The Intermediary – May 2025 - Flipbook - Page 69
B RO K E R B U S I N E S S
Opinion
Breaking the silence,
one step at a time
T
he mortgage industry
isn’t oen associated
with hiking boots,
water boles, and canal
towpaths – but that’s
exactly what’s helped
bring a growing number of industry
professionals together to tackle one
of our sector’s most pressing but
Over six days,
a determined group
of circa 50 industry
professionals laced up
our boots to walk the
Grand Union Canal from
Birmingham to London”
You can
donate here
overlooked issues: mental health.
The Walk & Talk initiative, founded
under the umbrella of the Mortgage
Industry Mental Health Charter
(MIMHC), is a simple concept with
a powerful purpose. Over six days, a
determined group of circa 50 industry
professionals laced up our boots to
walk the Grand Union Canal from
Birmingham to London, covering over
140 miles to raise awareness around
mental health and to encourage open
conversations across our sector.
JASON BERRY
is co-founder of the Mortgage
Industry Mental Health Charter
Why walking?
There’s something disarming
about side-by-side movement that
encourages conversation. Without the
intensity of face-to-face dialogue, and
with the rhythm of footsteps, people
feel more comfortable opening up.
During these walks, I’ve seen
competitors become confidantes,
colleagues check in with each other
in new ways, and meaningful chats
unfold, all of which would never have
happened in an office or on a Zoom
call. We’ve heard time and again from
brokers, lenders, and support staff
that, while the mortgage world is
fast-paced and rewarding, it can also
be lonely, high-pressured, and allconsuming.
Through initiatives like Walk
& Talk, we’re not just promoting
physical wellbeing – we’re creating
psychologically safe spaces that foster
connection, resilience, and support.
What’s especially heartening is the
variety of people geing involved.
From CEOs and network directors to
admin staff and compliance teams,
the canal path has proven to be a
great leveller. You don’t need to be an
experienced walker or in peak fitness.
You just need to be willing to show up,
put one foot in front of the other, and
be open to conversation.
In the moment
Throughout the journey we also
stopped to capture photos – not just
Competitors to confidantes: Bringing the industry together
to document the miles travelled, but
to reflect the genuine spirit of the
initiative: people smiling, talking,
occasionally geing soaked by spring
showers, and crucially, connecting.
These images, some here, and
others shared on The Intermediary’s
online coverage, speak volumes about
the power of community.
Stronger together
I’d like to thank every individual
and organisations that supported the
event – whether by joining the walk,
sponsoring a team, or simply sharing
their story. Your involvement helps
demonstrate that in our industry
mental health maers – and we are
stronger when we walk together, talk
together, and look out for one another.
If you missed this year’s walk, don’t
worry – the path doesn’t end here.
We’ll be back with more events, and
we invite everyone to join us.
Because sometimes the most
important step you take isn’t
towards a client or deadline – it’s
towards a conversation that could
change a life. ●
May 2025 | The Intermediary
67
