camaraderie among employees and drive positive change in the communities they serve.
Everyone in the hospitality industry and beyond is invited to put on their walking shoes and come together for this enjoyable and flexible event to promote mental health and wellbeing while raising awareness and critical funds to support individuals and their families in the hospitality sector who are facing challenging times.
Eight hosted 20km walks will take place in key cities across the UK on Sunday 13 October in Cardiff, London, Oxford, Bath/Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Cardiff’s walk is hosted by The Cardiff Hoteliers Association and starts from The Parkgate Hotel at 10am, with registration beginning from 9:30am. The trail goes through Llandaff Fields, along the River Taff, through Bute Park and Sophia Gardens and the wide Pontcanna fields.
Those who can’t make that date can ‘Walk It Your Way’ at a location of their choice any time between World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October and Sunday 27 October. Designed with flexibility in mind, participants can choose a convenient time to embark on a long or short walk with family, friends, colleagues, and pets.
City Host Damien Martin, General Manager of The Parkgate Hotel, said; “Cardiff, with its dynamic hospitality scene and iconic attractions, is delighted join the Walk for Wellbeing as a brand-new city host. The enthusiasm and support from the local hospitality community has been remarkable, showcasing the importance of having the Walk for Wellbeing here. Cardiff is ready to come together to support Hospitality Action, making it a perfect addition to the already popular Walk for Wellbeing locations.”
At present, the leading cause of anxiety in the UK is financial worry and debt. Since the start of 2024, Hospitality Action has experienced record high calls to their helplines and grant applications, with the majority citing debt as the biggest trigger of anxiety leading to feelings of hopelessness and mental health issues.
Craig Prentice, Creator of Walk for Wellbeing, said: “There is an essential need for hospitality businesses industrywide to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their employees – our industry’s continued success relies on it. Walk for Wellbeing is a grassroots movement that promotes selfcare as well as encouraging good employment practises, and it’s rapidly gaining national prominence.
“Community is at the core of hospitality; Walk for Wellbeing connects people locally, raises awareness, educates, unites, nurtures and empowers our community. We invite everyone to join this movement across the UK.”
