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Automotive industry charity, Ben, is launching new health checks for automotive people, offering the chance for those who work in the industry to have a personal MOT for their physical and mental health.
Ben Health Checks can be booked by any automotive employer wanting to invest in the health and wellbeing of their employees. In today's fast-paced world and work environment, with multiple additional challenges, prioritising employee health and wellbeing has never been more important for any business. This is further supported by results from Ben’s Health & Wellbeing survey which indicate that 99% of respondents said they had experienced an issue with their health or wellbeing over the past 12 months.
The health checks offer the opportunity for automotive employees to have one-on-one conversations about their physical and mental health with a qualified health professional. The health checks also identify potential issues and also suggest making positive changes so people can live and work well.
Ben is offering two types of health checks; one focusing solely on physical health (20 minutes) and another that is a full MOT, checking both physical and mental health (30 minutes). In the physical health check, four tests are carried out including resting heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. The health professional will then discuss results with each employee and compare them with national health guidelines to provide a clear understanding of their current physical health. In the physical and mental health check, employees will undertake the same physical health tests as well as a mental health check-in to see how they are feeling in terms of levels of stress, mood and worry and coping day-to-day.
To start the roll out of Ben's Health Checks, the team will be attending the upcoming UK Garage & Bodyshop Event from 5-6th June at the NEC, offering attendees the opportunity to learn more and have their very own health check.
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “It’s never been more important for employers to prioritise employee health and wellbeing, especially at the moment when there are multiple work and life pressures on our automotive family. Employee absences can be linked to lifestyle-related illnesses, with factors such as alcohol, obesity and smoking known to be at the root of many health conditions.
“With 1 in 3 automotive people reporting to be struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, providing a health check is a proactive step, empowering people to take control of their health and wellbeing so they can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. By booking Ben Health Checks for your employees, you’re not only investing in your people and your business, you’ll also be supporting your industry charity."
To learn more about Ben Health Checks and schedule a session for your employees, visit www.ben.org.uk/healthchecks. All health checks are delivered on site to allow for minimal disruption to the working day and they are private, confidential, and carried out on a one-to-one basis with a qualified health professional.
It’s free to attend the upcoming UK Garage & Bodyshop Event from 5-6th June – so sign up by clicking here and receive your free Ben Health Check!
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It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and automotive industry charity, Ben, has launched a new report revealing results from its latest survey, in which over 1 in 4 automotive workers (27%) reported issues managing their mental health. This is compared to 16% of UK workers who said they have issues managing their mental health, showing it’s a bigger issue for people working in the automotive industry.
The survey also found that an overwhelming 99.6% of automotive people have been affected by a health & wellbeing issue over the previous 12 months. Stress remains the most common health & wellbeing issue that automotive employees face, at 56%, followed by poor sleep (51%), feelings of anxiety (43%) and low mood (41%). The results clearly show that mental health issues are the most prominent of the top 10 issues and affect a number of people in the automotive industry.
Furthermore, a total of 7 in 10 respondents said they worry about money and these people are more likely to experience feelings of anxiety, low mood and depression. The number of people worrying about money has increased from the year before (6 in 10), which is most likely caused by cost-of-living pressures. Year on year, debt has increased by 3% (19% to 22%), being unable to budget has increased by 12% (14% to 26%), being unable to save has increased by 5% (31% to 36%) and skipping meals has increased by 6% (10% to 16%).
The survey also revealed that 1 in 7 automotive workers are considering leaving the industry and that pay is the biggest motivator for this (29%). A total of 87% of those considering leaving the industry have had financial issues and 63% are experiencing stress at work.
Read report
Read the report of the results here: www.ben.org.uk/surveyreport2024
This was Ben’s biggest survey to date with a record 1,872 automotive employee respondents of all UK regions, ages, gender and working environments. The survey is in its seventh year and aims to uncover the key health and wellbeing issues currently affecting the automotive industry workforce so Ben can continue to provide relevant support now and in the future.
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “We’re pleased to be launching our latest survey results report to highlight the health and wellbeing issues that our automotive family are facing. Our annual surveys are the ideal opportunity to hear from our automotive family so we can fully understand their struggles and then provide the support they need. We also take it as an opportunity to share these insights with employers and our industry stakeholders so we can all do more to support automotive people and their families.
