What's this project all about?
19 December 2025
This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Halifax Opportunities Trust’s (HOT) Work Well Calderdale is part of the Healthy Working Life programme. It supports people who are off work with a fit note due to mental health or musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, recognising that good work is a powerful determinant of health. The programme provides personalised, wraparound support to help individuals rebuild confidence, manage health challenges and plan a sustainable return to work - or remain connected to work - at a pace that supports recovery.
Lisa Connelly, Employment Services Manager at Halifax Opportunities Trust explained:
“We see time and again that remaining connected to work, or feeling able to move towards work, can be a key factor in someone’s mental health recovery. Work isn’t just an economic outcome - it’s a health outcome.”
Tom is in his forties and was referred into the service by his GP after a prolonged period of sickness absence caused by severe burnout and a significant deterioration in his mental health. At the point of referral, Tom felt uncertain about his future, anxious about engaging with services and feared that he might never be able to work again.
Lisa reflected:
“Tom’s fit note wasn’t just about time away from work - it was about preventing further decline. We referred him because early, non-clinical employment support can play a vital role alongside medical care, especially when confidence and identity have been affected.”
Health, confidence and work
Once on the programme, Tom received tailored support from Nicola, Employment Support Key Worker. This included wellbeing-focused coaching, practical advice, and - with Tom’s consent - a referral to specialist partner Unmasked Mental Health for counselling. Support was offered flexibly through face-to-face meetings, telephone calls and email, ensuring accessibility during periods of fluctuating mental health.
“Our focus isn’t about rushing someone back into work. It’s about stabilising wellbeing, rebuilding confidence and helping people see that work can be part of their recovery, not a barrier to it,” explains Nicola.
Through this integrated support, Tom experienced a marked improvement in his wellbeing, confidence and sense of control. He gained greater clarity about his strengths and transferable skills, began exploring new career opportunities and remained connected to work.
Lisa highlights the significance of work as a health outcome:
“Long-term absence can make returning to work feel impossible. Supporting someone to stay psychologically connected to work - even while unwell - can protect mental health and reduce the risk of being out of work for a long time.”
Tom’s counselling sessions through Unmasked Mental Health were a key part of his recovery, helping him develop resilience, process burnout and regain a sense of purpose. Quick access to counselling meant he received support at the point he most needed it, rather than facing a lengthy waiting.
What difference has it made
Through combined support from HOT and Unmasked Mental Health, Tom has:
- regained confidence after a period of severe burnout
- recognised his strengths and transferable skills
- explored new career opportunities
- maintained a connection to work during recovery
- significantly improved his overall wellbeing
These outcomes demonstrate how supporting work participation can directly support health and recovery, rather than waiting for someone to be ‘fully better’ before considering employment.
Tom's experience
Tom says:
“After being on long-term sick leave from work, my GP referred me to Halifax Opportunities Trust and it has genuinely been one of the most supportive services I’ve ever engaged with. From my very first appointment, I felt comfortable, welcomed and able to speak openly and honestly about the issues that had led to my time away from work. The flexibility of the service being able to check in via phone, email and face-to-face meetings - has been incredibly valuable and has made the whole process feel accessible and personalised to my needs.
“Before meeting Nicola, I had assumed the sessions would feel like a job interview, but it couldn’t have been further from that. The environment was relaxed, staff are understanding and focused entirely on my wellbeing and goals. The process has been smooth from the start and has played a huge role in giving me the confidence to explore a career change.
"At the beginning, my mental health and confidence had taken a significant knock. Being off work due to severe burnout was a scary situation to be in. I honestly thought I would never be able to work again. Given my poor mental health and low confidence, with my consent, I was also referred by Nicola to Unmasked, a local mental health counselling charity. I am currently partway through my counselling sessions and the experience has been incredibly empowering. The combination of support from Halifax Opportunities Trust and Unmasked has helped me stay in work, rebuild my confidence, recognise my skills and inner strength, and regain a real sense of purpose.
"Without the help I have received, I can only imagine that I wouldn’t be in such a positive place today. I am truly grateful for the support, understanding and encouragement I’ve been given along the way.”
What's next for the project
Tom’s case highlights the importance of early intervention, personalised wellbeing support and coordinated health-and-employment services. It demonstrates how the Work Well model can be most effective when work is treated as part of recovery, not something to be postponed indefinitely.
Lisa summarised:
“This is a clear example of how community-based employment support complements clinical care. When people feel safe, supported and understood, they’re more able to rebuild their health - and work becomes part of that healing process.”
Tom’s journey also shows the value of services like Halifax Opportunities Trust being delivered within trusted, local community settings. Many participants report feeling more at ease accessing support in neighbourhood centres rather than clinical or statutory environments, enabling honest conversations about health, confidence, work and future goals.
By offering integrated, timely support within local communities - and working alongside clinical teams - this project is helping people avoid long-term absence, protecting their mental health and rebuilding a sense of purpose through meaningful connection to work.
This project is part of Healthy Working Life - reducing the number of people in West Yorkshire who may become unable to work because of ill health. Find out more on our Healthy Working Life website pages.
You can also read the reconnecting health and work - Tom’s journey case study as a pdf file.