25/11/2024 14:23
The initiative came about after a sales executive at the dealership, Jessica Bright, suggested swapping the traditional bouquet of flowers presented during a new vehicle handover for a charity donation of the same value.
With the automotive industry being traditionally male-dominated, York-based Menfulness, which brings local men together to socialise, exercise, enjoy themselves, talk, and let off steam in a non-judgmental, friendly, and supportive environment, was an obvious choice.
Men’s mental health is a critical issue, with men being three times more likely to take their own lives than women. Additionally, men are less likely to access psychological therapies, with only 36% of NHS mental health referrals being for men. The automotive industry, where men outnumber women four to one, can play a vital role in helping to improve awareness around support available and removing any perceived stigma.
Richard Smith, General Manager at Bristol Street Motors York Renault Dacia, said: “Supporting men’s mental health is incredibly important, especially in the automotive industry, where 80% of the workforce is male. While flowers are a nice gesture to show our appreciation for a customer’s loyalty, we felt that being able to support a charity making a real and positive impact in our community was a better way to spend money.
“Jessica Bright has been key in driving this initiative and I’m really proud of her for making it happen. Menfullness’s approach of building a support network is important – too many people feel they don’t have anywhere to turn. If more people had a safety net and relationships with other men where they feel safe and supported, I think we would see fewer issues. The power of being able to talk and feel listened to cannot be underestimated.”
Matty Lewis, one of the co-founders of Menfulness said: “Men’s mental health has become a topic spoken about more and more, but we need to continue talking about it and breaking the stigma surrounding it. Having a well-known brand like Bristol Street Motors help drive the conversation forward can only be a good thing.
“Men’s support groups can provide a place to become part of something where they can express themselves. The customers choosing to support us help to fund our work, with every penny raised going towards our groups - allowing us to continue providing a safe space for men to talk, socialise, and support each other - and life-changing and life-saving private counselling, available within 24 hours of contacting us.
“The partnership really helps shine a light on what we do, and if one bloke reaches out or receives help as a result, it’s worth its weight in gold.”