gether
NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Jobcentre Plus.
The 18-week course gives people who have experienced mental health difficulties the confidence and skills they need to access employment, voluntary work, training or education. It
helps them to manage anxiety, increase confidence, address potential barriers to employment and access work placements.
David told the students: “
There is a problem in our society that we don’t talk about mental health even though there cannot be too many families that are not affected by it.
“I hope you are all able to make the transition into work but I know this is not a quick process because of a lack of confidence and worries about issues such as writing a CV or attending an interview. It takes a lot of support and that is why it is very important to have initiatives like this which help people to feel more confident and to overcome barriers.”
2
gether, which provides mental and social healthcare services for people of all ages throughout Gloucestershire, has previously run Journey 2 Work courses in Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Occupational Therapist Rhian Llewellyn, who helped to lead the course, said: “We all need meaningful activity if we are to have positive mental health. The Journey 2 Work course is an excellent example of organisations working together to help individuals recover by giving them real opportunities to move on in their lives and participate in the wider community.
“One in four people experience mental ill health every year and it is just as normal as having a physical health problem or a sporting injury.
Our aim is to promote a society where mental health conditions are seen as illness like any other and where everyone can fulfil their potential.”
Charles Morse, Jobcentre Plus District Manager for Gloucestershire, said: “
There is clear evidence that when people return to work – even on a part-time basis – their health often improves, and this is what we are striving to achieve with the Journey 2 Work course.”
