Being admitted to hospital with a mental health problem does not mean you have to give up your job. Restore is launching a ground-breaking new project this summer that supports patients admitted to hospital to remain employed.
The project is funded by the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund (HSCVF) for three years. Volunteers will be trained and supported to visit the wards in pairs. They will provide patients with help and information about job retention and signpost them towards community services to support their recovery.
Less than a quarter of people with a long-term mental health problem are employed.[1] People admitted to psychiatric hospital receive little support focused on employment. Family, friends, employers, and professionals often assume people must resign or give up their work. But recovery is possible for most people. Paid work is good for your mental health and most people can be supported to return to work after a period of sickness.
The Opportunities Project is for anyone who is an inpatient on an acute ward at The Warneford or Littlemore Hospitals. Enthusiastic volunteers are needed to get this exciting project going.
Register your interest in volunteering or contactchris.alexander@restore.org.uk to learn more about the project.