Jobs for people with disabilities and mental health issues

Having a job can do a lot for our self esteem and self worth. Getting up in the morning, travelling to work and going home proud that we have done a good day's work can make us feel good about ourselves. Work can also make us feel valued and we can feel happier as we are making a positive contribution to society.

Work also boosts confidence, teaches us new skills that we can use in everyday life such as better communication, and allows us to make new friendships. Of course, work can also provide money which means we can have more control over the things we want to do, like going on holiday or buying our own home.

A lot of people who are not in work can end up getting depressed, their general wellbeing, physical and mental health can deteriorate and they can end up trapped on benefits. A lot of people are worried about coming off benefits, but recent studies have shown us that most people are financially better off when they are in paid work.

Sandwell Council is committed to supporting people with disabilities into paid work. Our belief is that anyone of working age (16-65) with a disability who wants to work should be helped to achieve this.

If you are interested and want to find out more about work or want help to get a job, then our employment support service can help you.

What is the Employment Support Service?

Sandwell's Employment Support Service provides adults with all disabilities including mental health issues support to getting a job. The service provides a number of support programmes which all tailor their support to your needs but also to the needs of local employers and the local labour market.

Some examples of what we can provide include:

• Benefits checks to assess if you could be better off in paid work
• CV Preparation, Interview Skills and Job Searching support
• Work experience/Volunteering placements with job coach support
• Travel Training
• A range of vocational qualifications in subjects such as Employability Skills, Catering, Horticulture, ICT and Administration
• Health and Safety, Food Hygiene and Manual Handling courses
• Skills for Life : Literacy and Numeracy assessments
• The services are made up of a Learning Disabilities Service, a Mental Health Service and Workchoice.

How do I find out more about the Employment Support Service?

You can contact us directly yourself or a social worker, health care professional or Disability Employment Adviser from Job Centre Plus can refer you to the service.

You can send us an email, telephone us or just drop in to the service. Our contact details are:

Beeches Enterprise Centre
No. 23 Beeches Road
West Bromwich
B70 6QE

Tel: 0121 569 5563 or 5565

Email: graeme_omalley@sandwell.gov.uk

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Fri 9am to 4.30pm

Is there a charge to use the service?

The service is free to adults with disabilities living in Sandwell. There may be occasions when fees to access courses have to be made although we will help you to understand this, if it happens.