Automotive charity Ben has launched its new campaign to support people who are struggling with loneliness – including fleet drivers.
Research shows that the winter months including January are the loneliest of the year. According to the Co-op, a quarter of Britons feel loneliest in January, outstripping all other months and Ben says its own helpline sees an influx in people reaching out for help due to loneliness during January and the winter months.
However, the problem is not just consigned to the winter months and loneliness is often or always a concern for more than nine million people in the UK all year-round, according to joint research by the Co-op and the Red Cross.
In light of this, Ben has launched new resources on its website to support people during the loneliest time of the year – and is urging fleets to help with promoting the resources as it warns that fleet drivers can suffer from loneliness too.
Rachel Clift, health & wellbeing director at Ben, said: “In the fast-paced work environment of our automotive industry, there are a number of factors that can contribute to the loneliness of our people. The long (and sometimes unsociable) hours can result in social isolation and often lead to loneliness. These challenges, coupled with the bravado of a male-dominated industry and a tough economic market, can leave people feeling completely alone. The truth is that anyone can be affected by loneliness and unwanted social isolation, including remote or dispersed site workers. Therefore, Ben has put together some useful resources for automotive industry people.”
She added: “The thing with loneliness is that it’s a ‘silent epidemic’ and it can also feel like a taboo. No-one wants to admit they’re lonely and it’s a very personal thing, so there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ way to overcome it. This said, there are things that those who are lonely can do to connect and reconnect with others, so we’re pleased to be focusing on this important issue and offering our advice to those who need it.”
Rachel Clift will also be speaking at this Thursday’s Great British Fleet Event on the subject of the relationship between mental health, wellbeing and employee engagement.
The talk will look at the issue of Managing and responding to mental health in the workplace, including loneliness. It forms part of the Future of Fleet Management Masterclass – one of four Masterclasses taking part under the conference section of the event, which is being held at the London Novotel West from 9am thisThursday 24 January 2019.
For more details and to register for the event, click here.
