Wellbeing event held to coincide with National Lorry Week

03 November 2023

Following a similar event last year, North Northamptonshire Council teamed up with partners last week to host a wellbeing event for HGV drivers who use the Welcome Break Rothwell Truck Stop.

The previous event received national recognition with the work being Highly Commended at the MJ Awards and the team have built on this success with this year’s event.

Officers from NNC’s Public Health, Community Wellbeing and Environmental Health teams were joined by representatives from the Road Haulage Association, Action for Happiness, the University of Northampton who offered health tests, Kettering Mind and Welcome Break.

Once again, there was a high level of engagement from drivers and the team are now looking to how other truck stops could get on board and support an even larger event next year to continue to support the health and wellbeing of drivers.

Feedback showed that drivers welcomed the support of their health and wellbeing, but still felt like a lot more can be done, with one driver saying he had not seen anything like the event in his 40 years of driving. Everyone agreed that truck stops are a good point of contact to help get drivers healthy and focussed on wellbeing.

The previous events we have held have been really well received with recognition on a national stage but also, importantly, amongst the lorry driving community. It gives the team an opportunity to engage with drivers and have some valuable conversations with them. 

Last week’s event was once again popular and teaming up with partners means that those attending events like this can speak to a variety of people on lots of different topics all in one place, which we hope will help continue to make a real difference to their lives.Cllr Helen Harrison, the council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

I am pleased that this excellent work is continuing and it is great to hear that as well as supporting residents across North Northants, Officers are spreading their skills and knowledge further and helping those passing through the area.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

As part of their work, NNC Officers have also written a guest blog for PTSD UK on tackling Post-traumatic Stress Disorder amongst HGV drivers.