“Mental health issues are affecting 1 in 4 of our automotive family and we can see that money worries are contributing to this. More people are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, with issues such as skipping meals and debt on the rise. Of course, this is likely to have an impact on their overall health and wellbeing, including both their physical and mental health.”
“On the back of these results, we want to make sure that everyone who works, or has worked, in the automotive industry knows we’re there for them, so please get in touch if you’re struggling by visiting www.ben.org.uk/gethelp. We’re here for employers too and you can read about how Ben can support your business and the health and wellbeing of your employees in the report, or by visiting www.ben.org.uk/business.”
Sign up to receive tips, advice and tools at www.ben.org.uk/signup and, for online mental health support, visit www.ben.org.uk/mentalhealth.
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When it comes to raising funds for a club, there are dozens of tried and true options. Whether your club wants to raise funds for renting a clubhouse or donating to another cause, those in the community usually schedule a few fundraising events throughout the year. Though they’re always centered around a good cause, some are more memorable than others. 
In fact, it can be a little grueling to figure out how to raise money and not bore attendees. For this reason, a good old-fashioned party usually gets the job done. But when it comes to crafting a thoughtful, fun, and impactful fundraising experience, you might need to dig a little bit deeper.
If you’re looking for ideas that will take your biker club fundraisers to the next level, then take a few shortcuts with this list. We’ve got some of the best ideas out there for UK based biker clubs.
Poker Runs
Hosting a good old-fashioned poker tournament is a great way to please attendees and get a spirit of competition going. Millions worldwide access Texas Hold'em on virtual platforms, where they can play in table games and tournaments. In fact, online play is a popular way to get started with poker, as it's not hard to find advice on improving home game results, memorizing hand rankings, and even entering official competitions online. But the poker run is a little bit different to classic online play.
The poker run involves elements of a scavenger hunt. Club members will ride to various locations where they’re tasked with finding hidden cards. Once they’ve got a hand, they return to base where they’ll compare their hand’s ranking to others in the group. This is a great event when it comes to bringing various clubs together, as it can be arranged as an individual or team competition.
Simulation Races
Poker is a game many are familiar with—but what about a more digitized game? If your club has access to a simulation setup, then there’s no better fundraising event than a simulation race. Simulations usually focus on F1, rally, or MotoGP. If you’re club is more flexible, you can pit riders together in a game like MotoGP 23 or even head to places like London’s F1 Arcade.
But if you want a more homegrown experience, that’s okay, too. You can find games like DriveClub Bikes straight from a PC. This game is considered one of the most realistic motorcycle riding games on the market, allowing you to take on other members while also raising money for the club. 
Mini Moto Show
If poker and riding simulations aren’t your thing, then consider a classic option like a mini moto show. Once again, this a great option for multi-club fundraising efforts, as it allows members to show off their rides. It’s also a bit easier to arrange, as moto shows are usually more casual than competitive poker runs or simulation races.
That being said, you will need to find a café or a club that has plenty of room. Similarly, you’ll still need to work with food and drink vendors to make sure guests don’t leave hungry. Aside from that, you can expect a long day of passionate chatter and getting to check out flashy bikes. Just try to pepper in a few events, like a raffle and bike washes. This offers you a chance to give the event structure and earn a few more pounds.
Quizzes & Trivia Events
So far, we’ve counted down three complex types of fundraisers that any club can take on. Still, they do require a lot of time, effort, and even funding to get off the ground. If you’re low on time and energy, then keep things simple with a quiz or trivia event.
These can take place straight from a clubhouse or a beloved haunt. All that’s left to do is figure out what sorts of topics you want to quiz attendees on—motorcycle topics are obviously a favorite. Don’t forget to include a few top prizes for the winners of the trivia event. If there’s a large event coming up, whether something like Cheltenham or an event like the BAFTAs, consider framing the quiz around that topic.
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- Check your bike’s battery is fully charged
- Half of all bike breakdowns are due to non-start or cut-out issues
- Mechanical issues cause a third of breakdowns
The motorcycling season is kick-starting and riders need to make essential checks to avoid common breakdown issues, says leading provider Start Rescue.
“Our data shows that half of all motorcycle breakdowns are due to the engine not starting or cutting out,” says Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue. “Non-start issues, such as a flat battery, account for 34% of call-outs, while a cut-out where the engine stops unexpectedly make up 16% of calls. That’s why it’s vital to keep your bike’s battery properly charged or replace it when necessary.”
