Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is welcoming staff and members of the public to its monthly Board meeting on Thursday 26 September 2019, at its headquarters in New Mill, Saltaire.

Board meetings are an opportunity for people across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven to learn more about the work of the organisation and its wider involvement in improving healthcare across the region. At each meeting the Board uses a patient story to reflect on current services and this month has a focus on the Trust’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Service, known as ‘Making Work, Work’.

The Trust’s employment specialists are part of the community mental health teams across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, and work in partnership with health and social care professionals to support people to find, and sustain, paid employment in real work settings. Designed for people accessing mental health services, such as community mental health teams or the early intervention teams, the service uses the IPS model to help provide a personalised service tailored to individual preferences. Once the individuals have been referred to the service, they are then supported to identify employment goals and create a realistic employment plan. This includes help with creating a CV; help with disclosing a health condition to employers if they choose to; work-related benefits advice and much more.

At the Board meeting, members of the public will hear Matthew’s story, who was referred to the service in 2016 by his care coordinator and initially felt that he had nothing to offer any employer, and questioned whether his employment worker, John, could ever help him. However, together they broke down tasks into manageable steps and created a CV, applied for jobs and secured an interview. The preparation paid off as in the interview Matthew felt that his ‘worries all took a back seat and he nailed it’. The interview was successful, and he was quickly offered his first shift which he found ‘exhilarating’. He now has confidence in his abilities and is looking forward to pushing ahead with his career.

Bob Collins, Employment Service Lead at the Trust, commented on how important the service is in helping people get back into work: “For many people using mental health services, having a job is an important part of recovery. People benefit from being in employment as it offers a greater sense of purpose and wellbeing as well as providing structure and an income. IPS is an effective model which supports those with severe mental health difficulties into paid employment. We are proud to be recognised as a national centre of excellence for IPS and to say we have supported over 200 people to find work.”

The provider of mental health, community health and specialist learning disability services will also discuss upcoming priorities, the chief executive’s monthly report and the monthly performance report. 

The Trust’s Board meeting will take place on Thursday 26 September, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, at New Mill, Victoria Road, Saltaire, BD18 3LD

To find out more about the employment service visit: https://www.bdct.nhs.uk/services/making-work-work/

Listen to Matthew’s story in our video.