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Posted on the 6th May 2025 in PHTM News
GTR MANCHESTER CABBIES URGED TO TAKE A FREE 10 MINUTE COURSE THAT COULD SAVE A LIFE
The initiative is part of Shining a Light on Suicide, a campaign led by NHS Greater Manchester to break the stigma around suicide and make support easier to access.
With more than 200 lives lost to suicide in the region each year, the message is clear: suicide prevention is everyone’s business.
Greater Manchester is home to over 18,500 licensed taxi and private hire drivers, and since launching the training, uptake has continued to grow.
With thousands of daily interactions across the region, each one is an opportunity to make a difference. One Salford-based driver, Rob Berrisford, says the training has already changed how he sees his role: “even a small conversation can mean a lot to someone who’s having a tough time”.
Taxi and private hire drivers meet people in all sorts of situations, from regular customers to passengers they’ll only see once. These everyday interactions can sometimes be the moments when someone needs support the most.
That’s why licensing services and NHS Greater Manchester are working together to promote a free suicide awareness training course developed specifically for the trade by the Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA).
The training takes just 10 minutes, is available online, and includes a certificate of completion. It helps drivers learn how to:
Spot warning signs
Ask supportive, direct questions
Start a conversation with someone who may be in distress
Signpost to further support
TAKE THE TRAINING HERE: www.zerosuicidealliance.com/suicide-training-taxi
Dr Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer, NHS Greater Manchester, said: “Taxi and private hire drivers interact with a wide range of people every day in all sorts of circumstances; and this training offers a simple, effective way to help them feel more confident supporting someone who might be struggling.”
Dr Claire Iveson, consultant clinical psychologist and strategic lead, Zero Suicide Alliance, added: “We launched our suicide awareness training for taxi and private hire drivers after working with various people including drivers with lived experiences to develop the course, and the feedback has been incredibly positive."
David Lawrie, director NPHTA, stated: “For many people, taxi and private hire drivers can be their main form of social contact, which puts us in a unique position to spot any issues and point people towards the right support.
"We fully welcome this initiative as an extension of the safeguarding training already in place for all drivers. It’s free and shows our support for both the NHS and our communities."
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