“I have been involved with Workable (NI), with Dorothy as my AMH Employment Support Officer, since I returned to work in 2013 following an extended period off sick with stress/anxiety/depression. During the last 7+ years, I have suffered several further periods of illness, and have on occasion been off for months at a time.
Throughout this whole period, I have found Dorothy to be a wonderful support. She has checked in with me regularly – meeting me when it was possible, and now via regular phone calls. She has always been available for me to call if I have an issue at work, or need additional support. She has pointed me towards many other sources of support which I wouldn’t otherwise have accessed, including: a range of courses (such as anxiety management) run by Action Mental Health; the Condition Management Programme; and counselling on several occasions by various providers. She has accompanied me to meetings I have attended with my managers and has supported me in putting my points across and assisted in finding ways for my employer to support me. Throughout the pandemic, she has been particularly supportive, which has been invaluable to someone working in the NHS, who has been suffering with stress.
I am convinced that I would not be able to remain in my employment in the NHS without the support of Dorothy & Workable, which would be a great pity as I have spent many years studying and training for the job”.
AMH is one of seven partners within the SES – Supported Employment Solutions consortium. SES is contracted to deliver the Department for Communities Workable (NI) Programme across Northern Ireland and has brought together disability organisations to provide specialist employment supports to people with a range of disabilities and health conditions.
The SES partners include AMH and Cedar (Lead Partners), Mencap, Orchardville, NOW, RNIB and Action on Hearing Loss.
SES Aims to offer a Supported Employment approach in the delivery of programs to assist people with disabilities and health conditions to enter and stay in employment.
The Workable (NI) Programme is funded by the Department for Communities.
For more information – visit their website http://www.sesni.org.uk/
