Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Winner of the Mode Shift Month Awards – Healthcare Category

The Mode Shift Month Awards celebrate organisations that raise awareness of sustainable transport and deliver impactful activities during Mode Shift Month and World Car Free Day. In the Healthcare category, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust won for its standout Mode Shift Month Active Travel Exchange campaign.

Mode Shift Month as a Springboard

The Trust used Mode Shift Month as a springboard to launch a dedicated Active Travel campaign. At the same time, it introduced its Catch the Bus Month Travel to Work Incentive. Together, these initiatives encouraged staff to consider alternatives to driving.

The campaign aimed to ease traffic congestion at both hospital sites, cut carbon emissions and support a shift toward more sustainable travel choices. In addition, strong partnership working with local councils and transport providers helped bring the activities to life.

Active Travel Exchanges

A series of Active Travel Exchanges formed the heart of the campaign. The events began at Luton Point and continued across both hospital sites. They brought together a wide range of organisations, including Grant Palmer, Uno, Stagecoach, Mobilityways, GMP Drivercare and Arriva. Cycling UK also took part, promoting the Big Bike Revival and the Trust’s Making Cycling Easier e‑bike scheme.

Through these exchanges, staff explored smarter and healthier ways to travel. They learned about options such as buses, walking, cycling and car sharing, making sustainable travel feel more visible and achievable.

Staff Experiences

Jo Stanley, Sustainable Travel Plan Coordinator at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

‘My Mode Shift Month highlight was meeting the Grant Palmer ‘Jo’ Bus. This joint initiative between local councils and bus operators gave staff who normally drive the chance to claim free bus travel to work throughout September. Additionally, the Stride and Ride Autumn Challenge ran for four weeks across September and October. It encouraged staff to try new and more sustainable travel habits.’

Campaign Results

The campaign delivered clear, measurable outcomes:

• 60 staff members completed the Stride and Ride Autumn Challenge
• 22 staff members changed their commute and began travelling by bus

These results show how creative engagement, strong partnerships and practical incentives can inspire meaningful behaviour change and support healthier, lower‑carbon journeys.

Recognition

As a Mode Shift Month Awards winner, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was celebrated at the National STARS Summit in March 2026. The Trust’s work now stands as an example of best practice across the industry.