If you are currently unemployed and have a health condition or a disability, the work and health programme can help you find a job. It offers personalised employment support so that you can find work if you are finding it difficult to do so. The programme boosts your confidence as it focuses on the unique skills you have rather than having a ‘one-size’ fits all approach, to ensure that no matter your current situation, you can access a job you are passionate about.
Mehronisa’s story
Mehronisa, an Ealing resident was referred to the work and health programme to help her get a job that suited her underlying long-term conditions. These included a kidney transplant, depression and wearing a hearing aid as well as suffering from diabetes, asthma, and a gastrointestinal condition. Despite her medical history, Mehronisa was keen to get back into work but being made redundant due to COVID-19 affected her confidence and made her feel that she would only have limited employment options.
The work and health programme has been designed to help people like Mehronisa get back to work through personalised support. To make this happen, Mehronisa received help with her employability skills, application and job searching skills as well as interview techniques. This reassured her that her knowledge gained through her previous long- term employment was valuable, and she just needed help figuring out how to best use it in the current job market.
How the programme helps
After assessing Mehronisa’s situation in detail and an action plan was put together, it was agreed that Mehronisa would apply for jobs for a minimum of two hours a day. This would be possible with the help of her support manager and the internal employment team at Shaw Trust, our partner in delivering the programme in west London. She attended several workshops, focusing on her interview skills, her CV writing skills and employment skills in general to boost her confidence. Through this personalised plan and the support of the team, she managed to secure not one but five job interviews. This allowed Mehronisa to find a role in a similar sector she had worked in before, working from home to suit her condition. As she performed so well during the interview, she is now considered for a team leader role.
Impressed with the amount of guided support she received through the programme, Mehronisa encourages others to sign up as she says:
“I have been given a job offer today for three months, originally for a fares and ticketing specialist in my field and they now want to discuss the team leader role. This would have never been possible without the programme I went on and I am so grateful for the support of the team through this entire process. I really appreciate all the help and for really listening to what I needed, even on days when you were busy.”
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes says:
“As outlined in our Plan for Good Jobs, as a council, it is important to us to ensure a sustainable and inclusive borough. The work and health programme is one of the ongoing projects aiming to ensure that everyone has access to the comprehensive help they need.
Being able to offer support to those who want to get into work but feel unable to do so due to a disability or health condition is a priority to us at Ealing. Schemes like this will make a real difference and will ensure residents feel understood and supported no matter their circumstances.”
How can the programme help you
To find out more how you can take part in the programme and benefit from tailored advice too, visit Work Ealing.
