An NHS scheme piloted in the Black Country to help people get jobs and stay in work is set to be rolled out nationally following a year of strong delivery and positive results. The WorkWell programme, an early-intervention work and health support service, has announced its continuation across the Black Country and will now form part of a wider national offer across England.
Funded by the UK Government and delivered locally as one of 15 national pilots, WorkWell is led in the Black Country by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The programme supports people with health conditions or disabilities to find, return to, remain in, or progress in employment. Its aim is to reduce long-term sickness absence and health-related unemployment by offering early, personalised and joined-up support before problems become entrenched.
Since launching in October 2024, WorkWell in the Black Country has already supported, or is currently supporting, more than 1,800 people into employment pathways, volunteering and education. Participants report improved confidence, wellbeing and readiness for work, alongside tangible progress towards sustainable employment. The service provides one-to-one support from trained Work and Health Coaches and acts as a gateway to coordinated health, employment and community services through strong local partnerships.
To date, WorkWell has commissioned paid partnerships with more than 15 organisations across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, strengthening local capacity to deliver integrated support. The programme has also reached important milestones, including hosting employer engagement and careers events, welcoming visits from senior national stakeholders and local MPs, developing strong referral pathways with health and community services, and generating high-quality participant feedback and local success stories.
One such success story is Adam, a Walsall resident referred into WorkWell through his GP and a social prescribing link worker. After struggling with his health and confidence and being out of work for a long period, Adam felt unsure about his future. Through WorkWell, he was matched with a dedicated Work and Health Coach who provided tailored one-to-one support, help with confidence-building, guidance on job applications and interviews, and access to wider health and community services.
Speaking about his experience of WorkWell, Adam said: “Before WorkWell, I didn’t think I’d ever get back into work. I found out about the service through my GP and social prescribing, and it honestly changed my life. Having someone believe in me and support me every step of the way made all the difference. I’m more confident now, I feel like myself again, and I’m back in work doing something I enjoy. I can’t thank the team enough.”
Vicky Harris, Employment and Recovery Service Manager at BCHFT said: “Extending the delivery of WorkWell across the Black Country reflects the positive impact the programme is already having on people’s lives. Stories like Adam’s show how powerful early, joined-up support can be in helping people regain confidence, improve their health and return to meaningful work. We are proud of what has been achieved so far and excited to continue building on this momentum.”
Following the success of the pilots, the Government has confirmed that WorkWell will be rolled out across all of England, backed by up to £259 million. The expanded programme will support up to 250,000 more people over the next three years as part of its wider Plan for Change and Pathways to Work offer.