SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S MAYOR LAUNCHES NEW WORK AND HEALTH SERVICE WORKWELL WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH LEADERS

Published 11 November 2024 at 11:23am

South Yorkshire’s Mayor and leaders from across Local Government and health came together to officially launch WorkWell, a new early intervention service that’s supporting people with physical or mental health conditions to stay in work or return to work.

The launch at the South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) offices in Sheffield on Wednesday 6 November, brought together partners, stakeholders and those who have accessed forerunner employment support programmes, to discuss the new service and how it can be accessed in the region.

Ruth Salvin, 45, who has recently signed up to WorkWell was at the event. She is currently out of work due to health reasons and she hopes the service will help get her confidence back.

Ruth said: “I started on WorkWell last week. I’m hoping being on this course will give me more confidence to return to work and increase my confidence in my abilities to work in childcare. 

“It has been good so far; my employment support officer Mark is being very supportive and I appreciate his advice. 

“I’m looking forward to be able to return to work and use the skills that I’ve acquired.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, as well as representatives from SYHA and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), spoke at the launch event about what this new service means for the region. 

SYMCA was recently awarded more than £3.5m as one of 15 pilot areas across England to deliver WorkWell. SYMCA will provide the service in partnership with SYHA.

The new service provides a referral mechanism for employees and employers to ask for the support they need. WorkWell offers a tailored early-intervention work and health support and assessment service, and a single, joined-up gateway to other support services. 

Leigh Arnold, 35, is a Peer Support Worker, who previously received employment support from South Yorkshire Housing Association. He spoke at the event about his experiences. 

Leigh said: “The employment support I received helped me with my CV and helped me with the application, so it was a lot more targeted, it wasn’t just about numbers it was actually helping me with what I wanted to go into. 

“It made a massive difference. It got me a job in a sector that I was finding it difficult to get into myself and I had ongoing employment support after I got the job.

“I think if WorkWell is anything like what I experienced then it will definitely help people.

“If it’s targeted and focused on what your interests and skills are then you’re setting people up to win.”

WorkWell offers low-intensity holistic support to people who are struggling due to a physical or mental health condition and or disability, to overcome work and health related barriers to employment. 

The WorkWell Partnership will enable a wide range of local organisations to connect individuals to the support they need. Partners across work and health, such as GPs, Primary Care services, Job Centre Plus, Local Authorities, Employers and the Voluntary Community Sector will be able to make referrals into this service later this year.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, who also chairs the region’s Integrated Care Partnership, said: “The poor health that scars our region doesn’t just hold back our economy, it stops people from making the most of their talents and enjoying the lives they deserve. Through the innovative Working Win scheme, we’ve already supported 6,500 people back to work. Through the additional funding for WorkWell, we’ll be able to support many more people across South Yorkshire, so that everyone has the opportunity to stay near and go far.”

One of the main focuses of the Integrated Care Partnership Board in South Yorkshire is the relationship between employment and improving population health. 

Juliann Hall, Director of Care, Health and Wellbeing, South Yorkshire Housing Association, said: “Good work is important because it can offer people new experiences, help to build local connections, and provide meaning and purpose. At South Yorkshire Housing Association, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunities and support to find a job they can flourish in.

“WorkWell will ensure that people living with health conditions and disabilities are supported to find and stay in work and given the chance to share and grow their talents in South Yorkshire. 

“We’re delighted to be partnering with SYMCA on another much-needed employment support programme and looking forward to working with local communities and organisations in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.” 

Find out more about WorkWell at www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/workwell and www.syha.co.uk/workwell