Motor business charity Ben plans to spin off its care centres and residential properties in response to rising demand for its assist providers as a part of a brand new five-year strategic plan.

Ben stated the automotive business charity had skilled a big improve in demand for its providers since 2018, managing over 300% extra enquiries by its confidential helpline and supporting over 200% extra folks by its assist and specialist providers.

Ben’s board of trustees and govt workforce stated that they had spent the previous 12 months finishing a strategic overview of each side of the assist and providers it operates and wished to replicate the altering context for folks working within the automotive business by enhancing and accelerating each its reactive and preventative well being and wellbeing assist providers and driving elevated affect and engagement throughout the automotive business.

As a part of the basic overview of all Ben’s present providers, the charity stated the way forward for its care, and latterly village, providers which have been an integral and valued a part of the charity for over 70 years had been examined.

Ben Care gives versatile care and assist at its care properties in Ascot, Easenhall in Warwickshire and Berwick-upon Tweed in Northumberland with residential, nursing, dementia and respite care, and assist for the over 55s group in Coventry. In its annual report & monetary statements for the yr ended March 2022, the charity stated the prices of offering care in its care properties had risen by 7% to £11.1 million.

“After very cautious consideration, the board, supported by Ben’s govt workforce, has unanimously concluded that now’s the best time to suggest the switch of those providers to the stewardship of recent operators. We consider this can be sure that these providers and our staff working in them have the perfect alternative to proceed to flourish, develop and thrive going ahead.”   

Zara Ross, Ben’s CEO, stated: “The announcement being made immediately marks a big interval of change for our charity, however we consider now’s the best time for us to make this dedication. This may allow us to develop and speed up assist and providers for our automotive household.

“Since 2018 when Ben launched its earlier 5-year strategic plan, now we have developed our well being and wellbeing providers and managed important development in demand. Extra folks than ever are reaching out to us as a result of their psychological well being and monetary pressures, together with many life and well being or wellbeing associated points. Along with this, we’re additionally, sadly, responding to extra circumstances the place automotive folks have been affected by the lack of a colleague by suicide.

“Our board of trustees and govt workforce are dedicated to rising our charitable affect even additional, however we should elevate consciousness of the assist that Ben gives to make sure we could be there for many who are struggling, or in disaster. We can not do that alone; we’d like our business to affix us in elevating consciousness and assist us to assist much more of our automotive household. We look ahead to sharing extra concerning the scale of our ambition and plans quickly.”