Video diaries explore Walsall cabbie wellbeing

Walsall Creative Development team decided to look at the lifestyles and habits of the 1,500 male licensed cab drivers in the area. A similar project some years ago looked at lorry drivers’ health, with some success.

The team realised that the health and wellbeing of cab drivers impacted on a much larger group of people. For example, many cabbies in the area provide for extended families and are an important link in the community.

Initially, not much was known about the cabbies. This was partly because, in many cases, their interaction with people outside of their families was only brief.

Several local drivers took part in the research phase of the project. They kept a video diary of their working day, reporting on:

• what they ate
• how much sleep they took
• how they were feeling
• what they had been up to when not working.

Video diaries

The footage revealed some general lifestyle trends – namely, a lack of exercise and eating junk food late at night.

On an emotional level:

• many cabbies had financial worries
• many were sad about the lack of time spent at home with their children
• some felt isolated during their shifts when work was quiet.

Film project

An actor and film-maker are preparing a script based on the drivers' diaries. The aim of this work is to show how small changes can be made to their daily lives to overcome some of the health issues raised.

The film will be shown to groups of drivers. A month later, they will be interviewed to see if they have implemented any of the suggestions made in the film. They will then be asked if they have noticed a difference.

Companies will also be invited to take part in a Healthy Workplace scheme to help their drivers review their lifestyles.

Contact

Kim Fuller, Creative Development team
Walsall Council
telephone: 01922 653 114
email: fullerk@walsall.gov.uk