Healthy Working Life - Kirklees

Who runs it?

Kirklees Council Employment & Skills Service

What we do

We offer support to anyone living in Kirklees to break down barriers they may face when moving into employment, progressing within their career and developing their skills. People can access bespoke support, tailored specifically to their needs and future aspirations. Whether they need help developing their CV, practising interview techniques or would like support in building confidence to secure that dream job.

We can also offer information and guidance to employed residents who are looking to improve their job status, helping them to assess future career plans, supporting them in identifying qualifications, sourcing better work opportunities, helping to find their next job role or career challenge and ensuring they have the skills needed to develop and thrive.

Who we are for

Anyone living in Kirklees who is looking for employment support to find work, progress in their existing roles or develop their skills.

Contacts and more information

• Website: kirklees.gov.uk/beta/employment-and-skills/employment-support.aspx
• Ring: 01484 225016 (Option 1)
• Email: employmentandskills@kirklees.gov.uk

Who runs it?

Locala Health and Wellbeing

What we do

We start with a personalised check-up to find out what's stopping you from working, and to better understand your needs and motivations. You'll then work with a dedicated employment navigator and health professional to create your personal action plan, based on clear, realistic, achievable steps. This plan will be your guide to getting into work and will include learning to manage your own health and wellbeing.

Your employment navigator will work with you from beginning to end, offering post-employment support developing a three or six-month supported pathway. We will also connect you to partners like Get Set Goal, Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL), Kirklees College, and Third Sector Leaders (TSL) if these will suit your needs.

Who we are for

All people in Kirklees aged 18-64 who are not working.

More information

• Website: locala.org.uk/services/wellness-to-work
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/EiGS-DtEo68?si=nfKVcRCfOfgXNHNp

Who runs it?

Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL)

What we do

This is a bespoke, easy-to-access structured exercise programme. We offer a free 12-week guided exercise programme that also helps you change habits and build confidence. After the programme, you can join KAL's Active Movers membership and get continued support. You can be referred by someone or refer yourself through a dedicated website.

Who we are for

People who are:

• at risk of falling out of work due to ill health
• out of work due to ill health and unable to look for work as a result
• had a period of sickness from work lasting seven days or more within the last six months 

More information

• Website: kal.org.uk/health-wellbeing/fitness-for-work/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/h8cko50zSAU?si=sVnaS4mhLrdmuovB

Who runs it?

University of Huddersfield

What we do

We offer wellbeing coaching to people who might have to stop working because of their health. Healthcare students from the university provide one-on-one coaching sessions (usually up to six people). We use a coaching style to help people set and reach their wellbeing goals and make healthy changes. We can also offer workplace-based wellbeing workshops.

Who we are for

Employees in various types of organisations, including small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), independent care services, charities (VCSE), healthcare and self-employed people who are experiencing health problems.

More information

• Website: hud.ac.uk/gsg/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/9jsOaSnm9p4?si=FzBcaPuT2IHQ6PYF

Who runs it?

Carers Count Kirklees and Cloverleaf Advocacy.

What we do

Help employers identify, engage, support and retain working carers within their workforce. We provide practical guidance, tools and resources to help organisations create carer-friendly workplaces where employees balancing work and caring responsibilities can thrive.

Who we are for

Employers who are just starting to explore this area or looking to strengthen existing support, we're here to help you build a more inclusive, supportive, and productive working environment.

More information

• Website: Carers Count Kirklees

Who runs it?

Kirklees Council

What we do

A small-grants scheme that funds local charities, community and grassroots (VCSE) groups to pilot new, community-based projects. The aim is to get health and wellbeing groups working jointly with employment support groups so residents get better, combined services. The focus is on economically inactive people - helping them remove barriers and take early steps towards improved wellbeing, skills and employment, with delivery aligned to the Employment Kirklees service and aimed especially at those not reached by mainstream provision.

Who it's for

Groups working with people in Kirklees aged 18+ who are economically inactive, particularly those with health conditions or disabilities.

More information

• Contact: Trailblazer@kirklees.gov.uk

Who runs it?

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT)

What we do

This initiative expands capacity within the secondary care IPS service to deliver specialist work retention support using the principles of the evidence-based IPS model.

