WorkWell marks first anniversary after helping more than 1,000 people across the Black Country into work 

A year after its launch, WorkWell, the employment and wellbeing initiative led by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has supported more than 1,000 people across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton to overcome barriers to work linked to health conditions or disabilities. 

Launched in 2024, the programme was designed to bridge the gap between employment and health, helping people to gain or retain work while improving mental and physical wellbeing. In its first 12 months, WorkWell has evolved from a pilot idea into a regional network of employers, educators and community partners working to make employment more inclusive. 

Over the past year, the programme has brought together more than 15 organisations to share learning and build stronger wellbeing offers through events such as the Employers’ Breakfast, which focused on embedding health and inclusion within workplace culture. 

It has also delivered workshops and webinars across the Black Country, including sessions during Wolverhampton Business Week, and worked alongside local colleges to develop career pathways for young people. 

WorkWell now counts 19 partner organisations across the region, all contributing to service delivery and community reach. The programme has also attracted high-level interest, welcoming visits from DWP Permanent Secretary Sir Peter Schofield KCB and Halesowen MP Alex Ballinger. 

At its core, WorkWell supports people who might otherwise fall out of work due to health barriers, offering tailored advice, employability support, and wellbeing interventions. 

Organisers say its success stories highlight the value of early, holistic intervention. Participants have shared how the programme helped them rebuild confidence, improve wellbeing, and return to meaningful work. 

Recent collaborations have also focused on engaging young people to explore what they need from employment support programmes, with a series of youth-led workshops planned for the months ahead. 

As the initiative enters its second year, WorkWell says it will continue to grow partnerships and build new routes into employment, with the goal of making “work better for everyone” across the Black Country. 

More information about the programme can be found at www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/workwell.