The Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) has tied up with automotive industry mental health and wellbeing social enterprise [M]enable to promote the subject of mental health.

The partnership will apply across the VRA’s member organisations, creating awareness of [M]enable and enabling easier access to its services. Founded on the principle of “saving lives in automotive”, [M]enable is committed to helping individuals who work in the sector to get access to the support and help they need – and to also get everyone talking about mental health as an everyday subject.

Chair Philip Nothard explained: “Our view is very much that this is a subject that should be taken seriously across the whole of the motor industry and is frequently not given the attention it merits. The VRA had a close relationship with James Davis and many people here were very much affected by his death in 2021, so this has definite resonance for us.”

The VRA is planning to include [M]enable in its regular member meetings as well as adding content to its website and issuing regular mental health bulletins to members.

The tie-up will provide [M]enable with a platform for its work within the remarketing sector, running alongside its existing relationships with dealer groups and leasing companies.

Steve Whitton, founder of the organisation, said: “Our purpose is to work with organisations within the automotive industry to drive and change cultures so that mental health discussions are embraced and encouraged. This helps organisations to improve their performance and grow, something that we are sure VRA members recognise.

“We’re here to help anyone who feels that they need mental health support across the sector and we very much plan to make a positive contribution to the VRA.”