Health Works, it really does!
Our Health Works programme in Plymouth works in three of
our most deprived neighbourhoods to help people on health related
benefits make the transition back to work. We recently
completed a report for Plymouth City Council, who fund the project,
and soon realised the dramatic effect it has had on people's
lives.
When the programme started in December 2006
Plymouth had over 31,000 residents who were considered economically
inactive, higher than the average for the rest of the South West,
with around 14,000 claiming incapacity benefit across the City.
It was unemployed couple, Heather and Trefor who saw their
lives change in so many ways after a friend had recommended the
Health Works programme to them.
Despite having little or no work experience,
and with their confidence extremely low, their consultant,
Catherine, started to look at what they could do, not what they
couldn’t. Consultant Cat Thomas said, “We were able to create CVs
to highlight their transferable skills, using motivational
interviewing techniques such as MAPS (Measuring Attitudes and
Personal Styles) and also did an in work benefit calculation to
show how much better off they would be in work. This proved to be a
huge motivator in realising the benefits of work.”
After help with jobsearch, calling local
employers, practicing applications and interviews Heather was
successful, and was offered a job working as a cleaner at the local
shopping centre. When her employer asked if she knew of any
other suitable candidates she recommended Trefor and with help from
Health Works he was also successful.
Their employer has been thrilled with the
standard of their work and commitment to their new jobs. Heather
and Trefor are still in work today and their lives have changed in
such a powerful and positive way.
Heather has lost 3 stone in weight since
starting regular employment, and has started a weight loss
programme.
“I am feeling so much better than I did a
year ago, the support I got was amazing and people were so
friendly. I started to lose the weight and now I have the
extra cash to join Slimming World.”
Trefor has been able to make some home
improvements now he has a regular wage, “It has been great to
earn my own money, I have even treated us recently to a new plasma
screen TV.”
The couple have never been late or missed a
days work, and are currently looking forward to a holiday in
Florida in September!