Housing professionals invited to join CIH president’s outdoor initiative for mental wellbeing

CIH president Julie Haydon has today launched Routes to Resilience, a UK and Ireland-wide outdoor initiative putting the principles of her Rooted in Resilience toolkit – launched under her presidential campaign in April this year – into practice.

The initiative encourages participants to spend a period of time outdoors during the working day: for a walk on their lunch break, spending five minutes in the garden before they log on, or taking a work call outdoors (a "walkie-talkie"). Small changes to daily routines can positively support wellbeing, and every step demonstrates a commitment to supportive and resilient workplace cultures.

While the official sector-wide initiative is set to take place on Wednesday 9 September, Routes to Resilience is open to housing organisations, local authorities and community partners to take part at whatever time and level suits them. Participants are encouraged to share how they're taking part with colleagues and on social media, with the hashtag #RoutestoResilience, helping to spread the message across the sector.

Explaining the initiative, Julie Haydon, CIH president, said: "Building resilience isn't just about what we do at our desks – it's about the everyday habits that support our wellbeing. Spending time outdoors, even briefly, can reduce stress, improve focus and support mental health.

"Whether that's taking a walking meeting, spending time outdoors during the working day or taking 10 minutes to hang out a washing, every organisation can get involved in a way that works for them."

Since its launch in October last year, the Rooted in Resilience campaign has encouraged housing professionals to move from a "survival mindset" to one built on learning, openness and collaboration. Routes to Resilience is the next step: turning those principles into simple, accessible action.

Further information on how to take part is available here.