The big interview: Rachel Clift

Automotive charity Ben has helped people struggling in the sector for decades, and the number of people it supports is growing. Health and wellbeing director Rachel Clift reveals how we can support its work so no one is left behind.

How does Ben help those in need of support in the automotive industry?

The simplest way to explain is that Ben is the automotive industry charity, and we provide support for those that have worked in or currently work in the sector, along with their family dependents. Family dependents are defined as people that are financially dependent on the industry connected person.

We help people in a range of different areas, from the toughest of life challenges to those who simply want to make a positive change in their life. We are passionate about improving lives and health and wellbeing, and improving the quality of life for our automotive family. Our mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of those that reach out for our support. It’s been a tumultuous few years, from the pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis.

How has Ben helped people during this time?

It’s important to acknowledge that over the past five years, Ben has experienced a huge increase in service demand. We have managed 300% more helpline enquiries and increased our support of individuals with more complex needs by 200%. Last year we had roughly 13,000 inquiries, supported 3,500 individuals and delivered 6,500 interventions. That includes people accessing SilverCloud, a digital mental health and wellbeing platform.

We have also supported over 1,300 individuals through counselling and talking therapies, and supported 300 people through life coaching. This year we’re also seeing a 20-25% uplift on last year’s figures for help and enquiries.

Prior to the pandemic, we were already responding to issues around mental health and had a surge of people coming to us who were struggling with stress, low mood and depression. That changed during the pandemic and we started to support more people with anxiety-related issues, as well as issues relating to the future.

How have requests for help changed as the amount of economic pressure has built up?

We have definitely experienced an increase in the number of individuals coming to us in ‘urgent need’, which is a category of welfare grants and financial assistance we give in situations where people are unable to put food on the table or pay a utility bill. It also applies to people at risk of eviction.

Urgent need also covers maintaining safety. We support people when they flee an unsafe situation such as domestic violence. It’s the urgent need of the basic cost of living that people are really struggling with.

How has Ben adapted the ways that people can ask for help?

We have a few routes in. The helpline is our single point of contact for people to make an enquiry, and there are fast-track options where people can access certain parts of our services through the website. As an example, SilverCloud has a range of different programmes for mental health and wellbeing, as well as money worries. People can log on and have fast-track access as a support route.

It’s similar with life coaching. People can go to the website, register their interest and get a life coaching referral without needing to speak to anyone. We’re providing more self-help through the website so that people can get tips, advice and tools that are free and readily available. We also have a webchat option that pops up when you go onto the website so that people can chat with someone if they are not confident about picking up the phone.

People can also reach out via email. Emailing us using a work email address is actually a fantastic way of reaching out because it immediately demonstrates an industry connection. We don’t have to do everything in-person and there’s a lot we do in the virtual space, such as counselling, talking therapy and other specialist therapies. A lot of counselling and therapy is provided remotely, which makes it more accessible for people at a more suitable time for them.

How important is visiting businesses to increasing awareness of Ben?

It’s massively important. Only one in five of our industry family are aware of Ben, so we re-established an outreach team last year. We know that going out and doing onsite visits, giving Ben the visibility and time with people, is critical. It’s been really valuable and we’ve experienced an increase in service demand following the visits. However, we’re very mindful that the more we grow awareness, the more funds we’ll need to support service demand.

Funding is critical to the services Ben offers. How can people support what you do?

The first thing to acknowledge is that without the generosity of individuals and employees in the industry, we just couldn’t keep doing what we’re doing. We provide life-changing support for those that are struggling and in crisis, so fundraising and donations are absolutely critical.

There are a whole host of ways in which people and organisations can support Ben, from individual and corporate donations to promoting and participating in our fundraising and challenge events.

During September, we launched our second Benathlon, which encourages people to run, walk, cycle or practise yoga for 30 minutes for 30 days to raise £30. Ben’s Big Breakfast returns on October 9 and runs until the 15th, and there are still tables available for the annual Ben Ball, which takes place on December 6.

There are many other ways in which people can support Ben that aren’t about fundraising, donating or paying for training. We have a web page that encourages people to think about how they can raise awareness, as well as sign up to our email list, follow us on social media and tell their story. There are lots of different ways in which people can support and raise Ben’s profile.

If you or someone you know in the industry is struggling, Ben offers free support. The organisation helps all those who work or have worked in the automotive industry, as well as their family dependents.

To get in touch with Ben, call 08081 311 333 or visit www.ben.org.uk/gethelp

This is an edited version of the feature from IMI's new MotorPro magazine, received free as part of IMI membership.