Ben has called on automotive people to come together, look out for one another and reach out for support, so no-one has to face loneliness alone.
Research shows millions of people across the UK experience loneliness, yet many never speak about it and Ben’s latest insights found 31% of automotive workers have experienced loneliness. These figures suggest loneliness, isolation and emotional pressure remain significant challenges for people, especially across the automotive sector.
From running businesses and managing teams to long working hours, financial worries and everyday pressures, many people in the industry are carrying on without the friendships, support networks and sense of community help make life more manageable and enjoyable.
Now, Ben is encouraging automotive people to build community in the everyday, by checking in on a colleague, starting an honest conversation and reaching out when things feel heavy.
From speaking to and supporting automotive people every day, Ben has found many are looking for more meaningful human connection beyond purely transactional or professional relationships. They want somewhere to connect with like-minded people, share successes, exchange ideas, navigate challenges together, support one another, make friends and give back to the wider automotive family. And when connection alone is not enough, Ben’s free and confidential helpline is here, every day, for anyone who needs to talk.
Earlier this month, Ben took its pop-up pub concept, The Benevolent, to the UK Garage & Bodyshop Show at the Birmingham NEC. The idea was simple: give people the chance to stop, talk and connect over a drink, a quiz or a game of darts. It also made a serious point. In busy workshops, showrooms and forecourts, the everyday moments to check in with one another are being lost. As the charity for the automotive sector, Ben wanted to shine a light and is now looking at how to create the space, in person and online, for automotive people to talk and look out for each other.
Ellen Plumer, Head of Awareness & Experience at Ben, said: “The Benevolent really struck a chord at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Show. People told us, again and again, how much it meant to have somewhere to stop, talk honestly and feel part of something. That response is shaping our thinking. This Loneliness Awareness Week, we want to keep the conversation going, and we would love automotive people to get involved and hear more about our plans: www.ben.org.uk/community.”
