Impact Newsletter - February 2024

Talking Therapies launches in Newham

In February we joined the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local residents at an event organised by the East London NHS Foundation Trust to launch the new Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies (EA in TT) service in Newham

“NHS Talking Therapies has been developed to help improve access to psychological therapies for people who are experiencing mental health issues like depression or anxiety. With additional advice and guidance from Employment Advisors now available to Talking Therapies clients, we’re able to offer practical job-based support to people who need it alongside the counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy or guided self-help they are already receiving,” says Alison Campbell, from Ingeus’ Employment Advisors in Talking Therapies service.

Continued overleaf.

What’s inside...

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Opportunities to join Ingeus

Youth Voice

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New job is a lifeline for Justine

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iWork clicks for Steven

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Craig’s second chance

Continued from page 1.

Ingeus Employment Advisors work collaboratively with clinicians to support people in addressing work related issues such as finding a new job or agreeing reasonable adjustments to support their mental health at work.

Guests at the launch event included Ellen Springall, Deputy Director for Delivery, Joint Work and Health Directorate at the DWP and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); Ebad Baig, Employment Advisor

in Talking Therapies for London; and Jason Sparkes, Employment Advisor in Talking Therapies Relationship Manager for the South West.

Ingeus secured the contract to deliver EA in TT in Newham after successfully delivering the service which was previously known as Employment Advisors in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) in Derby & Derbyshire on behalf of the Integrated Care Board since 2018. Now supporting clients in two parts of England, Ingeus provides

tailored employment support for people to find, return to, or retain employment.

Following successful delivery of the Joint Work & Health Unit (DWP/DHSC) pilot project across 40% Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) areas in England, the EA in TT service is now being rolled out nationally.

Find out more about the Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies service at: www.ingeus.co.uk/ services/health/eatt

Voice at the table conference

Ingeus was proud to join over 100 people at Voice at the Table conference, ‘Driving diversity: the next ten years’ on 8th February.

The conference looked at the trends and changes over the last ten years and explored future trends, predictions and challenges in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) through panel discussions.

Ingeus’ Clinical Operations Director for the Health division, Jason Diederich, was invited along with other EDI advocates to share insights as a panellist in a discussion about how to take diversity beyond gender.

Ingeus also sponsored the Legacy Award at the conference which recognised those people and

organisations with a genuinely long-term commitment to EDI. This award category recognises those who have not only shown a commitment to upholding the principles of

EDI, but like Ingeus, is seeking to have a bigger impact by driving and sharing ideas that will benefit our communities right now and, in the years, ahead.

iWork clicks for Steven

With a background in desktop publishing, technology is Steven’s thing.

After being unemployed for over a year, it was the Ingeus online careers platform, iWorks, that clicked for him during his job search. Subsequently finding work through the Restart Scheme in Central London, Steven is back in the Ingeus centre in Hackney – on the other side of the desk.

“There are lots of cliches attached to being unemployed and in my experience, they are all true. Your self-worth crashes and burns. You feel as though it will never end,” explains Steven, who undertook charity work at the Volunteer Centre Hackney when his freelance design work dried up.

Referred by Jobcentre Plus to Ingeus’ Restart Scheme to help his job search, Steven regularly met with his advisor and attended group workshops, but it was the online package iWorks that really inspired him as he determinedly used it to improve his employability. iWorks is a free online careers

platform giving Ingeus participants 24/7 access to help determine career paths, search and apply for vacancies, and research and prepare for interviews.

“I used iWorks every day, there was lots of useful content on there,” continues Steven, who is 57 and from Tottenham. “I was able to research different industries and look for vacancies. I practised interview techniques, completed applications and learnt how to sell myself. What I noticed is that I became more fluent in my answers, I didn’t struggle to complete an application and one day, it just clicked.”

Steven recalls the moment he was offered a role as an advisor for a carers’ charity: “I received a phone call offering me the job. I heard them but couldn’t believe they were talking to me!”

Ironically, the charity – Carers First – has an outreach base in the Ingeus Hackney office, where Steven is now based one day a week. Six months into his role, he provides information and practical support to unpaid carers in the borough and says he can empathise with the isolation and financial difficulties

many face after his own experiences.

