Hammersmith and Fulham Mind are running an innovative FREE service for people who are employed in London but are struggling to manage their work health balance.  

In Work Support will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your referral by phone or through our website and will meet with you within a week to discuss how best to support you through your difficult time.

We can  provide the following service:

• One to one and confidential face to face support
• Ongoing telephone support
• Support you to deal with adjustments to your hours or tasks.
• Plan and organise a safe and gradual return to work with you.
• We can speak to your employer or support you to do so.
• If you need additional help with your state of mind, we can point you in the right direction
• Work with you and your employer to find solutions that will assist you to work more effectively.

The service is London wide and we have so far had very successful outcomes for people with all sorts of needs ranging from depression to schizophrenia, work related stress, adjustments to make your working life easier such as breaks, working environment, help on how to communicate your needs or health condition with your employer, recent diagnoses, bereavement. The key is to not be afraid to ask for help, it is free and there is nothing to lose only to gain.

The service is completely confidential and nothing is communicated with your employer without your consent. If you require further support we will sign post you to the appropriate service.

If you would like more information please call us on 020 7471 0586 or through our website www.inworksupport.org.uk

The following is a case study from Peggy:

Peggy has been working as a receptionist for the last 5 years at a big company. Due to a promotion she had an increase in tasks. Several weeks later Peggy noticed that she felt more stressed and that she had headaches more often. Months later she started to worry excessively and hyperventilate when she felt under enormous stress. Peggy felt very responsible all the time and even during her days off she couldn’t stop thinking about work.
She went to the GP because she felt as if she couldn’t cope anymore.
The GP advised her to rest for the next two weeks. He also referred Peggy to the In Work Support programme. During the first session it became clear that Peggy had difficulties in setting her boundaries and expressing her needs to her employer. She also didn’t know how to relax and how to stop worrying. In order to assist Peggy getting back to work and to reduce long-term absence, the Inwork support team liaised with her employer about the best way to support her when she gets back to work. Adjustments were made in the workplace and a temporary change in tasks had been advised. In the meantime Peggy used the exercises and learned how to relax, strengthen her style of coping and to set her boundaries. Additionally Peggy was referred to a counsellor to help her deal with her hyperventilation problems.
Peggy has now returned to work and is in weekly contact with her In Work Support advisor.


Eleanor Mitchell
Employment Services Manager
Hammersmith and Fulham Mind