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The NHS is offering one-to-one support and guidance to
mental health recoverers. Vocational Advisors are supporting
individuals back into the workplace, acting as mentors for both the
employee and the employer. They are also offering support to those
who are not quite ready to enter paid employment but wish to engage
in the workplace by becoming a volunteer.
In 18 months, the outcomes of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social
Care Partnership Trusts project within EVOLVE are:
- 12 people supported into full time employment
- 15 people supported into part time employment
- Three people into self employment
- 39 people into voluntary work
- 21 people into further education or training.
These figures reflect the work of two Vocational Advisors.
Find out more about the impact of
piloting Vocational Advisors based in Community Mental Health
Teams.
Case studies
Client one
1) What were you doing before a Vocational Advisor
joined the team?
In short, nothing. I spent my time painting and reading,
there was no structure to my day, no ambitions and therefore
nothing to work towards or look forward to. I was an outpatient at
a mental health clinic, being seen every two-to-three months,
constantly changing medication and making no real progress; in
fact, I was moving backwards, becoming more and more insular and
isolated from the world, spending much, if not all, of my time
alone.
2) How did the Vocational Advisor work with
you?
The Vocational Advisor worked with me to assess my strengths
and weaknesses, looked at my employment and social history and
helped me to understand objectively the point I had reached and the
options available to me. I already had an idea about returning to
education so this was the end to which we worked. We looked at the
ways to achieve my goals in a manner becoming to my predicament and
state of health, but perhaps more importantly we looked at the
obstacles I would have to overcome and the various problems I could
have in preparing for such an endeavour. The Vocational Advisor
suggested establishing a more structured and sociable routine by
which to prepare me for entering full-time education. Although
initially daunting, the Vocational Advisor supported and helped me
by assisting in filling out the college application form; the
merits and benefits of voluntary work were also discussed, this
guidance has led me to starting voluntary work which will hopefully
help me build up my skills and confidence, both of which will be
invaluable when I start my course.
3) What did you find useful?
The one-to-one, face-to-face support and guidance was
invaluable. I also felt that I was not being fitted around a care
structure already in place, but rather that the Vocational Advisor
was genuinely listening and responding to what I was saying and
fitting the care structure around me - which is essential if it is
going to be successful and I am going.
Client 2
1) What were you doing before a Vocational Advisor
joined the team?
I was receiving cognitive behavioural therapy and trying to
get structure into my days to keep my mind occupied and help with
my recovery. I was walking, swimming, playing the piano and trying
to socialise with family and friends again.
2) How did the Vocational Advisor work with
you?
The vocational advisor was very helpful because she was
encouraging me to get back into work. She was practical and gave me
contact information for voluntary and paid positions. The
vocational advisor did a lot of research which inspired me to find
work off my own back as well.
3) What did you find useful?
Got me back into work much quicker than if I hadn't met the
vocational advisor. Because we met weekly there was a structure and
after each session we agreed on targets which I would complete i.e.
researching voluntary jobs etc.
Client 3
1) What were you doing before a Vocational Advisor
joined the team?
Before the vocational advisor came along I was treading
water. The majority of my time was spent asleep and hiding from the
world. I had approached someone to do voluntary work but nothing
came of it as I stalled as soon as I realised I had to fill in a
form.
2) How did the Vocational Advisor work with
you?
She built up my self-esteem and empowered me to see things
through. She gave me the tools I needed like basic assertiveness
skills which meant that I carried on doing voluntary work and it
became a rewarding experience for me. She worked behind the scenes
which I found helpful, not coming into direct contact with my
volunteer work. This enabled me to feel in control of things. When
I was ready to give up she was there reminding me what I had
decided and what I could do. She didn't push me, just nudged me.
She believed in me when my faith in myself was weak.
3) What did you find useful?
I found the whole experience useful. Being in volunteer work
has increased my self-esteem. I am now looking for opportunities in
paid employment, building on what she has done for me. I liked the
way I was in control all the time and she gave space for me to
explore what I wanted out of the whole experience.
Project contact
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