Walk for Calm 2021 - Launches on #WorldSuicidePreventionDay2021
Craig Prentice - Director and Founder of mum
Having worked in hospitality always, I’ve been used to longs hours, late finishes and high-pressure environments.
Particularly when I worked in operations the days and nights flew by so fast; looking back I clearly neglected myself and my own wellbeing.
Mental health were two words that meant very little to me up until a few years ago, and it was only when I lost two close family members that I found myself gripped with grief and anxiety that I really experienced it first-hand, realising why it was so critical to take a step back – to allow myself time to process, reflect and reset.
With the support of those around me, I was lucky enough to be able to ease my way back into the life I love, starting my own business, and channelling my energy into causes that had become more important to me than ever.
In 2020, I founded Walk For Calm, an event designed to promote wellbeing in our industry and profile the work of two amazing charities Hospitality Action and CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably), a leading movement against suicide.
This is another cause so close to my heart, as I have sadly personally experienced the devastation of losing someone close to me through suicide. As the single most prevalent killer of men under 45 in the UK, and the cause of 18 deaths every single day, we must do everything we can to campaign for better awareness, better understanding, and striving prevent the impact of suicide in any way we can.
Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we launch Walk for Calm 2021 and again invite you to join us by signing up, supporting, sharing, or donating if you are able to.
Hospitality Action and CALM do incredible work all year round.
Through Walk for Calm, we are raising funds to help ensure they can continue to offer their services to anyone who needs them, for any reason, at any time.
We also encourage you to check in with old friends, reach out for a coffee to those who may have been through difficult times, or simply challenge yourself to get out in the fresh air and give you the time and headspace you need.
Please do support Walk for Calm 2021 however you can - we appreciate your involvement in any way you can offer it, from sharing our event on social media channels to simply telling your friends and colleagues about this amazing event and the causes it will support.
And in the meantime, as the industry is back and busier than ever, don’t forget to take a moment for yourself when you get the chance, and reach out for help if you need it.
Hospitality is the biggest family in the world, and we are here for each other, always!
