Bus operators and mental health charity help tackle loneliness with Chatty Bus
1 month ago
Numerous passengers enjoyed sharing stories on board a bus service aimed at helping reduce loneliness and isolation in the community.
Volunteers from Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel operated its popular Chatty Bus initiative to support people during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Passengers on Oxford Bus Company’s 5A service enjoyed conversations and making new connections on the journeys between Oxford, Cowley Centre and Littlemore.
And in a further boost, Chatty Bus passengers, who wanted to continue socialising, benefitted from a £5 drinks voucher, which they enjoyed at the Restore Garden Café, which is part of the mental health charity’s community provision.
Chatty Bus was first launched in 2019 for anyone feeling lonely or isolated or who wants to meet others, and due to its popularity, the bus operators have delivered it ever since.
As people boarded the bus, the team of Chatty Bus Champions were on hand to help anyone seeking companionship. They also handed out information about travel and activities and provided encouragement and support where appropriate.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “Enhancing our partnership with Restore enabled us to provide even more support on Chatty Bus this week.
“Loneliness is an issue that affects many people in our community, and we remain committed to delivering our Chatty Bus initiative where we can to help make a difference.
“A lot of people engaged with our outreach this week and we’re pleased that we were able to help, particularly during Mental Health Awareness Week.”
According to a study by ComRes, carried out on behalf of Greener Journeys, one third of Britons admit that they catch the bus deliberately to have some human contact.
Meanwhile, two-thirds of bus users say services create strong community ties, and eight out of 10 know someone who depends on the service.
Chatty Bus is part of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel’s Oxford Bus Cares initiative. In 2022 parent company Go-Ahead Group signed the government’s Employers Pledge, committing to improving social connections and reducing levels of loneliness.