“I like meeting new people every day, knowing I’m helping them – just as I was. I’ve received lots of training, I’m still learning, and of course mastering the tech!

Steven hopes to combine his caring new career with writing an online blog.

“The Restart Scheme was different to the other training schemes I’d been on. It was more tailored; I wasn’t forced into applying for anything so I could focus more on what I wanted to do.”

Delivered by Ingeus in Central and West London, the Restart Scheme is a personalised employment programme that partners with numerous community and specialist partners, like Carers First, to provide holistic support to help overcome barriers to work.

Opportunities to join Ingeus Youth Voice

The Ingeus Youth Voice is a group of young people who shape and inform our strategy and services, while receiving opportunities to develop their skills through a wide range of activities.

It brings together different perspectives and experiences, regardless of backgrounds, identities, and cultural differences, ensuring there is a realistic and accurate understanding of young people’s views.

Ingeus is now looking for more young people to come on board as Youth Voice

Ambassadors to create a strong, dynamic team of connected young people ready to influence change. As well as holding a place on the National Citizen Service (NCS) Steering Board, Ambassadors will input and feedback on all aspects of Ingeus services across all divisions, including design, delivery, policy, processes, and people.

Do you know anyone aged between 16-25 and passionate about youth voice? Share this opportunity with them and get them to register their interest:

Trigger warning: This article contains emotive themes including mental health and suicide, alcoholism, and the care system.

Craig’s second chance

As an Ingeus advisor providing education, training and employment support to people on probation, Craig believes that everyone deserves a second chance.

Yet as someone with firsthand experience of the care system, alcoholism, a criminal conviction, and mental health problems that overwhelmed him, his own second chance nearly never came. Waking up in intensive care almost two months after a suicide attempt was the turning point to a new life and a new Ingeus career, for which he’s truly thankful.

“It’s been a story, it’s been eventful,” says Craig as he describes his troubled years. Placed suddenly into care at 15 and later facing homelessness, he still completed a science degree and began a career with the ambulance service. However, as the demands of his job triggered traumatic memories, his drinking escalated, which he believes contributed to an arrest for actual bodily harm in 2020. With his mental health spiralling out of control, he saw only one way out and attempted to take his own life.

Waking in intensive care, Craig seized his second chance,

took control of his demons, and completed his 24-month suspended sentence. Determined to use his own experiences to help others, he was referred to Ingeus in early 2023 and joined the peer mentor academy, which uses the power of shared experiences to reform and rehabilitate offenders.

“Being welcomed with open arms on the peer mentor programme was a level of acceptance that I have no words for,” says Craig.

A successful Ingeus interview soon followed: “I’m here today as part of the team. It’s been an amazing role for my selfdevelopment and growth,” Craig adds.

“When a service user or individual on probation is sat in front of me and I’m guiding them, advising them… I truly do understand, not just on an empathetic level, but a sympathetic level because I’ve been there. I’ve felt all the emotions, the barriers, the prejudice, the judgement.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to Ingeus for giving me my life back.”

Hopeful Zoe rebuilds her job prospects

‘I love absolutely everything about it’ is how single mum Zoe feels about her part-time volunteering role at Rebuild with Hope – the discount fashion and home outlet in Wigan’s Grand Arcade.

Offering school-friendly hours, mentoring, training and the possibility of a future paid position, means she’s now placed to take the next step.

Zoe, 34, from Platt Bridge, is part of the first group of volunteer workers to be introduced to Rebuild with Hope via the Restart Scheme, delivered in Greater Manchester by Ingeus. It helps local jobseekers prepare for and find suitable employment and recognises the importance of volunteering in helping to train and ready long term unemployed people for the world of work. The Restart Scheme has placed 10 volunteers and three paid staff members with Rebuild’s flagship store to date.

Despite past retail work experience Zoe struggled to find employment after a nine-year spell at home caring for her mother, and latterly starting a family. With two

toddlers and a fear of interviews, she didn’t know where to start finding work before being referred to Ingeus by Wigan Jobcentre Plus.

