Empowering Minds at Work: Shellyanne’s Story with Work Well
Shellyanne Selwyn-Graham is a Senior Employment Specialist with Southwark’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team, a key player in our wider Work Well network. Her role involves helping individuals with mental health challenges find employment, empowering them to achieve their career goals. Shellyanne's work is central to the success of Work Well, an initiative embedded within our clinical services, designed to provide people with tailored employment support that is crucial to both their mental health and personal development.
What is Work Well?
Work Well is a network of nine employment support teams across south London, including Shellyanne’s team, focused on empowering individuals to take charge of their career journeys, regardless of the challenges they face. The initiative believes that work can be transformative for mental health, offering purpose, social connections, and personal growth. This is why Work Well is so important—it helps people realise their full potential through sustainable employment, which, in turn, supports their mental health recovery.
Work Well’s Mission
Work Well is founded on the belief that with the right support, anyone can achieve their career aspirations, regardless of mental health challenges. Our approach is:
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Person- Centred: We help clients make their own decisions about their career paths.
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Empowering: We equip clients with the tools they need to navigate the job market independently.
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Inspiring: We don’t just help find jobs; we help clients build long-term career goals that align with the life they want to live.
Why Employment is Key to Mental Health Recovery
For many, work is far more than just earning a living. It brings purpose, builds confidence, and fosters social connections. Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that work can play a pivotal role in mental health recovery and social reintegration. Work Well aligns with these findings and has been recognised by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as a crucial component of mental health care.
At the same time, we understand that work can sometimes be a source of stress. In 2022/2023, 875,000 people in Great Britain reported work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, resulting in 17.1 million lost workdays. This highlights why initiatives like Work Well are vital, as we help individuals overcome employment-related stress or regain their footing in the workplace.
How we support our clients at Work Well
Shellyanne and her team provide comprehensive support to clients at all stages of their employment journey. For those who are unemployed, Work Well offers personalised coaching, from identifying career goals to preparing CVs and practicing for interviews. Support continues even after a job is secured, ensuring clients have the resources needed to succeed and thrive in their new roles.
For clients who are already employed but struggling, retention support is available. This includes working closely with employers to implement reasonable adjustments, assisting with tribunal hearings, and connecting clients with legal advice when necessary. Through the free recruitment and workplace wellbeing service, Employ Well, local employers are also supported in creating more inclusive environments for individuals with mental health conditions.
Work Well: Paving the path to sustainable careers
At Work Well, with the right support, anyone can find work that supports their mental health recovery. Whether it’s helping someone find a job or supporting them through the challenges of employment, Shellyanne and the Work Well team are dedicated to empowering individuals every step of the way.
