Hundreds of people with health conditions and special needs have been supported into work thanks to employment specialists at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT).
The Thrive Into Work scheme has been extended for two years after the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) received further government funding.
It means the scheme, managed by the WMCA and delivered by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Shaw Trust, can continue to change lives across the West Midlands.
A team of vocational specialists at BCHFT work on the ground to help people find or retain work by working with clients to find suitable jobs, supporting their applications and interviews and continuing to offer support and advice once they are at work.
Across the West Midlands, the team supports people with long-term health conditions, those who identify as neuro-diverse, people with mild learning difficulties, people at risk of homelessness, and those who have been involved with the criminal justice system to find meaningful work that suits their needs.
The Trust has helped over 300 people find work, and over 130 have retained their jobs since November 2020.
One of the scheme's key features is the ease of access for people to access the service, as clients can refer themselves for help, as well as GPs, social prescribers and primary mental health professionals. This has enabled 1,500 people to access support provided by BCHFT via the team's 17 vocational specialists.
As well as helping people find work, vocational specialists also offer advice to clients on how to approach employers about mental health needs, benefits advice and how to manage work alongside their health conditions, all helping to tackle barriers people face in accessing employment.
Leia Compton, a vocational specialist with the Trust, said: “Supporting people to achieve their job goals is so fulfilling. Each individual presents different preferences, barriers and goals which means every journey is new and varied. Giving people the confidence to start their employment journey with us and seeing such a positive impact it has on their health and wellbeing is so rewarding.”
Describing the impact the Thrive Into Work service made on their life, one client said: "The impact of working with Thrive Into Work has made me feel confident, and I feel I am achieving things in my life; I feel I have the old me back which makes me so happy and proud of myself for getting this far in life."
Another client commented on how the service has helped them to talk with their employer about their needs so that their job works for them: "Thrive into Work has had a significant impact. In my previous place of employment, I found myself working overtime nearly every day. This negatively impacted my wellbeing, and most days, I felt down with little hope of moving forward with my career.
"My ADHD feels more manageable now because I'm in a supportive working environment where I can communicate my concerns and adjustments can be put into place."
Vicky Harris, Employment and Recovery Operational Manager at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, added: "I am so proud of the support our Thrive Into Work has provided for people to be able to move into work successfully and to sustain their jobs at times when they need some help to remain in work.
"We know the impact that having 'good' work has on someone's wellbeing, and Thrive into Work has enabled hundreds of people to achieve this."