Greater Manchester’s £7 million involvement in National DWP WorkWell pilot: a life-changing opportunity for residents facing health barriers to employment.
Salford’s WorkWell pilot is a partnership between Salford City Council and Salford CVS in the city of Salford. A partnership focused on Salford’s needs.
At Salford CVS we are an organisation at the heart of the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, we are committed to improving the lives of residents through targeted health and wellbeing initiatives. Our strategic role in the city allows us to deliver impactful programmes that are directly aligned with local priorities, helping to reduce inequalities and improve the overall quality of life for those living in Salford. Salford CVS lead on social prescribing and skills development through Wellbeing Matters VCSE social prescribing programme in Salford and the Elevate Salford VCSE learning, skills and work programme making us the ideal partner for WorkWell Salford and to make a difference in Salford.
Salford CVS are thrilled to announce we have employed a have a dedicated Community Connector on our Wellbeing Matters Social Prescribing programme to focus on WorkWell in Salford, alongside the City Council’s own skills & work and health improvement teams.
Our Community Connector can support Salford patients who require further support for their health and wellbeing if they have been off work or unemployed for under 12 months. This could support patients who have a long-standing fit note, who may be facing health challenges, that make it difficult to stay in work or search for alternative employment. offering a strengths-based approach to working towards employment by improving health and wellbeing. Referrals to our WorkWell Community Connector are made through our GP practices in Salford. Working with our Elevate Salford programme to connect referrals to a range of services to support, train and prepare people furthest from the labour market, to gain skills, training and employment via the strong charity sector in Salford.
Each individual participating in WorkWell will receive tailored support in the form of one-to-one appointments, information and community options available to them. Our Community Connector will support to motivate and review progress and recommend further actions and activities related to the personalised action plan.
Reece, our Community Connector, has shared that individuals connected to the programme have expressed gratitude for the support available through their GP practices. Many participants have noted the importance of having a dedicated, consistent point of contact to guide them through their journey.
Participants have shared positive feedback about their experiences, with some stating:
“I now feel optimistic about the future”
and “
I didn’t know there were so many options out there that could help me."