A further 30% of motorcycle call-outs are due to: general mechanical faults (13%), gearbox and clutch issues (11%), and problems with the chain (6%). Other issues can be caused by tyres and fuel systems that have degraded while the bike has been stored over winter.
Most motorcycle breakdowns happen within a short distance from home, which is why Start Rescue motorcycle cover includes Local Recovery up to 10 miles and most policies include National Recovery too.
Lee Puffett adds: “Our dedicated motorcycle cover is among the most affordable on the market. As well as motorcycles, we also cover scooters and mopeds, and our operatives have the correct equipment to repair or transport your treasured motorcycle.
“We are the quickest to respond to a breakdown and reach 77% of call-outs within 30 minutes to an hour. You can also take out personal cover if you’re riding pillion, so you are still protected in the event of a breakdown.”
Start Rescue has just been named Your Money’s Best Breakdown Provider 2024 and the judges commented: “This shows you can win if you provide outstanding customer service, appealing products, and cater for Brits on a budget.”
Start Rescue has a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot, a five-star Defaqto* rating and has achieved Which? Recommended Provider status for five years running. Start Rescue has also been awarded best Breakdown Cover provider in the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024 (www.finder.com), scoring 4.9 out of 5 for overall satisfaction with a 94% recommendation rate.
In the What Car? Survey of Best Breakdown Cover Start Rescue come top for best response time, reaching 77% of call-outs in 30 minutes to an hour and didn’t leave anyone waiting for more than two hours. Start Rescue also won best in the survey for performing temporary repairs that let people continue with their journeys.
Launched in 2009, Start Rescue is an integral part of the nation’s fourth largest breakdown and recovery service, Call Assist, which now has more than two million UK customers.
For further breakdown advice, please visit startrescue.co.uk
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We are delighted to announce the results of the National Motorcycle Museum’s winter raffle to win a brand new/old stock Triumph TSX 750cc motorcycle.
The winning tickets were drawn on stage by genius engineer Allen Millyard on Sunday 21st April 2024 at The International Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford.
1st Prize:
1983 TRIUMPH TSX 750cc MOTORCYCLE.
Once in a lifetime chance to win a brand new/old stock Triumph TSX 750cc motorcycle showing just 13 push miles which has never been run or registered.
Winner: Ms Kelly Norrington, London. Ticket No.5183922.
2nd Prize:
SEALEY TOOLS/NMM VOUCHER FOR £1500.00 (RETAIL VALUE)
Any Sealey tool products to the retail value of £1500.00 to be purchased via The National Motorcycle Museum shop.
Winner: Mr Tom Brookes, Lincoln. Ticket No.1059441.
3rd Prize:
SEALEY TOOLS “PATRIOT” ROLL CAB TOOL CABINET (RRP £719.95)
Winner’s choice of one of five flag designs including-Union Jack, George Cross, Scotland, Wales & Ireland.
Winner: Mr Philip Northway, Southampton. Ticket No.5184007.
APRIL 2024-OCTOBER 2024 NMM SUMMER RAFFLE.
Following on from our winter raffle draw results, The National Motorcycle Museum is pleased to announce details of our summer 2024 raffle, giving you a chance to win a genuine BSA Rocket Gold Star 650cc motorcycle which has been restored by The National Motorcycle Museum.!
1st Prize:
1962 BSA ROCKET GOLD STAR 650cc MOTORCYCLE.
Win a genuine BSA
2nd Prize:
SEALEY TOOLS/NMM VOUCHER FOR £1500.00 (RETAIL VALUE)
Any Sealey tool products to the retail value of £1500.00 to be purchased via The National Motorcycle Museum shop.
3rd Prize:
SEALEY TOOLS “PATRIOT” ROLL CAB TOOL CABINET (RRP £719.95)
Winner’s choice of one of five flag designs including-Union Jack, George Cross, Scotland, Wales & Ireland.
The draw for the winter raffle will take place on Sunday 27th October 2024 at our National Motorcycle Museum LIVE event.
Tickets cost £2 each & will be distributed during May/June 2024 via subscription copies of the specialist press. Tickets may also be purchased on-line by visiting www.thenmm.co.uk
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