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They know their way around the junctions of the M25 but now the UK’s van driver community are celebrating their diverse and unique stories in an equally diverse and unique way - they have come together to launch the world’s first poetry book, Poetry in Motion, written exclusively by van drivers.

Our research found that nearly three quarters of van drivers (71%) have felt judged or underestimated and two thirds (66%) believed people think van drivers aren’t educated.

But this representation is far from the truth. Our research also revealed van drivers are actually a thoughtful, intelligent and emotionally connected bunch - with over six in 10 (64%) enjoying going for long walks, a third (34%) practising mindfulness and a quarter regularly tuning into the Today programme or The Archers.

To dispel van driver stereotype as outdated and past its sell-by-date, we partnered with poet and spoken word artist, George the Poet to publish Poetry in Motion: an anthology of poems from van drivers about life on the road.

Entries for the Poetry in Motion book have been chosen from a nationwide search for the UK’s most poetic van driver, with poets including sole traders, small business owners and tradesmen.

Dave Haworth, 59, an electrician from Southampton, is one of the van driver poets whose poem ‘Here Lies’, a heartfelt ode to van life, features in the book. It reads:

For here lies the laughter,

Here lies the life,

Where there’s no bigger tool than your mates.

I’ve learned it’s less about WHAT takes the ride,

More about WHO is inside.

For it don’t so much matter ’bout the man in the van,

More, it’s the van in the man.

Travelling to Dave’s workplace in a Mercedes-Benz eVito, George the Poet met with the electrician to find out what inspired his poem.

Dave said: “I love my job and what makes it brilliant is the people I work with, the fellow van drivers.
 

“My dad was also an electrician and a van driver. He taught me everything; how to drive, my career. He’s sadly passed but I’ll always have the memories of driving around with him in his van. It makes me sentimental just thinking about it.~
 

He added: “Through Poetry in Motion, Mercedes-Benz Vans are letting our voices be heard and challenging us to tap into our emotional side - which is sometimes difficult for blokes like me.”

Rochelle Carrey, 33, co-owner of BoujeeBoxes, a florist and event design firm based in Manchester, also submitted a poem called ‘Our Flower Powered Van’.
 

“We consider ourselves to be pioneers within the industry, redefining outdated stereotypes surrounding the floral and events industries. Our van is a perfect representation of that which is why we wrote our poem.

“Run by three business women, BoujeeBoxes tries to lead the way in diversity, working with an array of different cultures to produce the best ideas and freshest installations. With its unique design and modern styling, our van truly is the best reflection of that.”

Mercedes-Benz Vans’ has a range of vehicles that continues to keep businesses moving efficiently and sustainably. Visit our electric van page here.