Moto Hospitality has teamed up with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and Mind to promote better mental health and wellbeing amongst commercial vehicle drivers.
Its new #cabversation campaign encourages commercial vehicle drivers to use the 60 talking benches installed at Moto service stations across the UK to connect and talk to one another.
Website articles, social media content and digital signage at Moto sites across the country, will also encourage drivers to connect and share how they are feeling with others.
While the campaign talks of HGV drivers, it aims to support all commercial drivers who use the UK’s road networks. An estimated 41% of ill health is caused by work-related stress, depression or anxiety in the transport and storage sector.
The campaign will also draw on expertise from Mind and SAMH to support drivers, following a partnership signed on 1 July 2022 with Moto Foundation, the charitable arm of Moto Hospitality. The partnership runs for five years and aims to raise £1.25m to support the organisations’ work, while also driving awareness and opening up conversations about mental health among Moto’s colleagues and customers.
SAMH operates an Information Service and over 70 services in communities across Scotland, with support ranging from mental health social care to employment and addictions services, while Mind provides a helpline and peer support communities across England and Wales.
Some of the money raised will also go towards the Local Mind Grants Fund (LMGF). This fund supports local Mind organisations to deliver mental health projects and services in their communities.
Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan said: “We are enormously proud to have partnered with Mind and SAMH to launch our cabversation campaign to help with a key issue that HGV drivers across the nation face every day on the UK’s road network.
“The campaign will provide HGV drivers visiting our sites with the vital knowledge and means to connect with one another while taking a relaxing break at Moto service areas.
“Meaningful moments of connection are crucial to promoting better mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing drivers with the emotional support they need. We hope that our campaign will allow HGV drivers to take the time to connect with others and talk.”
