Helping People With Health Conditions Start or Stay in Work.
The service is free and voluntary, and participants will have access to a Work and Health Coach/Mentor who will work with them to agree realistic and reasonable next steps as part of a personalised support plan.
This may include support to improve physical and/or mental health, with Work and Health Coaches considering the full range of available local services and providing signposting tailored to individual needs.
The WorkWell project is particularly interested in working with people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, ex-offenders, young people and women.
Who is Workwell For?
WorkWell is available to people who are unemployed and experiencing a health condition that is affecting their ability to return to work. This includes people who have recently become unemployed and have been out of work for up to six months.
The service also supports people who are currently in work but are struggling with a health condition or disability. This may include people who are currently off sick or at risk of leaving the workforce due to their health.
Additionally, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over, or in a work-based apprenticeship if you are age 16-17
- Have the right to work in the UK.
- Have a health-related barrier that is affecting your ability to work, as determined by the WorkWell service.
- Live, work or be registered with a GP in Hyndburn, Rossendale, South Ribble, Chorley, Ribble Valley or Preston.
What Support is Included?
WorkWell provides personalised support to help people manage health-related barriers to work and achieve their employment goals. Participants will be allocated a Work and Health Coach/Mentor who will take the time to understand their individual circumstances, health needs and aspirations. The service is free and voluntary, with support tailored to each person and delivered for up to 12 weeks including:
Time to Talk
Participants can discuss how their health condition affects their daily life and work. Their coach will listen, provide guidance and help them identify their needs and goals in a safe and confidential environment
Personalised Support Plan
The coach will work with each participant to agree realistic and achievable next steps, creating a tailored plan that addresses their physical, psychological and social needs.
Stay in or
Return to Work
This may include advice on workplace adjustments and, with the participant’s consent, liaison with their employer to help put appropriate support in place.
Access to Further Support
Coaches can help participants understand and access other services and resources, including healthcare professionals, community services and, health and wellbeing programmes.
How Can I Get Involved?
Our Partners
Active Lancashire
Active Lancashire’s WorkWell support is tailored to support those who have experienced substance misuse, mental health issues, are ex offenders or are about to leave prison. Our key focus is to engage people into activities to: build their resilience, connect with other people, integrate them back into their community, build confidence/self-esteem, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. It offered personalised support tailored to individual needs. Support includes: Mentoring GP Support Free Bikes Weekly Activities Volunteering Employment Support Links to recovery community Sign posting to additional services Contact Paul on 07732 156060 or pbecouarn@activelancashire.org.uk to find out more about the support on offer.
Selnet LTD
Selnet are leading a partnership of local specialist organisations to deliver a range of support through WorkWell. Tailored support is focussed on helping people with health conditions to start and stay in work – combining expert advice, experience and coaching with improving access to services, our network offers a broad spectrum of specialisms and local knowledge. Selnet’s experience in supporting social enterprises and small businesses to develop and grow also means we are ideally placed to support people who are self employed or who work in small businesses. If you have any questions, or need to talk through which of our partner organisations would be best for you, contact Alison or Emma at Selnet on 01772 200 690 or email Opportunities@selnet-uk.com and ask about the WorkWell project. Our project delivery partners for WorkWell Preston are: Beanstalk Skills Academy Lancashire Community Finance Preston North End Community & Education Trust
Onward
Onward Homes is one of the largest registered providers of social housing based solely in the North West of England, with 35,000 homes across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire. Onward’s purpose is to enable customers to be their best by providing homes that people love in places they are proud of. One of the ways Onward enables customers to be their best is through 1st Call, the not-for-profit’s flagship support programme which is designed to help local people with employment and training support, financial support and applications and general housing advice. As part of the Workwell Preston project, 1st Call’s experienced mentors will work closely with those who have health barriers to understand their specific needs, aspirations, and challenges, to develop a personalised action plan with support from local partners that will help participants take positive steps forward. For more information or to get in touch with 1st Call, please visit Onward’s website (onward.co.uk/employment), email 1stcallreferral@onward.co.uk or call 0300 555 0133.
Sahara
Sahara in Preston is a voluntary organisation for women, working predominantly for the benefit of black and minority ethnic (BME) women. We provide a free, professional and confidential service in a comfortable and caring environment. Support for WorkWell participants will include: Course registrations Job Search and online application support Swimming classes Confidence boosting training Volunteering Coffee afternoon sessions. To find out more about the support available from Sahara contact Sherin Khanomon 01772 702090, 07411 218130 or sherikhanom@gmail.com. For more information on Sahara visit their website, www.saharainpreston.org.uk
Better GLL
Our physical activity on referral (PARS) programme is specifically designed to assist individuals who are inactive, at risk of developing health conditions or managing existing conditions that can benefit from increased physical activity. The programme’s objective is to help participants safely enhance their activity levels and develop the confidence and skills needed to independently meet the recommended daily physical activity guidelines. Contact: Healthwise.Preston@gll.org or 07302 004358. More information on Better available at www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/preston.
Lancashire Women
Lancashire Women offer a whole person approach to supporting women which is trauma informed and can be accessed directly by women themselves and / or through a referral. We can help with : Offer groups and 121 support for Women in a safe space 121 employment support for women with physical or mental health issues (in or out of work) Money and energy advice- FCA regulated, budgeting, benefits check, PIP forms, female handyperson helping with small energy jobs- rented and home ownership Groups building confidence, one off workshops, vision boarding, recovering with confidence and more! Coffee and Crafts drop in- all refreshments and materials provided Trauma informed addiction and recovery support Central Preston location- Norwest Court, Floor 1, Guildhall St, Preston. PR1 3NU. We also work in the prevention and rehabilitation of women connected to the criminal justice system with expertise in addressing multiple and complex unmet needs of women who have been moved from pillar to post across services and agencies. Our Work Well initiative aims to support women in Preston in achieving a balance between health and employment. Our unique model combines therapy with tailored, practical employment advice and guidance, recognising that work can play a crucial role in well-being and recovery. Whether you’re seeking a new job, facing challenges in your current role, or planning to return to work after a break, our dedicated team is here to assist you in taking the next step. Find out more on the Lancashire Women website and follow them at @LancashireWomen
