Moto Hospitality has joined forces with Mind and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to launch a ‘cabversation’ campaign today (18 September) to encourage HGV drivers to talk to one another when taking a break at its service stations.

The launch, which is supported by the RHA, comes as research shows that in the transport and storage sector an estimated 41% of ill health is caused by work-related stress, depression or anxiety.

To launch the #cabversation campaign, HGV drivers are being encouraged to use the 60 talking benches installed at Moto service stations across the UK, which provide a physical space for HGV drivers to start a ‘cabversation’ with one another.

Website articles, social media content and digital signage at Moto sites across the country, will also encourage HGV drivers to connect and share how they are feeling with others.

The campaign will utilise expertise from Mind and SAMH to provide HGV drivers with the tools to connect with others, while taking a break at Moto service stations.

The campaign follows the recent launch of a partnership between Moto Foundation, the charitable arm of Moto Hospitality, mental health charity Mind and SAMH.

The partnership will run for five years and aims to raise £1.25m, to enable Mind and SAMH to continue to provide support services, and campaign for the one in four people that will experience a mental health problem every year.

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.

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“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.”

Mind chief executive, Sarah Hughes, said: “Through this campaign, we’ll be able to encourage HGV drivers, many of whom have expressed feelings of loneliness while on the roads, to connect with each other. This is important as connecting with others can help improve our mental wellbeing and create a sense of belonging.

"This is crucial as the pandemic has had a devastating effect on the nation’s mental health, especially for those of us with existing mental health problems, and the cost-of-living crisis is only making matters worse.”

Billy Watson, SAMH chief executive, said: “We know times are tough, and people working in isolated roles sometimes feel like they have to face mental health problems alone.

"This campaign is hoping to change that for HGV drivers by creating opportunities to make links and start meaningful conversations. Connecting with others can bring so many benefits to our mental health and wellbeing, and I’d like to thank Moto Hospitality for helping to support that.”

Richard Smith, RHA managing director, added: “We’d encourage truckers to use these facilities and talk to each other because driving lorries can be a very solitary job.”

“Many people suffer with loneliness and anxiety when they’re away from home, which is why it can make such a difference to stay connected with support networks and make new ones.”

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