Devon hospitality workers to take part in first Walk for Wellbeing

The annual fundraising event, organised by UK charity Hospitality Action, is coming to Devon for the first time, with a 15km walk across the Dartmoor landscape on Sunday, October 18.

The Devon event will be hosted by Dean Gunston, General Manager at Bovey Castle Hotel and Spa, and Richard Hassell, owner of Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa.

The event will provide an opportunity for people working across Devon’s hospitality industry to come together while raising money to support colleagues facing difficulties.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the very first Devon leg of Hospitality Action’s Walk for Wellbeing, joining Devon’s hospitality community together for an unforgettable walk across the stunning Dartmoor landscape, supporting wellbeing, connecting with colleagues, and raising vital funds for an incredible cause.”

The Devon walk will set off at 10am and is one of 15 events taking place around the UK during October.

Walk for Wellbeing was established in 2020, when the hospitality sector was facing the enormous challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The event has since become an annual opportunity for hospitality workers to reconnect, promote wellbeing and raise money for Hospitality Action’s support services. Last year, more than 1,400 people took part nationally, raising £170,000.

The charity provides support to people working in hospitality who are experiencing hardship, including financial difficulties and challenges affecting their mental health and wellbeing. This year’s event is being powered by hospitality talent and recruitment partner ‘mum’, in partnership with Caterer.com, HR in Hospitality, Imperial London Hotels and Nespresso.

Devon is one of three new locations joining the event this year, alongside Hampshire and Suffolk.

Participants can choose between 10km and 20km walks at locations across the country, with events beginning in Glasgow on Saturday, October 10, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

Walks will then take place in Liverpool and York on October 11, followed by Manchester and Devon on October 18. Newcastle will host the penultimate event on October 19, before the series concludes with walks in Birmingham, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Cornwall, Edinburgh, Hampshire, London and Suffolk on October 25.

Craig Prentice, creator of Walk for Wellbeing, said the event had grown significantly since its launch.

“What started as a simple way to bring people together during a difficult time for hospitality in 2020, six years on, it’s incredibly inspiring to see the event continue to grow each year and unite people across the country. The hospitality industry has always been powered by people, and people thrive when they feel connected. Walk for Wellbeing acknowledges the industry’s continued journey of resilience and reconnection and brings together individuals, teams and businesses to champion a positive conversation around wellbeing and celebrate personal connection and support across the industry.”

Organisers say every participant helps to strengthen the hospitality community while raising funds to support hospitality workers experiencing hardship. The event is also intended to give hospitality businesses an opportunity to boost morale and encourage colleagues to spend time together away from the workplace.

For those unable to attend one of the organised walks, a ‘Walk It Your Way’ option will run from World Mental Health Day on October 10 until October 25. Participants can choose their own route and distance and walk alone or with friends, family, colleagues or pets.

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.walkforwellbeing.org