Wholesale vehicle supplier Mfldirect has announced a new partnership to donate £1 of every used vehicle sale to industry charity Ben, which could mean raising £108,000 over the course of the six-month initiative.
The charity provides health and wellbeing services to those who work, or have worked, in the automotive sector, helping thousands of individuals navigate challenges related to mental health, physical wellbeing, and financial worries.
Craig Ford, head of sales, marketing, and digital solutions for Mfldirect which is a division of Motability Operations noted the pressures facing dealerships today, stating: “It’s tough out there. We’re hearing that cash flow, the cost of credit, and inflation are putting dealers under real strain, especially smaller independent and family-run dealerships. The cost-of-living crisis is also affecting people’s mental health and wellbeing. That’s why we’ve partnered with Ben, to help support our automotive community.”
Ben’s services are in high demand, with growing numbers seeking support through their confidential helpline, online self-help tools, and specialist services. The charity tailors its assistance to automotive workers facing difficulties with their physical or mental health, financial struggles, or overall wellbeing.
New data from Ben’s 2024 annual health and wellbeing survey, which included responses from approximately 380 UK dealership workers, reveals concerning trends within the industry.
More than half of respondents reported experiencing stress (55%), poor sleep (53%), and low mood (44%) in the past year. Mental health issues, such as low confidence (34%) and difficulty managing mental health (32%), were also common.
This is a stark contrast to the general UK workforce, where only 16% reported struggling with mental health in the same period.
The cost-of-living crisis has further exacerbated these issues, with nearly 1 in 3 automotive workers (29%) experiencing financial stress, and 22% admitting they have skipped meals to make ends meet. Despite this, 29% of industry workers have sought no support for their wellbeing in the past year.
Matt Wigginton, director of partnerships, engagement & income at Ben, expressed the importance of partnerships like this: “Support from partners like Mfldirect is vital to our work, which is life-changing, and often life-saving. We want to ensure no one in our automotive family faces life’s challenges alone.”