www.cornwallvsf.org
WorkWell Cornwall Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (CIOS) is one of 15 areas to pilot a new service called WorkWell. WorkWell is a joint scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). WorkWell is a prevention service to support those most recently out of work due to sickness, or those who are in work but are at risk of being signed off sick. The aim of WorkWell is to connect people with physical or mental health struggles and/or disabilities to local support services to help them maintain and sustain employment, or if recently unemployed, support them to return to work.
Suzy’s Story Building confidence, skills and resilience
Suzy - A WorkWell Story
WorkWell is an early-intervention independent work and health assessment and provision of light touch, low-intensity support service. Work & Health Coaches take a person-centred, holistic approach and provide tailored assistance supporting individuals to address their work and health needs, and to overcome barriers to work. People will be able to access general help, support, information, guidance and connections to services via the telephone and can receive additional face-to-face work and health coaching if required.
Suzy is 53 years old, from West Cornwall, and has been working for her current employer for 3 years. Unfortunately, Suzy has experienced a lot of health issues this year and is on a 3-month waiting list for an important operation. Suzy’s health issues are having a big impact on her wellbeing at work. Suzy faces regular fatigue and infections and has to live with challenging side effects from her treatment. Suzy is also deeply worried about her health and the impact her operation will have on her sick record. Suzy feels that her manager and employer have not been understanding about her recent sick leave. Suzy is stressed, anxious, and has been ‘close to tears’ during her time at work. She had a recent meeting with her manager where her sickness levels were discussed—this meeting did not go well and compounded an already difficult situation. Suzy had no warning to attend the meeting, and even though her manager said, ‘How can we help you?’ Suzy felt too upset to be able to gather her thoughts to answer. Suzy didn’t feel heard and was worried about how she would be treated after the operation and during the recovery period. Suzy’s manager also advised that her work qualification could be put on hold because of her sickness record—this is causing further anxiety as this is her pathway to promotion, which she strives for. Suzy was at a crossroads and didn’t know which way to turn. Following a recent health check, Suzy’s local GP put her in contact with WorkWell - and following an initial conversation, Suzy was referred to a WorkWell coach, who listened to Suzy as she explained her concerns about her health, work, and mental wellbeing. The WorkWell coach was able to support Suzy so she could prepare herself to be at optimal fitness for her operation and helped Suzy to understand all her work strengths and positive achievements - Suzy felt ready to reinforce this with her Manager. Together, Suzy and her WorkWell coach were able to discuss what additional support and understanding Suzy may need to adjust her physical duties to be temporarily lighter. They prepared some questions for her medical team regarding her treatment plan, and they also discussed questions that Suzy could ask her manager at the next back-to-work interview. The Impact of a WorkWell Coach What’s next for Suzy?
We have supported many people with musculoskeletal pain issues, depression and anxiety and those on waiting lists for operations or other clinical treatment. Examples of how we have supported people include funding additional counselling, financial support to do online qualifications to fit with their life and health, and guidance on how to discuss their needs with employers, how to build confidence at work and how to manage your health condition, plus help with CV writing and job search skills.
To be eligible for this support people should be:
• Aged 16 years and over • Have a home, GP or Job Centre address in Cornwall • Have a physical and/or mental health struggle • Be in work, off sick from work or recently out of work due to health issues
Following the conversations with her WorkWell coach, Suzy felt more confident, resilient, positive, and prepared to have productive conversations with her employer. Suzy could also demonstrate her commitment and passion for her work by being involved in the WorkWell programme. Suzy was able to move forward and reduce her anxiety about her upcoming operation. Knowing that a robust plan of action was put in place meant that her return to work would be positive, with her manager having a fuller understanding of her health and wellbeing needs.
More information about the project can be found at www.cornwallvsf.org/connecting/services/welcome-to-workwell/ including information on the referral routes.
28
29
29
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting