Walking has many health and wellbeing benefits and when taken as a group activity these can be amplified, whilst also creating a movement. In my Presidential year I was keen to raise awareness of an issue that is a silent tragedy, suicide, and in particular the epidemic amongst men.
Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and the cause of 18 deaths every day. this is not OK.
This year, I will be walking 15 miles a day visiting key sites and landmarks on the way across London, exploring the themes of climate change, health and wellbeing, tackling inequalities and how planning can make a difference to outcomes for people and planet.
The route has been planned to highlight the issues we face, and their solutions. Whether nature-based solutions to climate change, the role of the cultural and historic environment in supporting wellbeing, community, and social enterprise as an alternative to corporates, and the links between planning and better health and wellbeing, there will be opportunities for shared learning and debate.
Starting in Basildon, we will be evaluating new towns fifty years’ on whilst also visiting Ebbsfleet to explore a Healthy New Town. We will be taking a route that weaves its way on both sides of the Thames, highlighting the contrasts between the rich and the poor, healthy life expectancy and the impacts of gentrification.
The charity I am supporting is the Campaign Against Living Miserably and I hope as many RTPI Members, friends and associates will donate in support of what Is going to be a physically and emotionally challenging journey.
With the support of our friends at The Planner who will be providing logistics with an electric van, we will be filming the walk as part of a wider documentary to be released in 2022, highlighting the role of planning as a force for good in tackling the challenges of our age.
I am inviting anyone who wishes to join me for a stage to walk, talk and raise awareness of the issues that we encounter as we make our way upstream. Through my work exploring the links between planning and mental health it is clear there is much more to know, and the experience of sharing will add to our community of practice in this area.
Join me. Together we are a movement.
To support the Campaign Against Living Miserably visit: www.justgiving.com/Timothy-David-Crawshaw
