This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Overview
Unemployment and mental health often go hand-in-hand. For many people, mental health challenges can make it harder to find and keep a job - and being out of work can make recovery even harder. That’s where individual placement and support (IPS) comes in. WorkPlace Leeds uses the IPS model to help people with complex mental health needs access personalised, one-to-one support to get back into employment. Backed by strong national evidence, IPS helps people find real, paid jobs that suit their goals - and stay in them.
Mehdi's story
Mehdi's story is a powerful example of how IPS transforms lives.
Ethan Foster, Service Lead - WorkPlace Leeds (IPS Employment Support) said: “When Mehdi came to WorkPlace Leeds, he was facing several challenges. As a refugee who had lived in the UK for many years, he’d been out of work for a long time and was dealing with mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Despite this, he had a clear drive to become financially independent and rebuild his life.
“Mehdi was referred to us through a local community mental health team. He was receiving PIP and Universal Credit, but more than anything, he wanted to work - to find a career that gave him purpose and stability.”
How IPS helped
Mehdi was matched with a dedicated IPS Employment Specialist at WorkPlace Leeds, who worked closely with him to understand his goals and strengths. Mehdi was especially interested in becoming a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver - a new direction he felt excited about. Through IPS Mehdi accessed:
- tailored career planning
- mental health-informed support
- CV and interview support
- disclosure and employer engagement
Ethan explains more: “With Mehdi, we took a really personalised approach right from the start. We spent time exploring realistic career options together - he had a long-term goal of becoming a HGV driver, but we also looked at short-term job opportunities to help build his confidence and generate some income. He came to regular one-to-one sessions where we worked on managing anxiety, developing workplace skills and boosting his confidence - all while recognising how his mental health impacted his motivation and self-belief.
“We also helped him develop a strong CV, practice for interviews and apply for roles that suited his strengths. One of the key steps was working with a local police sergeant to help Mehdi prepare a disclosure statement about his past record. That gave him the confidence to speak openly and positively with potential employers. Mehdi never gave up on the idea that work could help him rebuild his life. Our job was to support him to make it happen - on his terms, at his pace.”
What Mehdi achieved
Thanks to his own determination - and consistent support from WorkPlace Leeds - Mehdi has made huge progress. He:
- secured part-time work as a pizza chef in Pontefract, building his confidence and providing a much-needed source of income
- was accepted onto a 16-week HGV training programme with Hughes Transport, covering both theory and practical driving and including job placement support
- improved his mental health through regular IPS sessions, meaningful activity and community involvement
- built confidence and resilience, balancing part-time work with intensive training - a clear sign of his long-term motivation and drive
Mehdi said: “I finally feel like things are moving forward. I’m excited about the future and proud of what I’ve achieved so far.”
Why IPS matters
Mehdi's story is just one of many that shows how IPS works. It’s more than a job programme - it’s a partnership focused on hope, recovery and opportunity. By combining employment support with mental health care, IPS helps people:
- feel more in control of their lives
- reduce reliance on benefits
- improve wellbeing and confidence
- contribute meaningfully to their community and the economy
“With IPS, we’re not just helping people find jobs – we’re helping them build futures they can be proud of,” said Ethan.
What's next
Mehdi's main goal now is to complete his HGV training and secure full-time employment in the transport sector. He sees this as the key to financial independence and long-term stability.
Ethan added: “We’ll continue to support Mehdi every step of the way - whether it’s helping him apply for HGV roles, preparing for interviews or offering in-work support once he starts. Our aim is to make sure he not only finds a job but feels confident and supported to stay in it and thrive.”
Building on the success of IPS at WorkPlace Leeds we’re continuing and expanding IPS under the Healthy Working Life programme. Funding means we can expand and strengthen our efforts to support people with mental health challenges into meaningful, sustainable employment.
Our aim remains the same - to reduce economic inactivity caused by mental health-related difficulties, support individuals in their recovery and contribute to West Yorkshire’s broader economic growth.
By embedding IPS within mental health services and providing personalised, one-to-one support, we can help more people stay in or return to work - preventing long-term unemployment and promoting better health outcomes.
See our Healthy Working Life website pages to find out more.
You can also read the 'supporting recovery and employment through individual placement and support (IPS)' case study as a pdf document.