Our approach focuses on:

• working in line with individual preferences in all aspects of job retention and support planning
• applying a zero-exclusion eligibility criterion and delivering rapid, intensive intervention from the point of referral
• providing personalised, consent-based support to both the individual and their employer
• offering access to evidence-informed workplace wellbeing resources and interventions
• supporting informed decision-making around disclosure of mental health conditions, including the potential benefits of sharing relevant information with employers to secure appropriate adjustments and support
• equipping individuals with clear information about their workplace rights and entitlements under relevant equality and disability legislation, and (where necessary) advising employers on their legal responsibilities
• delivering time-unlimited, individualised follow-along supports for as long as the person wishes to receive them

Who we are for

Adults who are in work and struggling, in-work but off sick and also those in-work and considering an alternative role to help improve their wellbeing. Our support is commissioned for adults with severe and complex mental health needs and must currently be in receipt of support from secondary care mental health services including the core, enhanced and early intervention in psychosis teams.

Who runs it?

Change Grow Live Kirklees

What we do

Help people who are opiate users get or keep a suitable job. Change Grow Live (CGL) Kirklees already has a successful service and doesn't turn anyone away. The employment specialist will work closely with the opiates team and their clients to:

• help people create vocational profiles (which show their skills and job interests)
• find job opportunities by meeting with employers
• provide support for writing CVs and preparing for interviews
• work with employers to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace
• offer support for the first four months once someone is in work

Who we are for

People who are opiate users and are already part of the Change Grow Live Kirklees service.

More information

• Website: changegrowlive.org/huddersfield #employment

Who runs it?

Cora Health

What we do

Pain is a huge problem for the UK. The spread of misinformation can be a huge barrier to effective care and positive progress. Learning more about pain can change the way people see and treat persistent pain - it can reduce the fear around it and change how pain feels.

Very little of the discoveries made around pain have filtered down to the people and professionals that need them most. Those struggling deserve better. Flippin' Pain is here to help.

Flippin' Pain is a public health movement that shares the latest science of pain, through:

• a digital activation programme for people living with persistent pain, 'why we hurt': a series of videos, downloadable materials and interactive tasks that explains the science of pain in a fun, engaging way
• upskilling professionals, particularly in primary care, to support people with persistent pain

Who we are for

Anyone living with persistent pain (often called chronic or long-term pain) and any professional who works with people struggling.

More information

• Website: flippinpain.co.uk

Who runs it?

Kirklees College

What we do

Kirklees College has a central health and wellbeing hub at Kirklees College sites. The hub helps students live healthier lives and make lasting changes to manage health conditions that might stop them from getting or keeping jobs. The hub brings together health education, direct healthcare services and partnerships with the NHS and other health services. The hub offers:

targeted help for students whose health is a barrier to employment

on-campus health services like health checks, counselling and screenings

supported inclusive work opportunities

We also encourage health programmes to be included as part of college courses, introduce digital resources and training for staff and build partnerships between the college, NHS, local council, businesses and other support services.

Who we are for

Students enrolled at Kirklees College with health conditions that make it hard to find or keep a job.

More information

• Website: kirkleescollege.ac.uk/supporting-you
• Contact (Student Services): studentservices@kirkleescollege.ac.uk

Who runs it?

C+K Careers

What we do

Support for young people aged 16 to 25 living in Kirklees who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) and are experiencing health or mental health issues, to help address and stabilise health issues, build aspirations to work and access mainstream employability support programmes, including:

• one-to-one support from a keyworker to explore career opportunities, address barriers, access benefits, etc
• access to peer group sessions, including social hubs and job clubs
• volunteering and work experience opportunities

More information

• Website: ckcareers.co.uk/services-for-adults/adult-contracts
• Contact: healthyworkinglife@ckcareers.org.uk
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/6xID5umDWRI?si=O4qsOtanHMtaohnK

Who runs it?

Fresh Futures

What we do

Elevate is a service for young people aged 18 to 26. We have two main parts:

• community engagement - focusing on building confidence, self-esteem and life skills. We offer weekly activities co-designed with young people, such as yoga, gardening and volunteering. There's also a weekly drop-in space
• employability - helping young people who are furthest from getting a job, especially those with complex issues. We run one-week programmes, covering important job skills like writing CVs, practising for interviews and searching for jobs. We also provide life skills workshops and guest speakers, plus breakfast, lunch and travel help. Participants get 10-day work placements and support from a dedicated worker

Who we are for

Young adults aged 18 to 26. This includes those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), are unsure about what career to choose, lack confidence, or face many challenges to working, including disabilities and health conditions.

More information

• Website: freshfutures.org.uk/events/elevate/