A new pilot set to support thousands of people across the Black Country with health conditions and disabilities to find or retain employment to boost their wellbeing has officially launched.
The Black Country is one of just 15 places around the country chosen as a pilot area for the WorkWell scheme which will provide early intervention to people who are experiencing barriers to gain or retain employment due to health conditions or disabilities.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) are leading the development, bringing together partner organisations across the system to provide knowledge and shared learning to develop the service, as well as opportunities to provide holistic and personalised support to individuals to help them achieve their goals.
Partnership working across the NHS, local government, job centres, social housing, education, the voluntary sector and wider employers was integral to the success of the bid as organisations have worked together to gain the £3.7 million of government funding to make the scheme a reality.
Work and Health Coaches will be on hand to meet with participants to gain an understanding of their needs, areas of work they are interested in pursuing and what help they need to overcome barriers to achieve their goals. The participant will be offered support and referred to other services if longer-term help is required.
BCHFT has a strong record of delivering successful employment and health schemes. The Thrive into Work service, which helps people with mental and physical health needs find and retain work, last year supported 867 people who accessed this service towards this goal. Meanwhile, the IPS Employment Service which helps people who are receiving secondary mental health care to gain and retain work, helped 1106 people who accessed this service.
Kuli Kaur Wilson, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer, said: “We are incredibly excited to be leading the WorkWell scheme and collectively as partners across the system we have a shared passion to continue to develop health and work pathways, and support people in the Black Country to gain or retain employment regardless of health conditions or disabilities.
“Collectively across the Black Country, we are aiming to support 4,000 local people on their employment journey, providing them with the support to start, stay or succeed in work.
“Unemployment can be a major contributor to both ill health and health inequalities for many of our communities. By taking an integrated approach to health and work, we can help remove the barriers that stop people from being able to access and keep meaningful work. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to achieve the best for our Black Country communities.”
Anu Singh, Chair of the Black Country Integrated Care Partnership, said: “An individual’s disability or health condition should not define whether they remain in the workplace, yet we know that those with poor health often find that seeking and retaining employment difficult.
“In the Black Country we are committed to tackling the causes of health inequalities and recognise the role that good work has on positive life and health outcomes.
“It’s fantastic that work is now underway on the WorkWell project, which will help us to make a difference for local people through integrated health and employment support that is tailored to their individual needs.”
