Coach operator Aircoach has linked up with charity Inspire to boost passengers’ mental health and wellbeing ahead of Time to Talk Day on 1 February.
Via its Wellbeing on Wheels initiative, the airport transfer specialist will offer a range of short courses, toolkits and advice for passengers on the 705X route between Derry/Londonderry and Belfast International Airport/Dublin to read or complete en route.
As well as reading advice on issues including mental health, alcohol, drugs, gambling, debt, loneliness, and building resilience, customers will be able to scan a QR code on board to find out more via the websites of Inspire Wellbeing and Aircoach.
Kim Swan, Managing Director of Aircoach, says: “Wellbeing on Wheels came about because, with so many of our Aircoach journeys and routes starting and ending at airports, we frequently see passengers grappling with a wide variety of emotions when boarding and disembarking our coaches.
“Also, we know conversations between passengers, who are often strangers, can see people opening up to each other about things that are happening in their lives.
“Ensuring our passengers are looked after is a key value for Aircoach, and we wanted to see if we could find a way to help passengers combat any negative feelings or worries.
“We approached Inspire because as a leading charity, it is known for its commitment to helping people improve their wellbeing. Together we realised we had a captive audience on board, with fewer draws on their attention than at other times in their lives, and so the idea to enable them to turn their travel time into self-care time with Wellbeing on Wheels was born.”
Time to Talk Day is a UK-wide initiative run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with Co-op, aimed at inspiring conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
Kerry Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Wellbeing, says: “As people across Ireland are starting conversations about mental health on Time to Talk Day, we are delighted to be launching Wellbeing on Wheels, in partnership with Aircoach, to encourage passengers to build a little wellbeing into their journey.”
Aircoach, which runs most of its services in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, entered the England market last September with a service between Leicester and Birmingham airport.
