New action to help people with health issues into work

Employment and health providers in the City of Wolverhampton have joined forces to help people with health issues get into work.

The council’s skills and public health teams recently hosted a summit to discuss the links between health and employment in the city.

There are more than 12,000 people in the city who are not working due to a health-related condition – almost half with mental health issues.

Around 50 organisations and providers attended the summit at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, including Recovery Near You, SUIT, Shaw Trust, Remploy, City of Wolverhampton College, Access 2 Business, YMCA, Gecko and Adult Education Wolverhampton.

As a result, employment providers are now working together to deliver key actions, such as developing an enhanced skills and employment offer for people with substance misuse issues, better links between mental health providers and employability providers, mental health first aid training, and more accessible information about health and work provision on the city’s Workbox pages: www.wolvesworkbox.com.

Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:

As part of our city skills agenda it is essential we consider the needs of all residents in finding work. The council’s skills and public health teams have identified links between health and employment in the city. But in order to find solutions it is crucial providers in both areas work closely together to provide vital support to those who face barriers to work due to health reasons.”

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, added:

We know that having an excellent education and a stable and rewarding job are among the key factors which will have a positive impact on someone’s health and wellbeing of people, and so I am delighted that the council and its partners are focusing on how we can get more people with health issues into work.”

As part of the new approach, Remploy’s Thrive into Work project is now live in the City of Wolverhampton and provides enhanced support to people with mental health conditions to access work.

Referrals can be made through www.thriveintowork.org.uk, where further information can also be found.

ENDS