Health coaches set to help people find or keep jobs in South Cambridgeshire and Royston

A free programme that helps people who may be struggling to find or keep a job due to a health problem, has launched in South Cambridgeshire and Royston.

The WorkWell pilot programme matches local people with a work and health coach who can establish what they need help with, overcome barriers and help them find the right local support.

A new team of work and health coaches at the local mental health charity Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind will provide personalised support, and will connect people with different services, such as health professionals, community sector services and local support groups.

Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Meaningful employment and a supportive workplace are vital to improving health and wellbeing. Helping individuals with health challenges to secure or retain work is not only transformative for their own personal growth but also critical to the economic success and wellbeing of every community. Through local initiatives and collaborative partnerships - such as WorkWell with CPSL Mind - we hope to help create opportunities for people to realise their potential."

Key information about CPSL Mind’s WorkWell programme:

• Available to anyone living in Cambridgeshire and Royston
• Also available to anyone registered with a GP or Job Centre in Cambridgeshire or Royston
• Runs until the end of March 2026
• Anyone with a health problem which means they cannot work or are struggling to stay in work can access the service
• Must be over 16
• Must be eligible to work in the UK

Taking part in the programme is completely voluntary and has no impact on benefits. Anyone taking part is also able to self-refer themselves to the programme via the website by choosing the most relevant hub to them.

Lisa Gibson, Head of Services (Innovation and Business) at CPSL Mind, said: “We look forward to welcoming and supporting individuals and helping them on their back to work journeys. At CPSL Mind, we understand how important it is to be able to stay in work. Employment gives people a sense of purpose, supports wellbeing by working collaboratively and meeting others, boosts confidence and self-esteem. Employment also develops skills and knowledge. We are pleased to be able to work with the wider community to understand the barriers faced and to find ways to overcome them.”

Grant Spillman, WorkWell Lead Coach at CPSL Mind, said: “The WorkWell project is an exciting opportunity for CPSL Mind and it will see us working collaboratively with other agencies. These fantastic collaborations will help us to expand our network and our impact. We would like to encourage all those in need of support of supporting people in the community to reach out and get in touch to find out more.”

WorkWell will work with local authorities, voluntary sector, GPs, social prescribers, social workers, local employers, Job Centres and other partners to promote the service ensuring it is accessible to all.

It is supported by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB), with funding from the Department of Work and Pensions, and is delivered in partnership with local organisations.

For more information and self-referral information, please visit the WorkWell website.