Automotive industry charity, Ben, has today published its latest Year in Numbers, highlighting the growing demand for health, wellbeing and financial support across the automotive industry between April 2025 and March 2026.
Over the year, Ben responded to 14,377 enquiries for support, highlighting the growing pressures faced by people working in the automotive industry. The charity directly supported 3,421 individuals through tailored services, designed to help them navigate challenges related to their physical and mental health. This included supporting people experiencing high levels of stress, bereavement, financial hardship and the demands of balancing work and personal life. Through Ben’s support, thousands of individuals across the automotive sector received the help they needed to regain stability and get back on track.
While these figures demonstrate the significant impact Ben is already making, they also highlight the substantial unmet need that still exists across the industry. Ben believes many more people could benefit from its support, however, given the size and scale of the automotive sector, raising awareness of the charity and its services remains a significant challenge. As a result, Ben has set an ambition to treble its charitable reach by 2030, ensuring far more automotive people know where to turn for health and wellbeing support, for life.
Support and specialist services delivery
During the year, Ben supported 3,421 individuals, delivering 7,048 direct support interventions, including:
- 1,632 individuals received general information, advice and guidance for a range of issues
- 1,605 individuals were supported with benefits advice and financial guidance
- 573 financial grants were awarded to individuals in hardship
- 468 individuals were supported through Ben Therapy
- 263 individuals received Life Coaching
- 528 activations of SilverCloud, Ben’s digital mental health support platform.
Ben also maintained a consistently high satisfaction rate across all services, with an average of 95%.
Demand for online and digital support
Demand for online support and self-help resources also remained high, with more than 52,000 website visitors and 77,000 support page views recorded during the year. In addition, over 1,000 individuals signed up to receive health and wellbeing tips, advice and tools via email, which was an 8% increase, bringing the charity’s total subscribers to 15,500.
The most visited online support content reflected some of the biggest challenges currently affecting automotive people, including:
These trends demonstrate continued demand for mental health and emotional wellbeing support, as well as practical financial and career advice as people navigate ongoing uncertainty and change.
Ben has also just launched a new mental health self-assessment tool on its website in response to growing demand for support in this area: www.ben.org.uk/mentalhealthquiz.
Supporting employers and workplaces
Ben also continued to work alongside automotive employers to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce through training, health checks and response services. Across the year:
Rachel Clift, CEO at Ben, said: “Our latest year in numbers shows both the difference Ben is making and the growing challenges facing people across the automotive industry. Every number represents a real person who reached out for support, whether because of mental health struggles, financial worries, bereavement, stress or uncertainty about the future.
“While we’re proud of the impact we’re having, we also know the need across the industry is far greater than the number of people currently accessing our services. Too many people still don’t know Ben is here for them. That’s why increasing awareness is such a major priority for us. We want everyone in automotive to know where they can turn for support, whatever they’re facing.
“Our ambition is to treble our charitable impact by 2030 so we can help far more people earlier, before challenges escalate into crisis. We’ll continue evolving our services and working closely with industry partners to make that ambition a reality.”
Real impact testimonials
Here are some recent quotes from people who have received support from Ben:
"What Ben offers is something that truly benefits people, and the more it’s talked about, the more people it can help. That’s so important, because this industry can be incredibly tough. If sharing my story helps even one person reach out and get the support they need, then it’s worth it.” - Holly
“For the first time in a long time, my future feels real. I feel more confident, more positive and more like myself again. To anyone thinking of contacting Ben, I would say: Absolutely do it. Their support is life-saving.” - Andy
“With Ben, it was different. I had guidance, it was interactive, engaging and I didn’t feel alone. For the first time, I felt truly heard and validated. Now, I feel like a completely different person.” - Ellie
“Now, I can see a future - one where I can make peace with my past and be content in the present. To anyone considering contacting Ben, my message is simple - try it. Ben has given people like me the chance to rebuild our lives.” - Jack
Ben is also calling on the automotive industry to continue supporting its work, helping ensure that vital services remain accessible to all who need them. Find out how to support Ben at www.ben.org.uk/supportBen.
For more information or to access support, visit: www.ben.org.uk.
