WorkWell Preston

What is WorkWell?

WorkWell is a new pilot that aims to help people with low physical health and health conditions to start and stay in work.

This service is free and voluntary, and as part of the offer, participants will have access to a Work and Health Coach/Mentor.

Together, they will agree realistic and reasonable next steps that can form part of a personalised support plan. This can include helping you to improve your physical and or mental health. Work and Health Coaches will consider the full range of available local support and provide signposting, tailored to individual need.

The Preston WorkWell project is particularly interested in working with the following groups: people of Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, Ex Offenders, Young People and Women, who also meet the criteria below.

Complete a referral form to WorkWell Preston


Who is WorkWell aimed at?

  • Recently unemployed (less than 6 months) with a low level physical or health condition
    • Individuals with a work capability assessment who are currently unemployed and living within the Preston area
  • In work - inactive 
    • Staff within Preston based Employers who don’t have an occupational health offer and are currently off work due to a long term health condition (more than four weeks but not longer than six months absence period).
  • In work - active
    • Staff within Preston based Employers who don’t have an occupational health offer and who have a reported long term health condition, who are in work but are at risk of dropping out of the workforce.

What will participants get?

  • Gain insight
    • When a participant joins WorkWell, they will be allocated a Work and Health coach/mentor who understands both health and work and the impact they can have on each other.
  • Time to talk
    • Participants can discuss the impact their health condition has on their life as well as any challenges they face with managing their health in work. Their coach will listen and talk through any concerns or questions they may have in confidence. The aim is to understand their needs and hopes for the future so they can be better supported.
  • A personalised plan
    • Their coach will work with them to identify and agree realistic and appropriate next steps as part of a tailored support plan. It will be up to them to decide whether they take up these suggestions.
  • Ongoing support
    • Their coach can continue to provide support as needed and help them understand and access the services or resources that are available. This could include healthcare professionals, community sector services, health promotion programmes, more intensive employment support, and much more. 

What is included within the coaching programme?

The Work and Health Coaches/Mentors will offer individualised support for up to 12 weeks which will include:

  • A person centred , holistic initial assessment to identify barriers to employment
  • Return to work/thrive in work planning, with clear objectives that address physical, psychological and social needs
  • Employer liaison, if the participant consents, to share the work plan and provide work related advice
  • Advice for employers on workplace adjustments
  • Personalised work and health support through low intensity appointments to take stock of progress and recommend further actions and activities

Get Involved

Contact any of the partners listed below which have helped to develop this support in partnership with Preston City Council.

OR

Complete the below referral form on the button or by scanning the QR code, or call us on 07465 759911 to find out more about the support on offer.

Please complete and sign the WorkWell Preston Participant Information Sheet before completing the referral form.

If you are accepted for support under this project gives us permission to share your data with our partners and is a pre requisite of being accepted on to the WorkWell Project.   

Complete a referral form to WorkWell Preston

WorkWell Preston Partners

Active Lancashire 

Active Lancashire’s WorkWell support is tailored to support those who have experienced substance misuse, mental health issues, are ex offenders or are about to leave prison. Our key focus is to engage people into activities to: build their resilience, connect with other people, integrate them back into their community, build confidence/self-esteem, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

It offered personalised support tailored to individual needs. Support includes: 

  • Mentoring
  • GP Support
  • Free Bikes
  • Weekly Activities
  • Volunteering 
  • Employment Support
  • Links to recovery community
  • Sign posting to additional services

Contact Paul on 07732 156060 or [email protected] to find out more about the support on offer. 

Selnet Ltd

Selnet are leading a partnership of local specialist organisations to deliver a range of support through WorkWell. Tailored support is focussed on helping people with health conditions to start and stay in work – combining expert advice, experience and coaching with improving access to services, our network offers a broad spectrum of specialisms and local knowledge.

Selnet’s experience in supporting social enterprises and small businesses to develop and grow also means we are ideally placed to support people who are self employed or who work in small businesses.

If you have any questions, or need to talk through which of our partner organisations would be best for you, contact Alison or Daisy at Selnet on 01772 200 690 or email [email protected] and ask about the WorkWell project.

