Cornwall Set to Transform Work and Health Support in New £64 Million Pilot

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are at the forefront of a pioneering approach to enhance employment for people with disabilities and ongoing health conditions.

This comes after their successful inclusion in the WorkWell programme, a national effort backed with a £64 million investment.

A Focus on Inclusion and Support

The NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board announced that their region would partake in the WorkWell pilots, designed to deliver personalised aid that enables individuals facing physical and mental health challenges to enter and thrive in the workforce. The programme, governed by the Department of Work and Pensions alongside the Department for Health and Social Care Joint Work and Health Unit, will extend to 15 areas across England starting from October.

Kate, Chief Executive of the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, expressed enthusiasm about the selection. “Helping people with disabilities and people with mental and physical health conditions to start, stay, and succeed in work is crucial to helping reduce health inequalities, increasing wellbeing and wider prosperity in our area,” she said. This reflects the broader objective of the WorkWell programme to tackle health disparities and promote a healthier, more inclusive workforce.

Building on Local Strengths

The success of Cornwall’s bid was attributed to robust local partnerships and an established focus on integrating work and health strategies. Over the next two years, the programme will be shaped by collaborations with local stakeholders aiming to create a cohesive service network. These services will include access to physiotherapy, counselling, and tailored employment advice, crucial for making workplaces more accessible and supportive.

Looking Forward

The anticipated launch of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly WorkWell programme is slated for late 2024. It aims not only to assist those currently out of work but also to support individuals who are employed or recently unemployed, preventing them from leaving the workforce due to health issues. The pilot’s outcomes will play a critical role in determining the feasibility of a national rollout of the WorkWell service.

This ambitious pilot is poised to make significant strides in enhancing how health-related employment barriers are addressed, potentially setting a precedent for nationwide policies aimed at supporting those most in need within the workforce.