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Work, Employment and Volunteering

"Being a volunteer is part of my recovery, it means I do something that is valued"

Definitions: ‘Work’ is defined as the use of skills and judgement to meet a range of tasks, which are usually ‘externally’ defined by others. Work is usually done for other people – this can include ‘voluntary’ work. ‘Employment’ is work you get paid for. According to these definitions, many activities such as housework, child care, looking after elderly relatives, voluntary work, are clearly ‘work’ in the sense defined above – they certainly have important social meaning both for the individual concerned and for society in general - but few people are ‘employed’ to do them.

Work – in the broad sense defined above – is important to everyone. We all need to find things to do which are personally meaningful and which offer us a role and identity. This is all the more important for people whose opportunities to find personally meaningful activities are blighted by mental health problems. Work is recognised as being central to the process of ‘recovery’¹ and forms a key element in recent policy initiatives to combat social exclusion².

You may wish to: -

• Work full or part-time in open employment

The following agency can provide further information:

Cambridge Jobcentre Plus
Henry Giles House
73-79 Chesterton Road
Cambridge
CB4 3BQ
Telephone: 01223 545162
Web: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

• Use a specialist supported employment service

The following agencies can provide further information:

RFET Cambridge
Unit BC The Paddocks
347 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge, CB1 8DH
Tel: 01223 242267
Fax: 01223 242267
Email: rfetcambridge@richmondfellowship.org.uk
Web: www.richmondfellowship.org.uk

Papworth Trust
Papworth Everard
Cambridge, CB3 8RG
Tel: 01480 830341
Fax: 01480 830781
Email: info@papworth.org.uk
Web: www.papworth.org.uk

Red2Green
Harvey’s Barn, Park End,
Swaffham Bulbeck Cambridge CB5 0NA
Tel: 01223 811662
Email: info@red2green.org
Web: www.red2green.org/

• Consult with a Vocational Specialist linked to one of the community based mental health teams.

The following agency can provide further information:

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust Vocational Opportunities Network (VON) The Cambridge Resource Centre 47-51 Norfolk Street Cambridge, CB1 2LD Tel: 01223 464010 01223 460288 (answer machine) Fax: 01223 726278 Email: yvonne.catlin@cpft.nhs.uk Web: www.cpft.nhs.uk

• Become a volunteer

The following agencies can provide further information:

Cambridge & District Volunteer Centre
Llandaff Chambers
2 Regent Street
Cambridge, CB1 1AX
Tel: 01223 356549
Email: info@cam-volunteer.org.uk
Web: www.cam-volunteer.org.uk

Volunteers Plus
91 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge, CB1 7BS
Tel: 01223 246669
Email: office@volunteersplus.org

• You can also find help and information by visiting the following web sites which are mainly hosted by national agencies/organisations.

Employers Forum on Disability
Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NY
tel: 020 7403 3020, fax: 020 7403 0404
email: efd@employers-forum.co.uk
Web: www.employers-forum.co.uk

Mind
Granta House, 15-19 Broadway, London E15 5BQ
tel: 020 8519 2122, fax: 020 8522 1725
email: info@mind.org.uk
web: www.mind.org.uk

Manic Depression Fellowship
Castle Works, 21 St George's Road, London SE1 6ES
tel: 020 7793 2600, fax: 020 7793 2639
email: mdf@mdf.org.uk
web: www.mdf.org.uk

Rethink
30 Tabernacle Street, London EC2A 4DD
tel: 020 7330 9100
email: info@rethink.org
web: www.rethink.org

Richmond Fellowship Workschemes
80 Holloway Road, London, N7
tel: 020 7697 3300 fax: 020 7602 8652
web: www.richmondfellowship.org.uk

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
web: www.dwp.gov.uk

DirectGov
web: www.direct.gov.uk

The Social Exclusion Unit
web: www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk

Local Agencies Web Site
web: www.mentalhealthandwork.co.uk

Shift - the Line Manager's Web Resource
web: www.shift.org.uk/~employers

Why should I work?

To earn money is one main reason. But of course, work isn't just about money - there are plenty of other factors you'll have to consider when deciding what's right for you and your family.

How to decide

• Talk to other people on both sides of the fence - people who have returned to work after mental health issues and those who have not.
• Think about how much you enjoyed your work in the past
• Keep your work options open as long as possible - never cut off a possibility until you absolutely have to.
• Remember, whether you decide to stay on benefits or go to work, your decision isn't final.
• Not working doesn't mean a life of frustration with no opportunities for fulfilment.
  What matters is being realistic about the time and energy you have to offer - and not trying to do everything.

You should also think about the pros and cons of working versus staying at home:

If you do find work too stressful remember that people with mental health needs are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and that you are entitled to ask for reasonable adjustments to be made including looking at your job description, part time working, etc.

What some people have told me: "At first it was really hard and I wished I could be at home, but now things have fallen into place, although I don't think it will ever be easy. I've negotiated working two shorter days. I also have a great partner, which makes all the difference."

Information for Employers
This document - 'Menu for Employers' - is a menu of resources available to employers to promote mental health in the work place: Promotion, prevention, retention and support.

¹ Department of Health (2001) Journey to Recovery. Department of Health: London.
² Social Exclusion Unit (2004) Mental Health and Social Exclusion, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: London, ISBN 185112 7178

Last revised 15 July 2008

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