‘Chatty bus’ connects people on World Mental Health Day

A ‘chatty bus’ aimed at connecting people and tackling loneliness took to the road to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Go NorthWest buses teamed up with local mental health charity Rochdale and District Mind to launch the North West’s first-ever bus of its kind.

The initiative aimed to tackle loneliness and spark conversations about mental health along the 471 bus route, which runs through Bolton, Bury, Heywood, and Rochdale.

Staff from both Go NorthWest and Rochdale Mind donned special “chatty bus champion” jumpers, inviting passengers to engage in more than just the usual brief exchanges. The goal was to create meaningful conversations during the ride, offering passengers the chance to connect with others.

Research highlights that one in three people admit to using the bus for social interaction, with some individuals going an entire week without speaking to anyone close to them.

By encouraging passengers to talk, the chatty bus aimed to ease isolation and provide a space for mental health conversations.

Paula Hall, fundraiser for Rochdale and District Mind, said: “We had around 150 passengers who chatted to the champions, giving them the confidence to open up and chat with someone that they wouldn’t normally speak to.”

She explained how the initiative worked, saying: “On the bus, passengers were given a friendly greeting of ‘Hello, how are you?’ which then opened up conversations, leading to more meaningful and thought-provoking discussions.”

Passengers expressed their gratitude for the initiative, with feedback including: “It’s been a lovely experience to talk to someone who cares.” 

Following the overwhelmingly positive response, Go NorthWest and Rochdale Mind are planning to run the Chatty Bus again in the new year, with hopes to expand the initiative to other regional areas.

For more information, contact Paula Hall at: paulahall@rochdalemind.org.uk