Wakefield’s healthcare workforce wellbeing increases through new project

A project that supports Wakefield District’s health and social care workforce with non-medical issues that could lead to time off work has seen an upturn of more than 70 per cent in people’s wellbeing.

In July 2025, Live Well Wakefield expanded its social prescribing service to support people working across local hospitals, GP practices and social care providers. The aim was to tackle the real-life issues that can lead to stress, sickness and time off work.

It is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

The new offer gives health and care staff free, one-to-one support for up to 12 weeks. Social prescribers use a NICE-endorsed assessment tool to understand what matters most to each person. Together, they create a personal plan focused on clear wellbeing goals.

Support goes beyond medical needs. It looks at everyday pressures that can affect health, such as housing worries, money problems, caring responsibilities and work-life balance.

Terri Hazelgrave, System Lead for Workforce Supply, said:

When staff feel well and supported, they are more likely to stay in work, recover faster and feel confident doing their jobs.

Non-medical issues can have a very real impact on someone’s health and their ability to stay well in work.

Social prescribers connect people to local voluntary groups, community organisations and statutory services. Alongside one-to-one support, the team runs workshops for both staff and managers.

Up to December 2025, 43 staff had been referred for one-to-one social prescribing support – with 21 follow-up assessments – and 123 people had been referred to workshops.

Results showed 90 per cent of people achieved their main health and wellbeing goal, 71 per cent improved their overall wellbeing and 24 per cent maintained high wellbeing.

In total, the team created 101 onward connections to local services and activities, leading to stronger support networks around them.

Rebecca Dunford, Social Prescribing Services Manager, said:

These are real improvements in people’s health and confidence.

When someone feels better equipped to manage life’s challenges, that has a direct impact on their ability to remain well at work.

Health and care staff who live and work in the Wakefield district can self-refer through the Live Well Wakefield Healthy Working Life webpage, call 01924 255363, ask their GP for a referral or speak to their line manager.