Motor Ombudsman and Ben launch new mental health guide

The Motor Ombudsman has partnered with automotive charity Ben to launch Steer - a new printed and digital mental health and wellbeing guide designed specifically for the automotive sector.

The quick-reference guide offers practical advice and strategies to help businesses recognise, approach, and support employees facing mental health challenges - which, according to recent surveys, are affecting a growing number of people across the industry.

The collaboration comes in response to mounting pressures within the workforce. A Motor Ombudsman survey of independent garages and franchise workshops conducted late last year found that nearly half (49%) of vehicle repairers ranked employee mental and physical health, worsened by rising bills and the cost of living, as their top concern.

Ben’s latest annual Health and Wellbeing survey echoed those findings. More than 1,000 automotive workers were polled, revealing stress (57%), poor sleep (52%), and anxiety (44%) as the top three issues currently affecting industry employees. Each figure rose year-on-year and is now above the national average - highlighting the toll of increased financial strain, including another jump in household bills this April.

Jointly developed by The Motor Ombudsman and Ben, Steer aims to raise awareness around the real impact of mental health struggles on workplace morale, productivity, and performance - while offering practical ways employers can support staff.

Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Ben on such an important initiative. The resource has been designed to guide businesses in the right direction when identifying mental health challenges, whilst equally empowering employers and employees to talk openly in a positive environment to tackle these challenges effectively together.

“People are an organisation’s most valuable resource, and whilst there is never a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, it is important that they never feel alone and are aware that there is support available in their time of need, both via their employer and beyond. Steer builds on our own internal and continued commitment to staff wellbeing and training, and we look forward to sharing the resource across the automotive sector and promoting the great work that Ben does in staff wellbeing.”

Rachel Clift, chief executive at Ben, added: “We’re thrilled to join forces with The Motor Ombudsman, an authority in the automotive sector, to provide this much-needed and vital resource which will prove very useful to those working in the industry. It also allows us to engage further and build even greater awareness about mental health and the importance of talking about this topic, which can still have a stigma attached to it.

“Personal struggles with health and wellbeing aren’t always visible, which sometimes makes them difficult to identify and discuss. By showing understanding, having open conversations, and letting people know that support is there, we can better help individuals with their mental health. Steer will provide an invaluable helping hand for businesses as to what they can do, and where to go next.”

Steer is available as a free printed guide and digital download.