Mental health charity gets funding for job seekers

People who have previously been unable to work due to mental health issues are to receive support to ease them back into employment.

Workbridge, part of mental health charity St Andrew's Healthcare, has been awarded a £60,000 grant from Conservative-controlled West Northamptonshire Council as part of an initiative aimed at "enhancing local skills" in Northampton.

The funding has been provided through the the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will focus on "wellbeing support and an essential skills programme".

Dr Inga Stewart, consultant psychologist at St Andrew's, said: "We all have a responsibility to ensure things are put in place to protect mental health at work."

According to Mental Health UK, 20% of all employees took leave last year because of stress, and poor mental health was the fifth most common reason given for sickness absence.

Dr Stewart said: "More needs to be done to support people in the workplace to prevent work-related mental health conditions, but I also think it’s OK for us to normalise saying 'no'.

"We should be empowering our staff and colleagues to put their mental health first, before anything else."

People who sign up for the five-week programme will be given the opportunity to learn new skills, understand resilience and gain confidence which it is hoped will help them in gaining employment.

Jenny Lane, Workbridge education manager, said: "We're proud to help people living with mental illness, autism, learning disability or brain injury get the chance to build life, vocational and employment skills.

"The council’s funding will ensure we can help more people to thrive. We now have the opportunity to widen our reach and support those in our local community who need a bit of support and time for their emotional wellbeing."

Referrals to the Workbridge vocational programme will be made via the Department for Work and Pensions and Northampton's Wellbeing Launchpad.

However, self-referrals will be accepted if the person meets the criteria.

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