The UK’s Kindest Town’ Initiative by Mandata and the RHA

    Leading transport management software provider Mandata and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) are running and inspirational campaign –The UK’s Kindest Town.

    Together, they want to create a more positive experience for HGV drivers on the roads and at delivery centres. To accomplish this, they’re encouraging individuals, businesses, and organisations in local towns to show acts of kindness, compassion, and community spirit towards drivers. Ultimately, the aim is to promote mental health awareness across the UK’s road haulage industry and to have a positive impact on drivers’ mental and emotional well-being.

    Lorry drivers play a critical role in delivering just about every consumable item required to keep the economy going. They often spend long hours on the road. It’s a demanding job, and many drivers experience loneliness being away from their families and loved ones, often for extended periods.

    How participation works

    • Road haulage business owners, traffic planners, and HGV drivers are invited to vote for their favourite towns, specifically those where they have experienced kindness.
    • They complete a brief questionnaire covering various criteria of their experiences in these towns, including Access to amenities, Parking, and Kindness of the local people during individual interactions or on the town’s surrounding roads.
    • Entries can be submitted via https://www.mandata.co.uk/kindtown/ until midnight on 14 July.

    Great prizes to be won

    • Participants stand a chance to win a £2,500 holiday voucher or a weekly (individual) £100 Amazon voucher.
    • In addition, HGV drivers can compete for a £500 Amazon voucher by crafting creative social media posts that spotlight their chosen town.
    • The winning town will be announced on 25 July 2023 and will receive a prize package worth £10,000!
    • Announcements will be made across social media channels.

    Sandra Pretorius, Chief Marketing Officer at Mandata Group, said, “The search for the UK’s Kindest Town, as voted for by road hauliers, is all about reminding the public that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness towards HGV drivers can have a tremendous impact on not only their mental health, but on everyone who witnesses such kindness. Kindness begets kindness, but every chain reaction needs a spark. It is our hope that this campaign will be the inspiration that reignites random acts of kindness in towns across the country.”

    Richard Smith, Managing Director at the RHA said, “The RHA is thrilled to collaborate with Mandata on The UK’s Kindest Town campaign. By shining a light on the importance of demonstrating support towards HGV drivers, we hope to create a more compassionate attitude towards them and make a real difference in their lives. We are proud to support this initiative and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the industry and the wider community.”