Driver Wellbeing Resources

You might have heard that today is sometimes known as "Blue Monday". This term was originally used by travel agents to nudge people into booking holidays. It reflects how the bad weather (and lack of sunlight) in a UK winter can make people feel, particularly at the point when December's payday is a distant memory. This year, it might seem even more appropriate, given the additional challenges we've all been facing since 2020, but we think Blue Monday is actually a red herring.

That's because depression doesn't care what day, week or month it is. People need support at any time of the year, which is why our charity partners at Mind have a comprehensive set of resources available for those affected by depression today, and every day.

We also have our NextGen LeasePlan Community which was originally created to help our colleagues and their families with homeworking but is now open to customers as well. As the pandemic has gone on, we've added more and more content around exercise programmes, healthy eating, learning new skills, dealing with stress and finding ways to connect, including an integrated social network. You don't have to pay to use it and you can get involved as much, or as little, as you want.

We'd also like to highlight the CALM driver campaign. CALM stands for the 'Campaign against living miserably' and they have teamed up with National Highways and Driving for Better Business to create a selection of helpful resources for UK-based fleets. You can find out more about it here.

There are many more resources available too. So, whatever you're struggling with, or whoever in your life needs help, we hope you can find something that gives you the support you need:

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  Our charity partner Mind for general mental health support: 0300 123 3393
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  BEN – the UK’s only specialist charity for people who work in the motoring industry (and their families) offers financial and emotional support
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  CALM Driver Scheme – in partnership with Campaign Against Living Miserably, Highways England and Driving for Better Business (DfBB)
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  Samaritans (available 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk): Freephone 116 123
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  Cruse Bereavement Care (support with bereavement): 0808 808 1677
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  Money Advice Service (free and impartial money advice): 0800 138 7777
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  National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
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  NHS 111 (general health advice): Freephone 111
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  Relate (support with relationships): 0300 003 0396