Jamie Hepburn MSP visits SAMH service in Clydebank
27th June 2017
Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training today visits SAMH IPS (Individual Placement and Support) employability service in Clydebank, which supports people with mental health problems who are out-of-work.
Jamie met some of the people who use the service as well as staff and was able to see first-hand the positive impact the IPS model can have on individuals with mental health problems wishing to get a job or move into training or education.
The IPS programme, funded by The Big Lottery Fund and delivered in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership supports people into work through a person-centred approach tailored to their specific employment goals. Bespoke plans are developed with the individual based on their own interests using SAMH’s ‘Tools For Living™’ programme.
The visit was hosted by SAMH Chief Executive Billy Watson, with discussion with IPS clients and staff about the service.
SAMH Chief Executive Billy Watson said:
“We are delighted to welcome Jamie Hepburn MSP to our IPS employability service in Clydebank today. We are committed to supporting people with mental health problems into work.
“We know that 79 per cent of people with severe and enduring mental health problems are not in work, and this figure hasn’t changed for decades. This is something SAMH wants to see change.
“We welcome the Scottish Governments inclusion of the IPS programme in the new Scottish employability service, Fair Start Scotland, from April 2018. We want to see IPS widely available.
“Employment is an integral part of recovery from mental ill health, and our IPS service has far more impressive results than other employability programmes operating in Scotland for individuals with mental health problems. It provides a wide range of benefits including a better sense of social inclusion as well as an increase in self-confidence.”
A SAMH IPS client said:
“The IPS programme really helped me to feel like I was a person again. I really felt like I was at the centre of things and my IPS worker had my best interests at heart but also respected my wishes.
“I got a job that I really love and feel more confident than I have in years. Working has really helped me deal with my anxiety and I feel like I can do even more now.”
Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said:
“We recognise people with mental health conditions can face very specific challenges to secure and sustain work, which is why employability projects like SAMH’s in Clydebank are important, as they provide tailored support and help people to break down those barriers.
“A person centred approach is at the heart of our newly devolved employability programmes which are helping as many as 4,800 people with health conditions and disabilities in the transitional year. The new devolved services have fairness, dignity and respect at their core, which will create a strong platform for us to build on for the full roll-out of Fair Start Scotland in 2018.”
