Marvin OnumonuSalford Licensing Service and Salford Public Health have teamed up to improve the health and safety of taxi and private hire drivers and their passengers.
As part of this, taxi and private hire drivers, vehicle owners and operators licensed with Salford City Council have been offered funded mental health first aid training and cardiovascular disease (CVD) health checks.
The partnership aims to increase mental health awareness among drivers, boost their confidence in discussing wellbeing issues and give guidance on how to support others and highlight available support services.
The CVD checks are set up to catch early signs of heart disease and provide information to help lower the risk of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
The scheme also aims to help people stay fit for work.
Councillor Mishal Saeed, executive support member for social care and mental health at Salford City Council, said: “As a City Council, we are fully invested in the health and wellbeing of everyone in Salford.
“That’s why it’s important that we support more people to live healthy lives for longer by promoting good physical and mental health.
“Taxi and private hire licensees deliver important transport services in our communities, to residents and visitors to the city, and supporting school transport.”
Saeed added: “We look forward to positively engaging with licensees, providing health checks and mental health training opportunities, helping to support them in the management of their own health as well as being able to support members of the public, thereby fostering a positive and supportive environment.”
