Helping Western Bay residents find and keep jobs while they work through health concerns is the goal behind a new partnership agreement.

A memorandum of understanding between the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation and employment organisation Workwise, signed on Monday, aims to help people recover wellness through employment.

'Research shows that having a job you enjoy improves your health and wellbeing,” says Workwise chief executive Warren Elwin.

'It gives most people a sense of purpose, financial independence and a sense of belonging to the community.”

The new service named ‘Journey to Wellness', is funded by the Ministry of Social Development.

It has been created for Western Bay of Plenty patients who receive a Work and Income benefit, have a diagnosed health condition and want to return to work.

Warren says people voluntarily take part in the service.

'As well as employment support our team can help you to understand how working will affect benefits, usually in a positive way, and can support people to meet their Work and Income obligations,” he says.

WBOP PHO health and wellness staff were looking forward to working closely with Workwise and their clients, says WBOP PHO Services Leader Philippa Jones.

'The partnership will help support improved health and enable a greater number of people to get back to work, as employment is so supportive of good health,” she says.

Workwise employment consultants work with patients and their health professionals to understand health history, and together create a plan to best support their health needs while finding a job. All services are free and confidential.

The service support will continue for up to 12 months once people have found a job, to help them adjust to new roles and working lives.

To utilise the service people can speak to reception staff or health professionals at their GP clinic, their case manager at Work and Income, or contact Workwise directly on 0508 869 675 or visit www.workwise.org.nz.

The initiative is the latest of a number (including partnerships with NGO's such as Salvation Army and the Tauranga Homeless Shelter as well as the Department of Corrections) in which the WBOP PHO Health and Wellness Service is involved.