PEOPLE with mental health problems are being helped into employment.

I CAN Work helps people with mild to moderate mental health problems find and remain in employment in order to support their recovery and improve their wellbeing.

The programme, which is the first of its kind in Wales, is being delivered by our staff in partnership with personal support services charity, CAIS, and the Rhyl City Strategy, with funding from the Welsh Government.

Many people with mild to moderate mental health problems want to work, but need support to do so.

Being in employment provides a meaningful activity which helps to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life.

I CAN Work is based on the principles of the successful Individual Placement and Support Programme (IPS), a relatively new approach which is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as the leading model to help people with poor mental health into work.

This is a 12 month pilot project which aims to support around 450 people. The results will enable us to better understand the potential of IPS in Wales.

I CAN Work is based on eight simple, evidence based principles; it aims to get people into paid employment (not volunteering or unpaid work), it is open to all those who want to work and are receiving support from a health professional for mild to moderate mental health problems. I CAN Work will also support people at risk of losing employment due to their condition

It tries to find jobs consistent with people’s preferences, and it works quickly – I CAN Work aims to start job searches within 30 days. It brings I CAN Work teams and health professionals together so that employment becomes a core part of recovery and wellbeing.

I CAN Work teams develop relationships with employers so they can match a person to a job based on their work preferences, not based on who happens to have jobs available.

It provides ongoing individualised support for the person and their employer, helping people to keep their job at difficult times. Benefits counselling is included, because nobody should be worse off because they want to work.

To be part of the programme you will need to agree to be recommended to the I CAN Work scheme by a healthcare professional.

I CAN Work will also support people at risk of losing employment due to their condition.

People who receive support from I CAN Work may experience one or a number of the following; depression or low mood, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder and emotional deregulation.

You will meet an I CAN Work Advisor who will discuss your job goals

CAIS deliver I CAN Work support in Wrexham and Flintshire, with the Rhyl City Strategy covering Anglesey, Conwy and Denbighshire:

For I Can Work support in Wrexham and Flintshire, contact Naomi Oakley by emailing icanwork@cais.org.uk or call 07769217189.