Taxi drivers in Blackburn and Darwen are being encouraged to ask their passengers about their health as part of a new project.

Thirty-four cabbies in the borough have successfully completed the ‘Making Every Contact Count’ (MECC) training with the Inspire Motivate Overcome (IMO) charity. 

The project aims to empower taxi drivers to discuss key health topics like diabetes, smoking and health checks with their passengers. The aim is to encourage health awareness in the community.

Taxi driver, Ashraf Mangera, said: “I am really proud to be part of this project. It’s amazing to think that during my daily rides, I can make a difference in someone’s life by sharing health tips and information.

"We spend a lot of time with our passengers, and now we can support them in taking care of their health.”

Some of the taxi-drivers who took part in the training

Dr Haroon Moosa is a GP and West primary care network clinical director at Blackburn with Darwen.

He said: “This initiative is a fantastic step towards creating a healthier community. Taxi drivers are often a first point of contact for many individuals, and their training will undoubtedly help bridge the gap in health communication. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on our residents.”

IMO said it will be delivering similar training sessions to taxi drivers in Pendle and Rossendale.

IMO CEO, Mohammed Sidat said: “We are committed to enhancing community health through innovative partnerships. By empowering taxi drivers as health champions, we are not only improving individual health outcomes but also strengthening community ties.

“This initiative is an excellent example of how everyday interactions can lead to significant health improvements.”