Ben transfers care homes in strategic review of charity’s operations

Motor industry charity Ben is to transfer its care home services to new operators as part of strategic review of the charity.

It plans to put more resources into its reactive and preventative health and well-being support services, which are in huge demand.

It said it had experienced a significant increase in service demand since 2018, managing over 300% more enquiries through its confidential helpline and supporting over 200% more individuals through its support and specialist services.

Zara Ross, Ben’s CEO, said: “The announcement being made today marks a significant period of change for our charity, but we believe now is the right time for us to make this commitment. This will enable us to grow and accelerate support and services for our automotive family.

“Since 2018 when Ben launched its previous 5-year strategic plan, we have developed our health and wellbeing services and managed significant growth in demand.

£More people than ever are reaching out to us due to their mental health and financial pressures, along with many life and health or wellbeing related issues.

“In addition to this, we are also, sadly, responding to more cases where automotive people have been affected by the loss of a colleague through suicide.

“In light of the growing demand for Ben’s health and wellbeing services, the Board concluded that over the next 5–10-year period, the priority of the charity will be to significantly increase these services for industry people and their family dependents.

“This will entail enhancing and accelerating both our reactive and preventative health and wellbeing support services and driving increased impact and engagement across the automotive industry. We will be in a position to share our plans for these developments over the future months.

“After very careful consideration, the Board, supported by Ben’s Executive team, has unanimously concluded that now is the right time to recommend the transfer of these services to the stewardship of new operators. We believe this will ensure that these services and our employees working in them have the very best opportunity to continue to flourish, develop and thrive going forward.”