Health and wellbeing
West Midlands Mayor visits WorkWell programme at Blakenall Village Centre
Published on
The Mayor of the West Midlands has visited Blakenall Village Centre to see first-hand how the WorkWell programme is supporting Walsall residents with health conditions or disabilities to access and stay in employment.
WorkWell is an early-intervention work and health support programme funded by the UK Government and delivered in the Black Country as one of 15 national pilot areas. In Walsall, the programme is led by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHFT) and delivered through the Trust and local partners coordinated via Walsall Together. The programme provides personalised one-to-one support and helps people to overcome health-related barriers to work before challenges become long term.
Led by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, WorkWell is supported through place-based leadership within the Walsall Together Partnership, which has been selected as one of 43 national pioneer sites for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP), reflecting a strong, system-wide commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.
“ Good health and good work go hand in hand, and what I’ve seen here in Blakenall shows the power of joining up local services to support people earlier and more effectively. Programmes like WorkWell are exactly what we need to help residents overcome health-related barriers, get back into work and share in the opportunities our region is creating “
During the visit, the Mayor met representatives from BCHFT, public health and primary care, as well as other local delivery partners and heard about the impact WorkWell is already having across the borough. To date, the programme has supported more than 1,800 people across the Black Country into employment pathways, volunteering or education, with strong feedback from participants.
The visit also highlighted the success of the GP fit note pilot programme which was launched May 2025 in Blakenall and Harden practices. The pilot enables earlier support for residents by linking primary care and employment services using the fit note scheme and social prescribing. Following positive outcomes, the pilot has now been expanded across all Walsall Primary Care Networks in December 2025, supporting the ambition of the council and health partners to improve health, wellbeing and economic participation.
“ We are proud to see innovative programmes like WorkWell being delivered right here in our communities. Blakenall Village Centre is a vital local hub, and this work shows how strong partnerships between health, employment and community organisations can make a real difference to people’s lives while supporting Walsall’s wider ambitions for inclusive growth “
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council, said: “WorkWell shows how early, joined-up support can make a real difference to people’s lives. By connecting health services with employment support in our neighbourhoods, we’re helping residents stay well, remain independent and access opportunities that support long-term wellbeing.”
Vicky Harris, Employment and Recovery Services Manager at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust added “By working closely with health services, local partners and communities, we’re helping residents address health challenges sooner, build confidence and move towards sustainable employment. Meeting with the West Midlands Mayor at Blakenall Village Centre and seeing him engaging directly with those delivering and benefiting from WorkWell reinforces just how important and impactful this early, joined-up support can be.
We’re proud of the progress made so far with the delivery of WorkWell and are excited to keep expanding this support so more people across Walsall and the Black Country can thrive.”
The visit reinforces the shared commitment of Walsall Council and health partners to neighbourhood working, improving outcomes by bringing services closer to residents, supporting healthier lives and stronger local economies.
