Local work and health scheme wins award at South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards

 

A return-to-work scheme which helps people with health conditions to stay in and thrive or return to work, won an award at the South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards 2025.

WorkWell West won the Collaborative Working Award at Wells Town Hall on Wednesday 26 November.

The scheme includes a range of activities, such as coaching, physical rehabilitation workshops and support sessions and is provided by 16 local voluntary and community organisations to help people with health conditions return to work or find work in their area of employment.

One of 15 national pilots, WorkWell West is delivered by NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), in partnership with Bristol City Council. The programme works with local health organisations, local authorities, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and the Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE) sector to support participants to overcome health and work-related barriers to employment.

The scheme was backed by more than £250,000 of funding in March 2025 from local health and care partners including NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB, Sirona care & health and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. An additional £200,000 is being provided in March 2026 to expand and consolidate this provision.

Jo Hicks, Chief People Officer at the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a proud moment for the team at the ICB and Bristol City Council who have worked hard to shape the WorkWell scheme that supports members of our local communities with various health conditions to keep working or get back to work.

“Winning this award has showcased how organisations within our Integrated Care System can work collaboratively to deliver person-centred care initiatives across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to ensure people with health conditions can be supported in employment.”

Jane Taylor, Head of Service for Bristol City Council’s Employment, Skills and Lifelong Learning team – the Integrated Care Board’s lead delivery partner, said: “This award is strong recognition of the collaborative partnership of WorkWell West which is both strategically and operationally joining the work and health ecosystems for the benefit of what matters most – people.”

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering WorkWell – helping local people stay in their jobs and get back into employment, backed by regional funding. Innovative, award-winning partnerships like this will continue to go from strength to strength across the West over the coming years, with programmes making a real difference for residents.”

The South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards celebrate outstanding personalised care across the region, sharing working examples of person-centred care through good governance and best practice.

The 16 organisations delivering support include:

  • Active Being
  • Bristol City Robins Foundation
  • Bristol Mind
  • Bristol Somali Resource Centre
  • Changes Bristol
  • Citizens Advice North Somerset
  • Clean Slate Training & Employment CIC
  • creativeShift
  • Missing Link
  • One Planet Matters
  • Soundwell Music Therapy
  • Southern Brooks
  • The Birch Collective
  • The Stable (Weston)
  • Windmill Hill City Farm
  • Your Park.

More information about the WorkWell West scheme is available on the Healthier Together website.