Suffolk Mind launches new employment service to help people with mental health challenges

Suffolk Mind has launched a new service in Ipswich and Felixstowe to help people with mental health challenges gain or retain employment.

Suffolk Work Well is a free service providing a supportive back-to-work system, one-to-one support sessions with a dedicated Case Worker and better in-work support through a Personal Wellbeing Plan. The programme will be tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of the individual and will enable people to understand their emotional needs in order to stay well.

Almost one in three people have experienced mental health problems while in employment and mental ill-health is the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK. (1)

Tony Wooderson, Suffolk Work Well Co-ordinator said: “We know that appropriate work, combined with the right support, is good for people’s mental health. Suffolk Work Well will fill the gap that we identified after engaging with some people who have previously used Suffolk Mind’s services  who could not find the continued support to manage their wellbeing once they had obtained employment. Suffolk Work Well was a logical step in the variety of services that Suffolk Mind offers.

“What we think makes Suffolk Work Well unique is that we support the client even once they gain employment and where appropriate liaise with employers. That support continues because we know a new job can bring added pressure that could affect ones wellbeing.

“We are really excited to run this pilot in Suffolk; we will provide individually tailored support for clients regardless of where they are in their employment journey.”

This project is funded for two years from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. To self-refer or for more information visit the Suffolk Mind website. You can also be referred through your Jobcentre, your HR Team, your GP, Support Worker, Care Coordinator or Psychiatrist who can email the service suffolkworkwell@suffolkmind.org.uk to gain referral forms.

*(1) Source: Time to Change