Vicki's Recovery and Return to Work

• The Growth Company (GC) delivers Working Well: Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (WWIPSPC) across Greater Manchester.
• The programme aims to help adults with physical and/or mental health disabilities into – or back into – sustained employment.
• Find out how it helped Vicki rebuild her confidence and return to work following a life-changing injury.

A programme delivered by the Growth Company is supporting Greater Manchester residents to overcome barriers to employment.

Commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Working Well: Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care aims to help Greater Manchester residents with physical or mental health disabilities into sustained employment – or provide them with support to stay in or return to their current job.

The initiative follows the “place, train, and maintain” model. This means prioritising flexible one-to-one support for individual participants, from guidance on how to write a CV and apply for jobs to bespoke career advice and follow-up assistance once paid work has been secured or resumed. It also involves direct and ongoing engagement with employers to produce the best possible results.

Vicki is just one of the people who has been supported back into work through WW:IPSPC.

Vicki’s Story

In November 2023, Vicki’s support worker referred her to the Growth Company, and she was introduced to IPSPC Employment Specialist, Margo. Vicki expressed her desire to return to work after experiencing a life-changing injury, and together they discussed suitable roles and working conditions to support Vicki’s recovery.

Preparing for Work

Margo worked closely with Vicki to review and update her CV, and reached out to employers local to her. Vicki decided to pursue remote and hybrid roles, which would allow her to remain at home during her recovery.

She was soon invited for an interview, and Margo helped her to prepare - setting up several mock interviews during their appointments, and referring her to clothing charity SmartWorks, who provided her with interview attire and a capsule wardrobe for work.

Vicki was successful in her interview, and secured a full-time, remote role as a claims assessor. Margo continued to support Vicki, discussing reasonable adjustments with her new employer, and assisting with an Access to Work application. This resulted in an assessment of Vicki’s home and the provision of suitable office items, including an ergonomic office chair to aid her pain, a sit-stand desk, and a new monitor.

Support through Thick and Thin

Three months into her new role, Vicki has grown in confidence, and is thoroughly enjoying working again. She said: “I am loving the job! The people are all amazing and I feel very comfortable. My employer has been very welcoming and understanding, allowing me to take Wednesday afternoons off work to continue with my weekly physiotherapy appointments.”

Vicki still attends regular appointments with Margo, who continues to support her and check in on her progress.

Reflecting on the support received from Margo and IPSPC, Vicki said: “Margo has been amazing, and has been with me through thick and thin - not just there to do the job, but even at times acts as a therapist. Anything you need, she is there. She has held me up and got me through the worst time of my life, I can’t fault her at all.

“The process is amazing. I found myself in a terrible position, never been out of work, never been disabled, felt on my own, no way out and didn’t know how to move forward. This programme should be spoken about more, so other people in my situation can get the same support, hopefully before they get into as terrible a position as I did.”

Find Out More

To find out how the WWIPSPC programme can support your employees, visit the programme's website. 

The Growth Company

The Growth Company helps companies in a range of sectors find candidates that suit their needs and maximise their potential. We offer employment, justice, and health services across the North of England and beyond.

Get in touch today to find out more.

Working Well: Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) is commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and funded by UK Government. The programme is delivered across Greater Manchester by The Growth Company in partnership with Groundwork and will support up to 1,500 individuals between September 2023 and March 2025.