As part of the Wolverhampton Healthy Minds service we offer support with education and work. This can be helping you with the opportunity to retrain and get back into paid employment, following a mental ill health experience.
We can also support you in accessing other activities such as volunteer work and getting back into college/university. Staff from the service will help you to develop an individually tailored goals and action plan to find employment that matches your preferences, strengths and needs.
Referrals are currently taken from the Healthy Minds and Wellbeing Service (via GP). We are currently not able to accept self-referrals. The team is made up of five members of staff who are qualified occupational therapists with extensive experience in mental health services and vocational rehabilitation.
Once we receive a referral you will be invited to attend an initial assessment to identify:
Following an initial meeting an action plan is agreed with you about what support you require. This may involve ongoing assessment; completing Adult Directions (an online career and skills matching programme); attending the vocational skills development group; and developing strategies for overcoming barriers to work. You will be offered the opportunity to discuss ways to manage your mental health in your chosen activity and identify any adjustments that need to be made. We try to offer a range of support/options to accommodate different needs. In addition we work collaboratively with agencies/services to develop and promote employment opportunities. The vocational service offers ongoing support once you have started work or a vocational activity.