“I felt down, weary with it all,” says Zoe. “I wouldn’t have changed caring for my family but really missed seeing and talking to other people at work. I was worried though about having a big gap on my CV.”

Ingeus set about rewriting Zoe’s CV, coaching her in interview skills, and applying for local vacancies. Thanks to a proactive relationship struck between Ingeus Employer Account Manager, Gary Cross, and the Rebuild with Hope Foundation, Zoe was shown around the store and offered a regular volunteer slot.

“I thought volunteering was a great idea, to get back into the swing of work gradually. We’re

mentored by a member of staff and treated just like any other colleague. It’s got me out interacting with people again, not stuck at home. I’ve had some great feedback and hope to switch to paid hours over the next few weeks.”

Set up as a charitable organisation to support people with barriers to employment into work, Rebuild with Hope recruits people from all different backgrounds. Believing in ‘recruiting on attitude, employing on skills’, it places a strong emphasis on in-work training and Zoe has already benefitted from manual handling, first aid and maths training sessions.

Zoe concludes: “I genuinely love it, the people are brilliant. It’s busy but not overwhelming and I know I’m taking a step towards paid employment.”

New job is a lifeline for Justine

Care assistant Justine, 52, from Leigh became unemployed after a traumatic experience at work sent her mental health into a downward spiral.

Justine struggled to pay her bills while trying to manage her anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Life was looking bleak until her work coach at Leigh Jobcentre Plus referred her to Working Well: Pioneer, delivered by Ingeus in Greater Manchester.

Part of the Government’s Universal Support Programme, Working Well: Pioneer helps people with health conditions, disabilities, and other barriers into employment. It helps participants find a job and offers personalised support to deal with any challenges that may arise at work.

Justine’s keyworker discussed targets and objectives with her, provided her with a professional CV, cover letter and interview tips. Justine said she wanted to work nights,

as it would be better for her mental health. “I feel flustered and rushed at other times but at night I feel secure in myself and less anxious,” she says.

Ingeus account manager and disability champion Sharon liaises closely with employers to match people up with a suitable job, and then provides in-work support, ensuring reasonable adjustments are made to help participants stay in their role. Sharon contacted recruitment consultant Sophie at employment agency Staffline to recommend Justine for a job. After taking advice on board from Ingeus, Justine’s interview with Staffline was a success. Initially working for a food company, Justine is now a hygiene operative at a supermarket depot in St Helens.

Ingeus supported Justine with work clothing and travel expenses and Sharon is continuing to provide in-work support and reassurance.

“It’s physical work because you’re constantly moving about but I’m busy and I’ve got my mind occupied. It’s boosted my confidence, it’s made me stronger, mentally tougher, and more resilient,” says Justine.

I wouldn’t have got this job without Ingeus’ help. I thought, ‘I’m not moving on in my life,’ and they came at the right time.”

Meanwhile, Justine’s enthusiasm and strong work ethic has impressed Sophie at Staffline, who adds: “Justine is a brilliant, reliable worker. She is always very positive and always keen for overtime.”

Getting to know you...

Dan Jackson

This month we stopped to take a minute to find out more about Dan and his role as Bid Manager for Ingeus.

I work in the Business Development Team on business opportunities to grow the services Ingeus deliver. It’s a highly collaborative role and along with my fellow bid colleagues I get to work with people from across the business.

The core responsibility of the role is to manage the end-to-end process of delivering bids and proposals but there are a range of activities involved, such as project management, bid writing and solution design. I love how team-orientated the role is and that I get to regularly learn new things about all different corners of the business and the different sectors and geographies that we deliver in. It’s always a great feeling when the organisation wins a new contract and an even better feeling when you see the positive impact these services have on our participants.

We asked Dan to answer life’s essential questions:

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

Chocolate or sweets?

Chocolate

Cooking at home or dining out?

Dining out – for everyone else’s safety

City or countryside?

City

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

Summer or winter?

Summer

Tea or coffee?

Neither!

Phone call or text message?

Depends who’s on the other line!

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl

Adventure travel or relaxation?

Adventure travel