1. Groundwork Tameside Worklessness and mental health- challenges and workable solutions Kim Farr September 2005

2. Incapacity Benefit Clients What are they all about? What are the challenges? What is Groundwork Tameside doing? How do we recruit clients? What have we learned? Workable solutions

3. What are they all about? Backgrounds can include accidents, cancer, cardio-respiratory problems, back problems and a very wide range of mental health issues Many clients are very keen to work Clients will typically have been out of work for between 1 and 7 years

4. The Challenges Many clients still have serious health problems and a diary full of medical appointments Confidence and self esteem are key issues Many clients are looking at career changes For most participants, this is a staged long term plan, not a quick fix

5. Groundwork Tameside Projects 1 SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS Overview of programme Case studies

6. Groundwork Tameside Projects 2 ABILITY FIRST Overview of course

7. Groundwork Tameside Projects 3 CONDITION MANAGEMENT Overview of course

8. Groundwork Tameside Projects 4 MOVING FORWARD Overview of course

9. How do we recruit? Referrals from mental health projects Formal partnerships with Derbyshire PCT and Jobcentre Plus disability advisers Referrals from CPN networks Self referral

10. What have we learned? Providing some structure is useful to clients A relaxed delivery and lots of praise and encouragement is vital The group is important –they feel less alone and support each other Solutions are very individual and it takes time!

11. Workable Solutions Many project participants are concerned about disclosure of mental health issues –a statement in any adverts about welcoming such applicants would be helpful Part time work is likely to be most popular

12. More Workable Solutions If there is an ongoing recruitment need then fliers circulated to all relevant projects would be helpful Supporting employees with mental health issues during the first month is crucial

13. Even More Workable Solutions! Visit mental health employment projects for 30 minutes to outline possible vacancies and encourage applicants Develop case studies about success stories and then get those employees to recruit for you

14. Contact Details Kim Farr Groundwork Tameside Birchcroft Crowthorne Road Ashton under Lyne 0161 342 6775 kim.farr@groundwork.org.uk