A YOUTH employment programme is helping young people find work.
WorkWell is delivering positive results in the Black Country, supporting 16 to 24-year-olds across all four boroughs as they move into paid work, training, or education.
Led by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust through its Employment and Recovery Service, the project has received more than 650 referrals over the period of October 2024 to October 2025, with over 330 young people formally joining.
More than half of those enrolled are now actively engaged in support such as skills coaching, employer introductions and job search mentoring.
Dale Stewart, learning and change manager at WorkWell, said: “The team at WorkWell are enabling pathways, building trust and helping turn referrals into real opportunities.
“These figures are not just promising, they are a testament to the ambition, resilience and potential of young people across the Black Country.
“The Mayor’s West Midlands Works plan is bold in its vision and its partners on the ground delivering services like WorkWell are helping to make the vision a reality in our communities.”
The Black Country continues to face persistent challenges in youth employment, with youth claimant rates above the national average.
WorkWell contributes to the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) youth employment strategy, which aims to deliver 20,000 opportunities for young people.
Young people interested in the programme can find out more at blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/workwell.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “People tell me they want to work and build better lives for themselves but are held back by barriers such as physical and mental health issues and access to meaningful work experience and training.
“West Midlands Works is our plan to change that and programmes like Workwell are fundamental in helping people overcome those barriers and find suitable work.”
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