Capability v Capacity – finding the confidence to return to work with a long-term health condition

Capability v Capacity – finding the confidence to return to work with a long-term health condition

By Amanda Mason

‍

My journey into Vocational Rehabilitation began almost 20 years after qualifying as a Careers Adviser when in 2015 when I worked on a pilot project as an Employment Adviser embedded in the ME/CFS clinic at North Bristol Trust. This led me to working as the Career and Employment Consultant for Vitality360, where I work alongside a multidisciplinary team of clinicians specialising in persistent pain and fatigue. My role is to focus on the work aspect of their rehabilitation whether that is identifying challenges and solutions to a sustainable return to work, career redirection or job seeking skills – all underpinned with an understanding of the need to integrate condition management strategies into the workplace or a new role.

I work with many people who describe themselves as driven and passionate about their job, spending years building up their skills, experience, and qualifications. Work is a huge part of who they are and when they become ill it hits them hard, so how can I support them when it feels as though that part of themselves has gone?

‍

Read On ...