Building on the success of the ground breaking Living Well project, a new European funded programme has been testing the best ways to help people with health issues overcome the barriers which prevent them from getting a job.

Led by the Learning Partnership with support from the University of Exeter, and funded by the European Social Fund, the programme has involved 12 partners piloting a range of innovative ways of working with older people and those with mental ill-health, learning difficulties or disability, autism and diabetes to help them into training, job search and employment.

260 people with a range of different health issues have been involved with the three year project with partners developing and then testing bespoke packages of support designed to meet the aspirations and needs of the individuals, and challenging the myths and stereotypes that can act as barriers to people entering the workforce.  One of the key partners is Volunteer Cornwall which has been working with employers and partners to develop links between businesses offering volunteering opportunities and jobseekers.

“Living Well was piloted in the health and social care sector, specifically to help older people at risk of needing repeat emergency hospital admissions, due to their health conditions and living circumstances,” said Priscilla Samuels, from the Learning Partnership. “This showed that an approach which focused on the needs of the person rather than the system produced better results for the individual and reduced the pressures on health and social care services.

“We wanted to use this approach to see how we could help people overcome the barriers created by health issues and become part of the workforce.”

One of the partners taking part in the project is Cascade Educational Theatre Company which worked with people with high functioning autism and Asperger’s to build their confidence and improve their social skills, and provide them with coping strategies to overcome the barriers which have been preventing them from entering training, education, and employment.

Working with Volunteer Cornwall, Cascade held weekly workshop sessions with members of the group over a twelve month period, culminating in an amazing theatrical performance in front of their friends, family and supporters earlier this year.

“We wanted to transform the way in which those with autism viewed themselves and help them to recognise how capable they really were,” said Cascade Director Carol Brooking.  “Part of this involved using drama and creative arts to help members of the group develop confidence, courage, relationship skills, employment skills, motivation and an unshakeable self-belief.

“Many of those with autism find it difficult to interact with each other, with some being unable to even make eye contact with other people. By the end of the programme everyone was helping each other and the final performance was a fantastic example of team work.”

Other partners include the Eden Project, which has been piloting the use of social prescribing activities on the themes of engaging with the outdoors for adults with mental health issues, and walking/exercise groups for people living with diabetes.

One of the people taking part in the project is Sheila whose history of negative relationships had led to her becoming increasingly reluctant to leave her flat. She lost contact with friends and put on weight, and had lost completely her self-confidence and was becoming increasingly anxious when she joined the Eden Diabetes walking group. It was while taking part in a walk that she talked to Natalie from Volunteer Cornwall who discovered her love of cooking and her wish to care for people.

A few weeks later Natalie went with her to visit the St Austell Community Kitchen (STAK), which provides hot meals for vulnerable, needy and homeless people in the local community. Natalie encouraged Sheila to apply to join them and she is now a shift supervisor for the charity, helps with fund raising and is responsible for their social media. Her health has improved, she is learning to drive and has regained her self confidence.

“Without the Living Well to Work programme and Volunteer Cornwall I would not be where I am today,” said Sheila. “I would not have got there on my own because I would not have had the knowledge or the courage to go into STAK and volunteer. Volunteering changed my life around for the better and I am so glad I do it.  I am blessed and enriched by so many things now.”

Natalie is full of praise for Sheila’s achievements. In addition to all the health and confidence benefits of Sheila’s participation in Living Well to Work her social life has changed beyond all recognition in just a few short months.  From almost total social isolation for seven years, seven years!

“She has now made the first steps to re-building her relationship with her family and has made friends via a group online and friends in the real world, she pops to town when she wants, and she is beaming. 

“From the lady I met who hung her head and wanted to blend into the background to a lady who beams, has stories, has increased confidence.  When I ask her about that voice that tells her she is not good enough, she replies that she hears it less and when she does it’s her own voice telling it to shut up that she hears louder. Sheila is a shining light in her community that has been hidden away for too long, a light that inspires others.”