 Our project delivery partners for WorkWell Preston are:

Onward

Onward Homes is one of the largest registered providers of social housing based solely in the North West of England, with 35,000 homes across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire. Onward’s purpose is to enable customers to be their best by providing homes that people love in places they are proud of.

One of the ways Onward enables customers to be their best is through 1st Call, the not-for-profit’s flagship support programme which is designed to help local people with employment and training support, financial support and applications and general housing advice. As part of the Workwell Preston project, 1st Call’s experienced mentors will work closely with those who have health barriers to understand their specific needs, aspirations, and challenges, to develop a personalised action plan with support from local partners that will help participants take positive steps forward.

For more information or to get in touch with 1st Call, please visit Onward’s website (onward.co.uk/employment), email [email protected] or call 0300 555 0133.

Sahara

Sahara in Preston is a voluntary organisation for women, working predominantly for the benefit of black and minority ethnic (BME) women. We provide a free, professional and confidential service in a comfortable and caring environment. Support for WorkWell participants will include: 

  • Course registrations
  • Job Search and online application support
  • Swimming classes
  • Confidence boosting training
  • Volunteering
  • Coffee afternoon sessions. 

To find out more about the support available from Sahara contact Naghmana on 01772 702090, 07438 497601 or [email protected]. For more information on Sahara visit their website, www.saharainpreston.org.uk 

Better / GLL

Our physical activity on referral (PARS) programme is specifically designed to assist individuals who are inactive, at risk of developing health conditions or managing existing conditions that can benefit from increased physical activity. The programme's objective is to help participants safely enhance their activity levels and develop the confidence and skills needed to independently meet the recommended daily physical activity guidelines. 

Contact: [email protected] or 07302 004358. More information on Better available at www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/preston

Lancashire Women

Lancashire Women offer a whole person approach to supporting women which is trauma informed and can be accessed directly by women themselves and / or through a referral.

We can help with :

  • Mental health issues and general health and well-being
  • Money Advice / Debt and wider welfare support issues
  • Getting into employment with coaching, skills development and confidence building
  • We also work in the prevention and rehabilitation of women connected to the criminal justice system with expertise in addressing multiple and complex unmet needs of women who have been moved from pillar to post across services and agencies.

Our Work Well initiative aims to support women in Preston in achieving a balance between health and employment. Our unique model combines therapy with tailored, practical employment advice and guidance, recognising that work can play a crucial role in well-being and recovery. Whether you're seeking a new job, facing challenges in your current role, or planning to return to work after a break, our dedicated team is here to assist you in taking the next step.

Find out more on the Lancashire Women website and follow them at @LancashireWomen


Why is this free?

WorkWell is a Lancashire and South Cumbria partnership project, commissioned by the DWP & Dept. for Health & Social Care. Led by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for Lancashire and South Cumbria, It aims to support those with health conditions and disabilities get into and stay in work. In Preston, the project is delivered by Active Lancashire on behalf of Preston City Council.

Benefits to employers

There are also benefits to employers and we are keen to engage with employers within Preston. The support provided to Preston employers will:

  • Reduce absence, reduce the number of staff working when unwell, achieve greater productivity: WorkWell Preston has been designed to address the needs of staff who are in danger of falling out of work. The programme aims to empower your employee with the knowledge and the support needed to overcome obstacles to ensure they remain in work and be productive.
  • Stay competitive and profitable: Retention of staff knowledge and experience is becoming increasingly critical in a competitive jobs market. WorkWell Preston could support employers to retain valuable staff, which can help reducing retraining and recruitment costs as well as protecting organisational knowledge from being lost.
    Support staff and build understanding WorkWell Preston gives support to employers of all sizes and helps fill knowledge gaps around how to support an employee who is unwell.
  • Get help and funding. WorkWell Preston can help managers understand and access a wide range of free support available both nationally and locally to support their staff.
  • Make your business stand out. Diversity in the workplace inclusive of people with disabilities and/or health conditions is a win win. Different perspectives and experiences aid workforce understanding and cohesion. Consideration of people with disabilities can make businesses more appealing for consumers and for prospective talent in the labour market.

Paul Becouarn
WorkWell Project Officer
Contact Paul
Complete a referral form

Selnet deliver a range of support through WorkWell

Find out more about their offer
Active Partnerships
Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership
LANPAC
SE NL