Groundwork Tameside

Worklessness and mental health-challenges and workable solutions

Kim Farr September 2005

Incapacity Benefit Clients

• What are they all about? What are the challenges?

• What is Groundwork Tameside doing?• How do we recruit clients?• What have we learned?• Workable solutions

What are they all about?

• Backgrounds can include accidents, cancer, cardio-respiratory problems, back problems and a very wide range of mental health issues

• Many clients are very keen to work

• Clients will typically have been out of work for between 1 and 7 years

The Challenges

• Many clients still have serious health problems and a diary full of medical appointments

• Confidence and self esteem are key issues

• Many clients are looking at career changes

• For most participants, this is a staged long term plan, not a quick fix

Groundwork Tameside Projects 1

• SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS

• Overview of programme

• Case studies

Groundwork Tameside Projects 2

• ABILITY FIRST

• Overview of course

Groundwork Tameside Projects 3

• CONDITION MANAGEMENT

• Overview of course

Groundwork Tameside Projects 4

• MOVING FORWARD

• Overview of course

How do we recruit?

• Referrals from mental health projects• Formal partnerships with Derbyshire PCT

and Jobcentre Plus disability advisers• Referrals from CPN networks• Self referral

What have we learned?

• Providing some structure is useful to clients• A relaxed delivery and lots of praise and

encouragement is vital• The group is important –they feel less alone and

support each other• Solutions are very individual and it takes time!

Workable Solutions

• Many project participants are concerned about disclosure of mental health issues –a statement in any adverts about welcoming such applicants would be helpful

• Part time work is likely to be most popular

More Workable Solutions

• If there is an ongoing recruitment need then fliers circulated to all relevant projects would be helpful

• Supporting employees with mental health issues during the first month is crucial

Even More Workable Solutions!

• Visit mental health employment projects for 30 minutes to outline possible vacancies and encourage applicants

• Develop case studies about success stories and then get those employees to recruit for you

Contact DetailsKim Farr

Groundwork Tameside

Birchcroft

Crowthorne Road

Ashton under Lyne

0161 342 6775 kim.farr@groundwork.org.uk