What’s this project all about?
This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
A Healthy Working Life project delivered by Live Well Wakefield, is supporting people to stay in work where possible, or return to work when life or health challenges get in the way. By combining work coaching, health coaching and social prescribing, the service helps people tackle the real-life issues affecting their wellbeing and employment, from caring responsibilities and financial stress to long-term health conditions and workplace challenges.
The stories below use changed names to protect identities, but each is based on a real example of how Live Well Wakefield has supported local people to improve their health, wellbeing and working lives.
“Work can play a huge role in someone’s wellbeing, confidence and recovery,” says Social Prescribing Services Manager Rebecca Dunford. “Our role is to look at the whole person - not just the symptoms they’re experiencing - and help them overcome the barriers stopping them from staying in or returning to work.”
Rebecca adds: “Often, the issues affecting someone’s ability to work aren’t medical in themselves. They’re practical, emotional or social challenges. By taking the time to understand what matters most to each person, we can connect them with the right support at the right time.”
Balancing caring responsibilities and work
For Mary, a supermarket worker and single mum, the pressure of caring for her elderly mother, raising her children and managing a household became overwhelming. Stress and emotional exhaustion led to her being signed off work by her GP.
Through a personalised care conversation with Live Well Wakefield, Mary identified her emotional wellbeing as a priority. She was supported to access confidence-building workshops and carer services, while social care support was arranged for her mum. With her caring responsibilities reduced, Mary was able to return to work sooner and speak openly with her employer about adjustments. She now reports a healthier work-life balance and improved emotional wellbeing.
A similar story came from Sarah, a single parent juggling part-time retail work, a home baking business and caring for her three-year-old daughter with complex health needs. Stress and isolation led to sickness absence. Live Well Wakefield helped Sarah explore anxiety management techniques, resources to help her sleep better and respite options through local family support hubs. Within a month, she returned to work and successfully negotiated more flexible hours - reducing stress and helping her manage family life better.
Supporting carers under pressure
Nancy was struggling to balance part-time work with caring full-time for her partner, while managing her own health conditions. Financial pressures, unsuitable housing and a lack of local support after moving to Wakefield left her feeling burnt out and isolated.
Live Well Wakefield provided a listening ear and practical support, helping Nancy explore options for social housing, financial advice and equipment to make daily life easier. A simple intervention - providing a RADAR key for accessible facilities - gave Nancy and her partner more confidence to leave the house and reconnect with their community.
“Sometimes small changes can make a huge difference,” says Rebecca. “Practical support can ease stress, improve confidence and create the breathing space someone needs to stay in work.”
Managing long-term health conditions at work
Charlotte has faced a series of serious health challenges since developing long covid in 2020, followed by further illness and extended sick leave. Determined to stay in work, she sought support to better manage fatigue, health anxiety and her overall wellbeing.
Live Well Wakefield offered Charlotte a safe space to talk through her concerns and helped her access workshops on managing fatigue and wellbeing at work, alongside trusted NHS resources. She also received information to help her make informed decisions about possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) assessments. With supportive employers already in place, Charlotte is building the tools she needs to remain well.
Reducing financial stress to protect employment
Sarah B was working only a few contracted hours each week but wanted to increase them. However, the emotional impact of her stepfather’s terminal cancer diagnosis had led to overspending, debt and severe anxiety and depression, leaving her at risk of losing her job.
Live Well Wakefield worked with Sarah to address both practical and emotional needs. She was referred for debt management support and connected with mental health services to help her understand and manage emotional triggers linked to spending.
Sarah says the support has already made a difference: “Thank you, I feel like I’m being listened to.”
Overcoming workplace and physical health challenges
For Debbie, relationship difficulties at work and upcoming multiple joint replacement surgeries were affecting both her mental and physical health. After self-referring to Live Well Wakefield, Debbie was supported to engage with talking therapies and explore practical aids and adaptations to maintain her independence at home and prepare for recovery after surgery.
By identifying equipment to support dressing, mobility and daily living before her operation, Debbie hopes to speed up her recovery and return to work safely as soon as possible.
Rebecca says: “These stories show the value of looking beyond a diagnosis or a fit note. By bringing together health coaching, work support and social prescribing, we can help people take control of their wellbeing and move forward positively.”
“Through Healthy Working Life, Live Well Wakefield continues to demonstrate that supporting people to stay in or return to work can improve health outcomes, build resilience and strengthen communities.”
You can also view the 'where wellbeing and work come together – real stories, real impact' case study as a PDF.