Country's biggest training provider pledges to have mental health first aiders

05 April 2023 , 17:49

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Practical - Learners under instruction at a Phoenix centre

Mental health has been much in the news of late.

The short and longer-term effects of the pandemic and the lockdowns are still being studied, but all the evidence suggests it has added to an already increasing problem.

A staggering one in four people in England will experience a mental health issue in any given year, with one in six reporting a problem each week, according to charity MIND.

Around 90% of motorcyclists in the UK are men and the activity can often have stereotypical “macho” connotations.

But, of course, bikers, both men and women, are just as likely to be affected by these issues as anyone else.

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Classroom - gaining knowledge

Taking all of this into account, the country’s biggest motorcycle training provider, Phoenix, in conjunction with charity Mental Health Motorbike, has undertaken to provide accredited mental health first aiders at all of its 22 centres.

They will deliver motorcycle training from CBTs and full-licence to advanced post-licence training.

Wellbeing - Each of Phoenix's centres will have accredited mental health first aiders

The aim is to ensure the wellbeing of students and staff, create a supportive environment and provide dedicated spaces where people can go to talk in confidence with someone who understands their needs.

This will benefit not only the next generation of motorcyclists just embarking on their riding journey, but also experienced riders attending advanced rider training.

Practice - Make perfect...

CEO of Phoenix, Mark Jaffe, told Mirror Motorcycling: “As the UK’s largest motorcycle training school, we can see the massive benefit to new and current riders of having access to mental health first aiders in all of our locations.

“As instructors and bikers, we know that riding motorcycles helps promote good mental health, and through this additional training enabling us to do even more, and the brilliant work of Mental Health Motorbike, we realise we can make a difference to riders old and new.”

Real world - On-the-road training

BMW voted Number One.

Almost 90,000 bike enthusiasts enjoyed Motorcycle Live at Birmingham’s NEC in November.

BMW did the double, taking both Best Manufacturer Stand and Manufacturer Giving The Best Customer Experience.

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Its stand included the full range of bikes, including the dynamic new S 1000 RR, the M 1000 R and the M 1000 RR.

And the interactive Make Life A Ride arena showcased new models alongside the talents of the World of BMW activity partners.

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Retailer Helmet City took the top spot in the Non-Manufacturer Giving The Best Customer Experience category.

Fraser Addecott