In 1905, one remarkable man created an organisation that he dreamt would improve the lives of automotive people far into the future. This person was Arthur James Wilson and his organisation was BEN. Through World Wars, recessions, industrial disputes and social change, BEN has grown and is constantly developing, exploring new areas, and creating new relationships with the evolving sectors to meet changing needs of its automotive family.
The example that Arthur Wilson set all those years ago has been followed by generations of devoted staff and volunteers who have managed, supported and delivered the care and support that is the reason for BEN’s existence.
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In the past year, BEN has seen significant growth as well as many challenges and highlights and here are a few:
BEN’s biggest challenges faced in 2014
The announcement to launch a strategic plan to redevelop the Lynwood site, near Ascot, to provide a brand new state-of-the-art replacement care centre, BEN was keen to protect the vital support the charity receives from the industry to fund its wider community based support services.
Therefore, they took a ‘commercial’ approach to financing the build by setting the new care centre within a wider retirement scheme, Lynwood Village. Here, BEN is selling long-leasehold apartments and cottages to the general public as well as the automotive community, in order to repay the enabling loan.
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By GlobalDataThis has allowed them to forge ahead with the next stages of BEN’s ambitious care strategy to revitalise and expand all their facilities and care services, whilst the continued industry support will enable them to implement new support services for the wider community.
BEN’s highlights of the past 12 months
Many highlights have been achieved at BEN over the past 12 months and here is a snapshot of a few:
- Strengthening of their senior management team, which has brought a wealth of further specialist experience and knowledge
- Completing a strategic review of their essential services to ensure that they remain flexible for the challenges faced by our automotive community both now in the future. Feedback from BEN’s automotive community survey allowed them to identify the issues that have had, or are having, a significant impact. From this BEN has identified potential new support services and are now implementating
- Creating new corporate charity partnerships with focus on innovative fundraising initiatives, which raise both vital funds and significant awareness of BEN
- The redevelopment and opening in April of Lynwood Care Centre and Retirement Village
- Re-launch of BEN’s website last year now benefits users with a greater focus on the services that they provide with easier routes to accessing help
BEN’s hopes for 2015 – Improving the lives of automotive colleagues
BEN’s hope for 2015 is that they can help even more of those in the industry in need and that awareness of BEN, and its services, continue to grow. They want to ensure that every single person in the automotive community views BEN as their ‘support service’ and gets in touch if they are facing life changing circumstances. Remember BEN can help!
It is vital that BEN continues to receive industry support so help can be provided to those who are affected by stress, money worries, illness, relationship problems, bereavement or a child or elderly parent who may need help. By working with BEN as a strategic partner, companies can ensure that they continue to provide this plus sustain the productivity and wellbeing of the entire automotive community. Together BEN can, and will, make a difference.
BEN is your support network and their early intervention enables quicker and a better outcome that can improve the lives of thousands of automotive people each year. BEN can’t stop life-changing events happening but it can make a difference to the impact these have and support you every step of the way.
Who BEN has helped
To give an example of how many people BEN has helped during any given month, in June this year 250 separate individual enquiries were received asking for help and support. Adding to this, our dedicated and highly trained welfare team have supported a total of 131 clients and what will surprise the automotive industry is that almost 78% of those people we have supported in June are of working age. The support and financial assistance that BEN gives has:
- Stopped people from becoming homeless
- Enabled us to arrange and pay for specialist services such as counselling and physiotherapy for family bereavement, mental health and family breakdown issues
- Provided funding to purchase specialist equipment and adaptions to the home
Here is the story of one family we helped through life-changing circumstances and literally ‘every step of the way’:
Kate’s story….
Kate, whose husband is a mechanic, captivated the audience at a BEN event by explaining the life-changing impact of BEN’s help during a personal crisis. She told how during pregnancy she suffered a stroke and then courageously gave birth while paralysed on her left side. With BEN’s help and support, specialist equipment was purchased which enabled her to walk again and return to sharing quality time with her family. "I never thought we’d need help like this – but we are so, so grateful that it was there when we did. BEN gave back my independence and has quite literally been there every step of the way."
It’s free, confidential and independent
It’s in all our interests, both work and personal, to encourage those struggling to turn to BEN. If you, a member of your family or work team could benefit from free, confidential and independent advice – get in touch with BEN today!
