Over the course of the programme, Work Well supported 536 young people across Leeds aged 15 to 24 who were NEET or at risk of being NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) where mental health and wellbeing were a concern and a barrier to them making progress. The project ran for two years from July 2021 to June 2023.
Young people received one-to-one support from one of our friendly and approachable practitioners, who helped identify needs and create a plan together to move forward. Our team worked with young people at times and places that suited them.
Out of the young people who accessed the service, 86% of them increased their mental health. 58% went into education, training or work and 42% are now job searching (previously inactive) and/or have improved life skills.
Work Well was part funded through the European Social Fund. It is part of the Leeds City Council Employment Hub Mental Health (MH) program and is aimed at supporting Leeds residents into employment, education and or training.
Lee, aged 16. Referred by CAMHS following several years of support for anxiety and low mood. Injured after a scooter accident and did not attend his final term or sit any GCSEs.
His family were victims of targeted anti-social behaviour, they had fireworks thrown at the house and Lee was regularly beaten up. The family were rehoused and the father has stage 4 kidney failure and has dialysis 3 times a week.
Lee had flashbacks to violent incidents and was fearful of school and other teenagers. Several professionals worked with him, but he felt overwhelmed, so Work Well took a case coordination role to support the transition between child and adult services.
He was supported into a training opportunity then left quickly for a cleaning job. He then found out his girlfriend was 22 weeks pregnant, he was overwhelmed, left his job and went into crisis with constant suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
Following further coordinated interventions, his suicidal thoughts have reduced and he has now resumed training with NACRO as a mechanic.
Thank you for today and for all the days you have helped me, if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be in the world right now.
Lee
Our team of skilled staff worked with young people to identify needs and develop an action plan focused on:
We delivered the programme through a mixture of one-to-one support and group work.
Work Well was a city-wide service in Leeds.
The Work Well programme closed at the end of June 2023.
We would like to express a big thank you to all our staff team, referrers and partners who have supported us in our positive and much needed work with young people to date.
To find out about our current employability, education and training services, please contact Kiran Soor, Community Health and Employability Manager: kiran.soor@barca-leeds.org
