What is the WE:THRIVE Service?

What is WE:THRIVE?  

Wellbeing Empowerment Through Holistic Recovery & Inclusive Vocational Engagement (WE:THRIVE) is an innovative approach to help people who have mental and physical health challenges within the Cardiff and Vale area. 

The Service is modeled after Westminster's Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) initiative. 

We aim to encourage and support participants with a holistic approach to wellbeing and recovery through access to work based off their strengths, skills and preferences, leading to better mental health outcomes. The WE:THRIVE service is for anyone who wants support to obtain competitive, paid work as part of their recovery journey. 

WE:THRIVE is based on the 8 IPS evidence-based principles, proven to help improve outcomes in mental health. 

What are the WE:THRIVE Values? 

• Wellbeing- supporting you with your own wellbeing needs, whether those are financial, personal, social, confidence or more through a holistic approach, bringing employment into your recovery journey. 

• Empowerment- working together and supporting you to have the power make decisions and shape your outcomes. 

• Through- recognising that mental and physical health care is multi-faceted and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and providing a service that supports and empowers you to take the lead in your journey to recovery. 

• Holistic- we work alongside your care team- whether that's a GP, Community Health Team or other health professional to support your needs as part of your overall care to improve your mental health outcomes. 

• Recovery- promoting your empowerment, supporting social connections, financial stability, and overall well-being through employment which is proven to have a positive outcome on mental health. 

• Inclusive- there are no exclusions based on health diagnoses, health conditions or benefits status. 

• Vocational- working together with you and local employers to get you into competitive, paid work inspired by your personal preferences and goals, supporting both you and them in the pre-work and newly-employed stages, completely tailored to your and their needs. 

• Engagement- We work quickly, aiming to start an employment search within four weeks- even if you have been off work for years. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can IPSPC help? 
The IPSPC service is for anyone on a mental and/or physical health recovery journey who wants help either returning to work or in obtaining competitive 
employment. There are no exclusions based on your diagnosis, health condition or benefits status. 

How does working help my recovery? 
Many studies have shown employment provides income and routine, develops confidence, skills and helps build self-esteem and improve mental health. 

What if I do not have qualifications or experience? 
That’s not a problem; your Employment Specialist will discuss your qualifications and experience with you.  

What type of jobs are there? 
The IPS service works to find a job consistent with your employment preferences, engaging only with employers in the sector you are interested in working in. 

Will it affect my benefits? 
Your Employment Specialist will support you with benefits advice individual to you and your circumstances. 

What are the 8 IPSPC evidence-based principles? 

• We aim to get you into paid, competitive work. 

• The WE:THRIVE service is accessible to all who want to work with no exclusions based on diagnosis, health condition or benefit claim. 

• Our goal is to find jobs consistent with your preferences. 

• We work quickly - we aim to start job searches within four weeks, even if you have been off work for years. 

• WE:THRIVE Employment Specialists liaise with your clinical team, so that employment becomes a key part of your treatment and recovery. 

• Our Employment Specialists develop relationships with employers to help you find work based on your preferences. 

• We provide individual support for you and your new employer. 

• We can signpost you to benefit counselling, so you won’t be worse off. 

How do I take part?   

In order to take part, all you need to do is ask at your next appointment with your Community Mental Health Team and they will take your details. 

If you don’t wish to wait until your next appointment, simply contact your Community Mental Health Team and ask to be referred in - they can take your details over the phone or face to face at their reception desk. 

If you wish, you can also self-refer into the service by clicking on the link below. 

Self Referral

Someone from the IPSPC team will then make contact with you to begin the process. 

We are looking forward to working with you!