South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has announced that it has been awarded funding to help the government deliver a new service to improve work and health.
The region is one of 15 areas that have been selected by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care to support the delivery of the WorkWell partnership. Part of the government’s Back to Work Plan, WorkWell is looking to develop on the previous success of Working Win, the flagship programme of the SYMCA, that has already supported more than 6,500 people with a disability or mental health condition.
Mayor of South Yorkshire, and Chair of the region’s Integrated Care Partnership, Oliver Coppard said:
“The poor health that scars our region doesn’t just hold back our economy, it stops people from making the most of their talents, and enjoying the lives they deserve. That’s why I’m determined to make South Yorkshire the healthiest region in the country, so everyone has the opportunity to stay near and go far.
“And now in support of that ambition, we’re able to build on our hugely successful Working Win programme with £3.5 million to develop WorkWell. That funding is both recognition of our ambition and our success to date, but most importantly it will genuinely help transform the lives of people across South Yorkshire.”
Each of the areas that are involved in the pilot will contribute to the delivery of the new service, offering tailored intervention work as well as support and assessments.
Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive of NHS South Yorkshire, also commented:
“We know that good work and good health are strongly linked, with each affecting the other. That’s why I’m delighted that South Yorkshire has been chosen to show how we can support some of our most vulnerable to find and stay in work. One of our four core purposes of an Integrated Care System is to support the NHS in driving broader economic and social development, and helping people into jobs and stay in them is key to this.”
WorkWell will bring a number of local organisations together to connect the people that they serve to the support that they require. These partners will cover GPs, primary care services, Job Centre Plus, local authorities, employers, and the voluntary community sector.
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