Logistics UK is backing Driver Health Week (1-6 September) by shining a spotlight on the health and wellbeing challenges faced by professional drivers.

As part of the week-long event, the business group has been sharing guidance from contributors to its wellness hub Thrive on the practical steps drivers can take to improve their health and wellbeing.

Thrive contributors have also been circulating their expertise, with Callum Jordan, a Level 3 personal trainer, providing tips for motivation and nutrition, and Liam Swain, a physiotherapist, offering targeted exercises for hips and shoulders – perfect for those who spend much of the working day sitting down.

Simultaneously, Logistics UK is calling on the Government to prioritise improvement of the facilities available to professional drivers while out on the nation’s roads.

Drivers can spend many hours in their cabs, and while many enjoy the independence of working alone, there are limited opportunities to exercise, which can be compounded by a lack of nutritious food available while out on the road.

Logistics UK’s chief executive Ben Fletcher said: “It is drivers who ensure supermarkets shelves are stocked, hospitals equipped and businesses receive the goods they need to run their own operations. Drivers should not be taken for granted which is why it is essential there is a coordinated effort across industry and from policymakers to address the current variations in facilities available across the country and ensure proper support is in place so drivers and the UK economy can continue to thrive.”

Last year, Logistics UK launched Thrive, its dedicated online hub designed to support the health and wellbeing of logistics professionals, providing resources covering nutrition, fitness and sleep. Since its launch less than 12 months ago, the platform has welcomed over a million digital engagements, showing that the appetite for guidance is keen among professional drivers and their employers

“The success of Thrive shows how much having access to trusted guidance matters to logistics workers,” added Fletcher. “Thrive’s ethos, which aligns with the mission of Driver Health Week, is to show how making simple changes to behaviour such as preparing healthy packed lunches and increasing walking can have a big impact. However, we all know how hard it can be to change ingrained habits, so while these changes may seem small, it is important drivers know they have the backing of the sector behind them and are supported in making these changes that will improve their health and wellbeing.”

Logistics UK’s Thrive can be accessed here.