Charity Ben offers Christmas lifeline to automotive families

Industry charity Ben is once again bringing festive relief to automotive families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis through its Christmas Families Project.

The initiative helps families facing difficult choices about essentials like heating, food, and the possibility of affording Christmas gifts.

Launched in December 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the project provides crucial support such as keeping families housed, ensuring access to heating, and putting food on tables. Importantly, it also helps parents bring joy to their children by covering the cost of Christmas gifts and festive meals.

The Christmas Families Project is part of Ben’s wider mission to support thousands of individuals across the automotive sector each year. The charity’s assistance extends beyond the holiday season, offering year-round support to automotive employees and their families during challenging times.

Since its inception, Ben has assisted nearly 700 adults and children, with demand for the initiative rising sharply - an increase of 208% over the past four years.

Last year alone, 265 automotive families, including 120 children, received support. With the ongoing financial challenges, the charity expects to help even more families this year.

Rachel Clift, Ben chief executive, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have helped hundreds of automotive people through our Christmas families project over the past four years. Of course, Ben’s not just for Christmas - we’re here for automotive people all year round and we help thousands of families each year. At a more expensive time of year, we want to make sure no automotive family goes without the opportunity to have a Christmas meal together and a gift for their children.

“We recognise that times are still really tough for many. No-one in our automotive family should face homelessness or have to make impossible decisions about whether they can afford to put food on the table or heat their homes. We’re here for those struggling or in crisis. We provide life-changing and, often life-saving support to many families and individuals who can’t afford the basics and we urge people to contact our helpline. We want everyone in the automotive industry to know that Ben is here for them. Please don’t struggle alone, get in touch today.”

Contact Ben’s free and confidential helpline: 08081 311 333 or use the Ben webchat at www.ben.org.uk.