This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, focused on helping people stay healthy, well and in work.
Locala’s Wellness to Work programme supports people living in Kirklees, aged 18 to 64 who are out of work and want help getting into, or back into, employment. Whether people have been out of work for a while or just need a bit of extra support, the programme offers a personalised approach designed to meet individual needs.
The team starts with a personalised check-up to find out what's stopping someone from working, and to better understand their needs and motivations. A dedicated employment navigator and health professional work with the individual to create a personal action plan, based on clear, realistic, achievable steps. This plan acts as a guide to getting into work as well as managing health and wellbeing. A single employment navigator works with someone from beginning to end, offering post-employment support to develop a three or six-month supported pathway – and signposts to partners like Get Set Goal, Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL), Kirklees College and Third Sector Leaders (TSL).
In this video we hear from employment navigators and participants involved in the programme. Through their stories, it becomes clear how the programme has made a difference, supporting individuals to improve their health and wellbeing, rebuild their confidence and take positive steps towards entering or re-entering sustainable employment. The testimonies highlight the personalised support offered by employment navigators and the positive outcomes achieved to help people overcome barriers and realise their goals.
“If you have work, you have structure as well,” says one participant. Another welcomes “knowing there is someone outside of my close family and friends that I can count on if needs be.”
This video is the third in a series of five videos. See the playlist to find out more.