A New Approach to Health and Employment Support

• The Growth Company is supporting more people to manage their health so they can take steady, realistic steps towards work.
• New counselling, mindfulness, and occupational therapy services are already helping participants feel more confident, calmer, and better able to cope day‑to‑day.
• Experience has shown that when people feel healthier and more supported, they are far more likely to move into work and stay in it.

More people than ever are now receiving help to manage their health, boost their confidence, and move into work.

Three new services offered by the Growth Company – counselling, mindfulness, and occupational therapy – constitute an important part of this support.  

They all share a common premise: when people feel healthier, calmer, and more in control, they’re better placed to make positive decisions about their future, including ones related to employment.

So, what do they entail, and who’s benefitting?

Counselling

Counselling has become a useful first step for many participants who struggle with feelings of anxiety, depression, and grief.

Those enrolled on our IPS programmes and the Restart Scheme can now begin sessions within just a couple of weeks of being referred; a timeframe that compares favourably to other options.

52 percent of participants who’ve completed their sessions of counselling up to end of 2025 have moved into work or sustained work.

For many, completing six sessions marked a turning point in their recovery. Some found the courage or motivation to apply for work again, while others regained a sense of purpose.

Participants have spoken positively about their counsellor, Jo. One described her as “the best first counsellor I had,” explaining that after seven years of wanting therapy but feeling too afraid to try, she finally felt able to open up.

Another described how their life had “changed for the better,” and a third said they would recommend the service to anyone who would like to speak to someone who is both patient and understanding.

Jo said: “I believe work is more than a way to earn a living: it’s a source of purpose, connection, and belonging, especially in a world where many people face significant personal and social challenges.

“Supporting people to overcome their challenges is incredibly fulfilling. Helping someone not only move back into work but also rebuild their confidence, regain their sense of purpose, and truly thrive is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.”

Breathworks

Alongside this support, the Breathworks programme is helping people manage daily chronic pain and other conditions through mindfulness and breathing exercises.

Breathworks provides a quiet space each week for people to slow down, take note of their body, and learn effective ways of responding to discomfort and anxiety.

Participants have said it has changed how they cope with distress and helped them become more aware of their feelings and how they respond to them.

Breathworks consultant Carolyn believes the programme is powerful because of the commitment people bring to it. As she explains: “Every day, I’m stuck by people’s courage to learn different ways to live with their physical and mental pain.

“I see their commitment to the course as a dedication to their own wellbeing. I notice how people begin to recognise their own agency as they develop new techniques of relating to, and easing, their suffering.

“It’s a gift to witness people transform their relationship with themselves, their circumstances, and with others.”

Occupational Therapy

Meanwhile, occupational therapy support has begun offering practical, personalised guidance for anyone whose health makes work difficult.

People are receiving help to manage symptoms, structure their day, and identify small adjustments that can make work seem manageable, rather than overwhelming.

The results have impressed Rachel Hardy, an employment specialist on the Wellness In Work programme, which works with Greater Manchester residents who have severe and enduring mental illness diagnoses.

“With one client, in particular, occupational therapy has been central to the support she has needed from work over the past month,” Rachel recounted. “Given the complexity of her needs and her relationship with her employer, it’s helped document her requirements and support her in communicating them.

“We’ve had a positive outcome, including fortnightly meetings with her employer to ensure sustained, meaningful long‑term change.”

“The client often finds this difficult to explain herself, so the appointment helped her present the information clearly. It also gave her something concrete to share with her bosses during a challenging period, while helping her feel heard and supported.”

Reflecting on the success of each service, Alex Howley, Operations Director at the Growth Company, said: “We’ve seen through IPS that getting back into work often starts with small steps. When people feel supported and their wellbeing improves, everything else becomes a bit more manageable.

“These new services do just that. Counselling gives them space to talk and rebuild their self-confidence. Breathworks helps them deal with stress or pain. Occupational therapy offers simple, practical ideas that make everyday tasks and work feel less daunting.

“We’re already seeing real changes. People are finishing their sessions, feeling more grounded, and attempting things they hadn’t felt able to try for a long time; and ultimately, if people are able to manage their symptoms, they’re more likely to be able find a job and stay in it.”

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives.

We help people and businesses across the UK to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across the North West and beyond.

Contact us today to find out more.