Following a successful 12 month pilot, which saw 500 individuals supported across North Wales, our I Can Work pilot programme has now been extended for a further six months, with funding from the Welsh Government. The extension is welcomed amid concern over the economic and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The employment support programme, the first of its kind to be delivered on a large scale in Wales, is led by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. People struggling to find or hold down a job because of mental health difficulties are being encouraged to take advantage of the I CAN Work programme, which provides intensive support from employment specialists and health professionals.
Llinos Edwards, Service Improvement Manager at BCU Mental Health Division said: “We know that many people experiencing mental health problems want to work, but sometimes need extra support to do so. Sadly we know that there will also be many people who lose their jobs in the coming months.
“We want to encourage anybody who is struggling to please get in touch so our I CAN Work employment specialists can provide the intensive support required to help them find and remain in employment.”
The economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis is expected to have a significant impact on employment, with more than a fifth of UK employers planning to make redundancies in the coming months. Young people and the lowest paid are expected to be hardest hit, with women more adversely affected than men.
