Chan, 62 from North London, tells her story about how being made redundant affected her confidence and mental health, until she turned to Ben...

“I had always thought of myself as a confident person. For years, that belief carried me through life, until everything changed. In early 2025, after two decades with the same company, I was made redundant. The shock hit me harder than I could have imagined. Almost overnight, my confidence gave way to severe depression, anxiety and a constant, underlying fear. I felt like the ground had disappeared beneath me.

“When I contacted Ben, I was at breaking point. Before that, I’d been going round in circles with friends and family talking, but not really finding relief. From the first conversation with Ben, something shifted and I felt comfortable. I was met with genuine care and concern and, for the first time in a long while, things started to make sense. There was a calmness in how they listened which made me feel less lost.

“Soon after making contact with Ben, I received an email outlining support options - therapy or life coaching. I knew I wanted to move forward, not just process what had happened, so I chose life coaching. That decision turned out to be incredibly important.

“Ben’s support meant I didn’t feel alone anymore. At my lowest point, I was living in fear and the redundancy had completely broken my confidence. Having someone who truly listened and understood how I felt made a real difference. It gave me a sense of stability when everything else felt uncertain.

“Looking back, I honestly don’t know where I’d be without that support. I believe I would have gone in deeper into depression, possibly even feeling suicidal. There would have been no light, no sense of worth. My job hadn’t just been about earning a living - it gave me connection. I was always around people and losing that left a huge emptiness. Without Ben’s help, I don’t think I would have rebuilt my self-esteem.

“Things aren’t perfect now, I still have anxious days and low moments. It’s been tough. But I’m better equipped. My coach gave me tools that I still use, like worksheets to remind myself of the positives. One of the most powerful things we worked on was Nonviolent Communication (NVC). It helped me understand that when I’m struggling, I need to look after my own needs - not external things, but what’s going on inside me. That brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

"Now, my life has a different rhythm. I work from 1 to 6pm, which suits me. I can take my mornings slowly, spend time on things I love, like arts and crafts and mentally prepare for the day ahead. I have a lovely work colleague and working locally helps me feel connected again. Overtime is available, but I choose not to take it. I’m learning to protect my balance.

“When I think about the future, I try not to get ahead of myself. I’ve learned to take life one day at a time. Worrying about tomorrow only fuels anxiety, so I bring myself back to the present. Today, I have a job. I’m well enough. I feel stronger within myself and that’s enough.

“I also feel more prepared for challenges. Life coaching taught me how to handle difficult situations better. I have backup plans (Plan A and Plan B) which are reminders I use when I feel overwhelmed. Words like ‘breathe’ and ‘stop’ help ground me and bring me back to the present moment. Sometimes, I try to focus on the signs around me - music, lyrics, even red stop lights - which remind me to pause and reset.

“If I could say one thing to someone thinking about reaching out for support, it would be: don’t wait. Make that first move as soon as you can. Every moment spent stuck in anxiety or depression is a moment lost. It’s OK to ask for help. You’re not meant to go through it alone. The support is there and it’s a safe space with people who truly care. I know that because I’ve been there and reaching out to Ben changed everything.”

To find out more about Life Coaching, visit: www.ben.org.uk/coaching.