Taranaki clinical teams partnership brings hope

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Overcoming a traumatic past and struggles with addiction saw Tina (name changed to protect privacy) seek help to rebuild her life and gain employment. Tina’s story is just one example of how Workwise holds hope for people and helps them with achieving their employment goals in Taranaki.

Workwise provides employment support for people with personal and health challenges by working closely with community mental health and addictions teams in both New Plymouth and Hāwera.

“Workwise are contracted to provide employment support for our clients, either supporting them to retain employment or seek employment. They provide employment consultants who partner with our clinical teams, taking referrals as well as identifying who might benefit from this support as part of their recovery or maintaining wellbeing,” explains Ross Ekdahl, Manager Community Mental Health & Addictions Services at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Taranaki.

The key to the team’s successful integration within community mental health and addictions services is working closely together and being responsive.

“During the past year, Workwise supported almost 200 people into a range of work and training opportunities. The fact that 40% of the jobs secured were for full-time work is astounding. For many people and their whānau, this can be life-changing,” said Spencer Kendall, Workwise General Manager.

Tina, who had experience of addictions and a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), was working with her AOD counsellor and Pathways when she was referred to Workwise for employment support. Tina’s employment goal was to be a truck driver. The Workwise employment consultant built up a rapport with Tina before using their local connections to introduce her to a suitable and supportive employer.

Tina had an interview, completed the driving tests and was successfully offered a position as a trainee Class 4 driver. This was an emotional moment for her. Since starting work earlier this year, she has done well and set a new goal to get her Class 5 learner licence. Tina successfully achieved this, and recently secured employment as a Class 5 driver with a large national company.

“It was Tina’s resilience and determination to make this happen, despite everything that had gone on before. She had the determination to make employment work, to turn her life around,” said the Workwise employment consultant.

“It’s a great service, and here in Taranaki we’re achieving results that exceed the national average,” adds Ross.

In Taranaki, anyone accessing adult mental health and addictions services can be referred for employment support. To contact the team, talk to one of our employment consultants when they’re on site, or contact Workwise here.

Find out more. 

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Image: Workwise employment consultants are specialists in supporting people to find and keep work. Photograph courtesy of the Wise Group.