About WorkWell
WorkWell is a new NHS-led health and work support programme offering friendly, practical NHS support.
The service is designed to support people whose health is affecting their ability to stay in work, return to work or move closer to work, to provide practical support before problems become harder to manage.
Support does not affect benefits and is voluntary.
Our WorkWell Coaches will help people build confidence, overcome challenges and take positive steps towards staying in work, returning to work or finding employment. The service is free to participants.
We are working closely with health, employment and local support services across Kent and Medway to develop the service and make sure it meets the needs of local people, communities and employers.
What makes WorkWell different
WorkWell helps people overcome health-related challenges before they become longer-term barriers to work. It supports people whose physical or mental health is affecting their ability to stay in work, return to work or find employment.
For example, WorkWell may support someone:
- whose anxiety is affecting their confidence at work
- who is feeling stressed or overwhelmed and needs support to manage this
- whose back pain or other musculoskeletal (MSK) condition is making work more difficult
- experiencing a flare-up of a long-term health condition
- whose circumstances have changed and who needs support to move closer to employment.
Unlike employment-focused programmes, WorkWell combines health and wellbeing support with practical employment advice. Taking part is voluntary, and support is tailored to each person's circumstances.
WorkWell at a glance
- NHS-led support people can trust.
- Free support to help people stay in work, return to work or move towards employment.
- Voluntary participation that doesn’t impact benefit entitlements.
- Support delivered in local communities with virtual options available.
- Practical, personalised guidance.
What support will WorkWell offer?
A WorkWell Coach works with people one-to-one to create a personalised plan. Coaches support people to achieve their goals over a period of up to eight to 10 weeks. By the end of this support, they may have started work, returned to work, or been helped to access another service or programme that best meets their needs.
- Boosting confidence.
- Personalised goal setting.
- Access to education, training and volunteering opportunities.
- Identifying employment opportunities.
- Help with CV writing, equipment, job searching and preparing for interviews
- Advice on talking to an employer about adjustments at work.
- Practical support to manage health problems affecting work.
- Understanding workplace rights and responsibilities.
- Support to discuss concerns with employers.
- Advice on reasonable adjustments.
- Support with return-to-work planning.
- Signposting to relevant health, wellbeing and community services.
Where appropriate, coaches may also help people access:
- Physical activity programmes.
- Wellbeing services.
- Housing support.
- Financial and debt advice.
- Other local community services.
Become a WorkWell Coach
We will soon be recruiting WorkWell coaches to join our new service across Kent and Medway. Coaches will help people identify practical solutions, improve confidence, develop personalised plans and achieve their work goals through supportive coaching conversations. Available vacancies will be published soon. Please keep an eye on this page for more details.
You can find a list of frequently asked questions below:
No. WorkWell is being developed and is expected to launch later this year.
WorkWell is funded by the UK Government, which means the support is completely free.
No. Taking part is voluntary and support does not affect benefit entitlement. Any information shared with the Department for Work and Pensions is used for programme evaluation purposes only.
Coaches will only contact an employer with a person's agreement and where this forms part of their personalised support plan.
You may be eligible if you are:
- aged 16 or over
- entitled to work in the UK
- living in Kent or Medway, or registered with a Kent or Medway GP
- in work and struggling because of a health condition or disability
- off work or recently absent because of ill health.
If someone has been out of work for longer than 12 months, or needs more specialist or intensive support, there are other services available that may be better suited to their needs, including:
- Connect for Work supports people who have been out of work for longer than a year.
- The Kent and Medway IPS Service and East Kent IPS Employment Service empower individuals with mental health needs to secure paid employment.
- The Supported Employment Service supports individuals across Kent and Medway who face challenges in finding work - including those with disabilities, health conditions, disadvantages, or special educational needs.
- Live Well Kent and Medway offers free, one-to-one employment support for people experiencing mental health or wellbeing needs. This service is available in in west Kent, Medway and Swale.
- Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
Available vacancies will be published soon. Please keep an eye on this page for more details.
Referral arrangements are being developed and further information will be published before launch.
Contact details
WorkWell Project Team
kentchft.workwell@nhs.net