Ben launches Christmas lifeline on World Kindness Day
Today is World Kindness Day and Ben, the automotive industry charity, is launching its Christmas Families project which is a lifeline for automotive families as Christmas is fast approaching. The project runs until 15th December 2025.
In its sixth year, the project provides financial, emotional and wellbeing support for automotive people and their families who are struggling to make ends meet, during the festive period. In the lead up to Christmas Ben can help eligible families with the following:
- Food costs – making sure no-one goes without food over the coming weeks, and that each family has a festive meal on the table
- Financial support – to ease the burden of household bills or essential household items
- Emotional and wellbeing support – offering a listening ear and guidance during what can be a challenging time of year
- Gifts under the tree – families with children will receive a voucher to buy a Christmas gift, so that every child will receive a gift to help make their Christmas feel extra special. Ben will also provide an extra gift for all children.
Since Christmas 2020, Ben has supported almost 900 adults and children through the project, bringing hope and relief during one of the most financially difficult times of year. With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on households, Ben anticipates even more families could benefit from this initiative. Here are some quotes from families who Ben supported last year…
“Your support has been invaluable during such a challenging time for our family. Receiving Ben’s Christmas families support has truly touched our hearts. The e-vouchers for Christmas dinner and gifts for the children will make a world of difference to us this holiday season.”
“Thank you so much for the vouchers, it genuinely means a lot, and we’ll make sure we have a lovely Christmas thanks to Ben.”
“Thank you so much for the vouchers, it will make a massive difference to our Christmas. It’s been a really hard year, but this will lift the whole family. We’re grateful we can spend it together and now have special treats to make it more special than a normal day.”
Again, this year, we are proud to work in partnership with The BMTA Trust which is supporting this project.
Claire France, Support Services Lead at Ben, said: “Christmas should be a time of joy and togetherness, but for many families it can be incredibly stressful when finances are stretched. Through our Christmas Families Project, we’re here to make sure automotive families are supported and don’t have to face these challenges alone. Whether it’s help putting food on the table, ensuring children have presents to open, or offering emotional support, Ben is here to help make this Christmas a little brighter.”
Ben is encouraging anyone working (or who has worked) in the automotive industry who is worried about making ends meet this Christmas to reach out for support.
If you, or someone you know, works in the automotive industry and needs help this Christmas, Ben is here and we urge you to get in touch now via our free and confidential helpline. Don’t suffer in silence, contact our helpline: 08081 311 333 or use our webchat at www.ben.org.uk.
If you would like to show your support for Ben and your automotive family, visit www.ben.org.uk/supportBen.
-ENDS-
Note to editors:
About Ben:
Ben is the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents.
Ben supports individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, empowering them to make positive, lasting change. Ben works with people to improve their lives by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential online self-help, helpline and support services.
Ben provides life-changing support to those facing crisis as well as helping them prevent crisis. Ben’s support empowers people to be more in control of managing their health and wellbeing to help them live well, think well, feel well and work well. Ben’s support is tailored and relevant to the needs of the individual, based on a wide range of support options and addressing every aspect of a person’s life. Visit www.ben.org.uk.
Leila Moss-Kelly
Communications, Content & Impact Manager, Ben
leila.moss-kelly@ben.org.uk
Direct dial: 01344 298 126
