What if Wales measured success differently?

Not by GDP alone, but by the wellbeing of people, communities, and the planet. Not by extraction, but by regeneration. Not by competition, but by connection.

This isn’t just a thought experiment – it’s a wellbeing economy. And Wales is ready to lead the way.

Why we’re walking

This walk is a listening journey.

For five days, we’re walking 150km through the heart of South Wales, from Barry’s waterfront to Swansea’s bay, to ask one simple question: What does a wellbeing economy mean to the people who live here?

We’re not coming with answers, we’re coming to listen, and to gather the voices of people and places across South Wales.

Why Now?

Wales stands at a crossroads. Economic models that served the 20th century are fracturing. Communities know it. Workers feel it. Families live it.

But something else is stirring: a readiness for change.

Recent research identified six citizen archetypes across Wales – from Maya the educator to Neil the former steelworker – each with distinct concerns, hopes, and visions for economic transformation. This walk brings that research to life. We’re meeting these voices where they are, walking the landscapes they inhabit, understanding what wellbeing economy means in their lived reality.

From Path to Policy

It’s all very well to organise a conference, but most people don’t attend conferences.  That’s why we’re setting out on foot to meet people where they live, in the landscapes and communities of Wales.

And everything we learn feeds directly into the Wellbeing Economy Cymru Festival of Ideas on Wednesday 12th November in Swansea. That’s where walk participants, policymakers, community leaders, and changemakers come together to ask: What comes next?

How You Fit In

You don’t need to be an economist or activist to get involved. You just need to care about what kind of Wales we’re building.

Join us for a full day, a few hours, or a post-walk gathering. Walk in silence or dive into conversation. Bring your questions, your expertise, your uncertainty.

Because with every step, and every conversation, we’re walking towards a wellbeing economy.