In a bid to promote the health and well-being of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the self-employed, the Welsh Government has announced the launch of the In-Work Support Service.

With an allocation of £8 million, this initiative aims to offer free therapeutic support to employees of SMEs and the self-employed who are experiencing mental or physical ill-health, helping them to remain in or return to work. The scheme will also extend its benefits to third sector employers across Wales.

The newly introduced service will provide accessible therapeutic assistance, encompassing support for common musculoskeletal conditions such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropody, and podiatry. Additionally, mental health support will be made available, including counseling and stress management.

Covering the entirety of Wales for the first time, the In-Work Support Service has the potential to assist up to 7,000 individuals. By enabling businesses that lack occupational health services to access vital support, the Welsh Government seeks to emphasize the correlation between employee well-being and a productive workforce. This investment in activities that promote good health is expected to yield economic benefits for businesses and organizations across the country.

Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, said:

“Businesses increasingly appreciate the link between wellbeing and a happy and productive workforce, and the economic benefits that investing in activities which promote good health bring to a business or organisation.

“This new scheme will enable businesses who lack occupational health services of their own to access important support for their employees or themselves. I’m looking forward to seeing smaller business’ across Wales, and their workers, benefit from the support of the new In-Work Support Services, which will now be available across the whole of Wales for the first time.”

In Powys, interested parties can reach out to Mid and North Powys Mind, which can be reached at Tel No 01597 824411 or through their website https://mnpmind.org.uk/in-work-support-service/.