Page 12 - MENTAL HEALTH: The Yorkshire Post Covid-19 2020 Help E-Mag

Two Enterprising Women
have helped scores of individuals with mental health issues
by getting them ready for the workplace in the North Yorkshire region.
Emma Ward and Emma Wolff based in Scarborough are a part of a wider team at Yorkshire in Business.
It is run by founder Jenn Crowther who set up the support service for start-up businesses.
Jenn said’ Whilst supporting start- ups we noticed a trend many of these individuals had left high pressured jobs due to stress, anxiety and poor mental health; it was just as important if not more important that we addressed wellbeing for the sustainability and success of the business”.
Both Emma’s are employed as Business Support Key workers on the successful Action Towards Inclusion project. This is a Funded project by the European Union Social Fund and the Lottery Community Fund. The challenges and successes have been considerable for everyone involved.
Emma Ward said: “When we started the project, we soon discovered that people just wanted to be listened to and not judged. Everyone wanted to get better, manage their conditions. Self-employment was an option for many as each have their own talents and interests”
Emma Wolff explained: “Those that we came into contact with felt let down that others had given up on them. This led to many of them giving up on themselves
and experiencing a lack to trust in general. As a result, we became even more passionate about supporting the people that come to us. The majority of those we were trying
to help were experiencing mental health issues. These Mental health issues cover a huge spectrum and were impacting on all other areas
of their lives.” The inspiring duo skillfully adapted the programme
by implementing the wants and needs of the client into their project delivery.
Emma Ward said: “We built our support around the NHS 5 Ways of wellbeing which were then integrated into everyday life. Peoples’ anxiety levels dropped, and Social isolation was reduced.” The project was instrumental in founding a new collaboration between all support organisations across North Yorkshire and this collaborative method has been now rolled out to key workers on similar projects in the UK.
Emma Wolff explained: “We had to be realistic with regards to
expectation, the idea is that each person gains their own set of useful tools and coping strategies to ensure their success in the future.” The two Emmas have worked together at Yorkshire In Business for a total of six years. Emma Wolff studied for a Foundation Degree in Counselling Skills while
Emma Ward studied linguistics and worked in student support. The pair said: “We believe that by helping people to realise what they can achieve unlocks potential and allows them to build their self-belief and improve their mental health.”
Case Study:
Gareth joined the project in 2018 with a vision of becoming self- employed as an Abstract Artist & Specialist Decorator. Gareth was
a carer for his mother and had experienced mental health problems. Gareth spent his time with me working on himself and improving his confidence and wellbeing through a range of techniques and building his business plan and learning new skills to help him promote his business and move himself forward into his self-employment dream. Gareth is now a sole trader under the name 3-Key Arts and is enjoying his new career.
“My experience has been excellent throughout the process from my idea of a business to now fully set up and they have supported me to achieve this dream and gave me the skills to succeed. Emma and the rest of the team have been a life saver for me in this huge step in my life.
Thank you.”
Please visit his website and look at his portfolio of beautiful abstract paintings: 3-keyarts.co.uk