Mental Health in the Work PlaceMark Gibson & Colin Robinson

About Shaw Trust

• Vision• ‘A society in which everyone has the opportunity for employment,

inclusion and independence’

• Mission• To deliver services for people at disadvantage so they may gain

life and employability skills in order to live more independently, secure sustainable employment and  actively contribute to family and community life

• To educate and influence society to remove barriers and create opportunities for those at disadvantage; to build supportive communities and ultimately, a more inclusive society

About Work Choice

• Work Choice began in October 2010 and is a six-month voluntary programme for disabled people

• Provides tailored support for disabled clients to help them get back to work and then supports them once they find work

• Encourages a clear and measurable step-by-step journey towards greater independence’

• A structured and individually tailored delivery approach lead by client choice, co-ordinated and empowered through the Adviser’

Customer case studyCustomer RS

RS’s Journey

• RS was referred to the Work Choice Programme last year. At the time she attended in her biological gender (male). RS is an IT Graduate and is seeking employment as an IT Technician, but due to being diagnosed with severe depression she has found it difficult to find employment.

• Since starting with Shaw Trust she has started Gender Reassignment, has identified new career goals and is now working towards a Adult Teaching Qualification.

Gender Variance – What it is / What it’s not

• Although being Transgendered is NOT a mental illness, it is extremely common for those with gender dysphoria to suffer from mental health conditions and the suicide rate is alarmingly high in the western world.

• Transgender is not:• A mental health Condition• Sexual (sexual orientation and gender are separate

issues)• A choice

RS has kindly agreed to answer any questions regarding her journey and experience of Shaw Trust.

Over to RS

Customer case studyCustomer CW

Customer CWCustomer CW

• Customer lives with Type 2 Diabetes, controlled by medication.

• Lives with depression, anxiety and suffers from panic attacks.

• He can have suicidal thoughts and has made threats to carry these out.

• He is not deemed “at risk” enough to receive mainstream Mental Health services.

Work Profile

Customer has a strong work history since 1983, working in warehousing, gardening, cleaner and kitchen porter. He has worked for a local top class hotel as well as Rackham’s the high street store.Fell out of work in summer of 2011, due to being bullied at work following a change of management team.

Job Matching

• Customer joined Work Choice Programme in May 2012.

• Identified Kitchen positions as priority, but with sympathetic employers given his previous experience.

• Shaw Trust were already working with Compass Group, when a vacancy was highlighted on an In work support visit for a previously placed customer.

Employer Journey

• Vacancy to advertise

• Information Given to Shaw Trust

• Initial Meeting – employer & ST Customer

• Work Trial agreed

• Support package discussed

• Job Offer made

Over to Tina from Compass Group