Those members of Plankind who, like this Philosopher-in-Residence, are privileged enough to be classified as “geriatric millennials” in the latest demographic classifications, may remember the Word Association game in the Eighties TV classic Wacaday. The game was called “Mallett’s Mallet” and was introduced by host Timmy Mallett as “a word association game where you mustn't pause or hesitate, repeat a word or say a word I don't like, otherwise you get a bash on the head like this ..... or like this ...... . And it's the one with the most bruises who loses. Look at each other and go Blaaaaaah!”

Those outside the UK or outside the geriatric millennial age-group, before you quit reading and start worrying Make Me A Plan has randomly started advocating violence, said bash on head was with a soft toy style hot pink mallet called Pinky Punky – you can learn more/indulge in nostalgia by viewing at this link: https://www.timmymallett.co.uk/shop/

Anyhow, I hear you cry, what does any of this have to do with Cornwall (or philosophy)?

Recently, I was listening to the Chris Moyles show https://www.radiox.co.uk/radio/shows-presenters/chris-moyles/ all the famous peoples tagging and all the geriatric millennials references today) and Chris happened to be interviewing Timmy Mallett. I’d not realised that Timmy was an avid cyclist, artist, mental health and disabled rights campaigner these days and it was fascinating to learn that his latest mission involved cycling around Britain and Timmy was actually in Cornwall the week he was being interviewed.

I didn’t get chance to pop out and try and accost the utterly brilliant Timmy (if you know, you know) during his time in MMAP’s home turf but I did check out some of his website and social media and was touched and fascinated to learn that Timmy has undertaken several cycling challenges and likes to leave name tags in celebration of his brother Martin, who had Downs Syndrome.

This got me thinking about the word association Cornwall has, and also the challenges many don’t realise are faced by people or areas until something prompts you to learn a little more. Make Me A Plan has been talking about this in a number of our social and community projects over the past few years (read all about it here: https://www.makemeaplan.com/the-united-plandom/world-of-plankind/ and on our social media accounts), most notably our INvisAbility Project, which believes in everyone, everywhere, being equal and included.

If your word association of Cornwall is idyllic holiday resort, you should also know that this area experiences some of the poorest health outcomes and average wages in the country.

If your word association of invisibility is “superpower I’d like to have”, take a look at some of the work that Timmy, Make Me A Plan, or any other author of your choice has been doing when it comes to the topic of disability relations and think about what message you would be leaving on your physical or metaphorical travels about equality and inclusion.

We’d love to hear from you what you think.

Next fortnight, I’ll be musing On Pay, as we have recently celebrated our third anniversary of being a Real Living Wage Foundation employer (and are coming up to our first anniversary of winning their Living Wage Week Champion 2021 Award!)

Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this topic you’d like me to write about.

In the meantime,

Happy Planning

PS If you want some other free tips for your business life, check out the Working Well blog – out fortnightly on Wednesdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Productivity Expert, Penny Le Kelly. Browse the latest edition here:

https://www.makemeaplan.com/news/may-the-fourth-be-with-you/