People now have more time to sign up to a research trial testing employment support for those with health problems who are struggling with work.

So far, more than 2,700 people have signed up to take part in the Working Win health-led employment trial. Running in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, the trial helps people find good jobs, and then provides ongoing one-to-one support once they are in work.

The trial launched in May 2018, with the closing date for referrals originally set for March 2019. However, this has now been extended by six months, until the end of October, which gives volunteers more time to get involved.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “The extension is great news for the Working Win trial. It is important that we have as many people as possible signed up to take part, so that we can find out whether the new type of support being tested really is the most effective option.

“In this time of political uncertainty, it is particularly important that we have the best services in place to support people struggling with work. I fully support the NHS and Government departments who want to use the Working Win trial to find the best way to help people into good jobs, which in turn will benefit our region’s economy.”

Working Win is a ‘randomised controlled trial’ which is trying to find out whether a new type of support called Individual Placement and Support (IPS), is more effective than the existing employment support available.

Just one of two places in the UK to be conducting this important research, the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw arm of the trial has been commissioned by Sheffield City Region with funding from NHS England. South Yorkshire Housing Association are responsible for delivering the support to those who volunteer to take part.

Niall O’Reilly, Head of Work and Wellbeing at South Yorkshire Housing Association, said: “We’re delighted that the Working Win trial is progressing so well. Every week, more than 150 people in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw are referred by a health professional or sign up online to test this new form of employment support.

“We’re passionate about the difference that good work can make to wellbeing and would encourage people to visit workingwin.com to sign up to the trial before referrals close in October.”

Anyone wanting to sign-up to the trial can visit the website and book an appointment online. Alternatively, GPs and other health professionals can also refer their patients onto the trial.

Medical Director for the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System, Des Breen, said: “We know that one of the determinates for good mental and physical health is stable employment. The integrated care approach looks at all things which can contribute to a person becoming ill.

“The Working Win trial will help us to understand what sort of support is useful to those living with mental or physical ill health, and this extension will enable us and our partners to continue that work.

“The NHS Long Term Plan, published in January sets out a commitment to integrated care where, housing, education, employment and medical care are all looked at as a whole in order to tackle the underlying causes of ill health.”

Around 3,000 more people are still needed on the trial before the window closes in October.

Working Win is open to anyone aged over 18, registered with a GP in South Yorkshire or Bassetlaw and finding it difficult to find a job, or struggling with an existing job, due to low-level health problems.

It is free to take part and completely voluntary. For more information and to book an appointment, visit www.workingwin.com or speak to your GP.

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