Focusing on wellbeing brings Neil a new outlook on work

Neil was referred to Surrey WorkWell Mental Health Advisor Service when he was experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety alongside symptoms of depression. At that stage, he didn’t feel ready to think about employment and needed to focus on his wellbeing.

He was put in touch with Lauren, a Mental Health Advisor at Fedcap, which is delivering the WorkWell service on behalf of Surrey County Council. Lauren began by working with Neil to create a toolkit of practical techniques he could use whenever he felt overwhelmed. These included box breathing, the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method, and the Circle of Control to help him recognise where to focus his energy and when to practise acceptance. Neil finds comfort in nature and often chose to sit outdoors during his video appointments with Lauren while he practised these methods and talked through how he was feeling.

As Neil started to feel more stable, he wanted to improve how he communicated with others. Together with Lauren, he explored assertiveness techniques and worked on responding to situations rather than reacting to them. By recognising his triggers and naming the emotions he experienced, Neil learned to approach interactions with greater self-awareness and control. Over time, Neil noticed a lift in his mood and started thinking more positively. This growing confidence, coupled with his hard work and determination, led him to attend his first jobs fair, something that at the start of his journey would never have been an option. His progress continued rapidly from this point, where he felt confident enough to start applying for roles. He not only secured a second-stage interview but has now been offered the role of a Support Worker and is due to start work in September.

After completing his time on the service, Neil completed health outcome measures which showed a 67% improvement in his mental health-related quality of life and an 89% improvement in his ability to manage work and social functioning. For comparison, improvements of just 10–20% are usually considered meaningful in mental health outcomes, making Neil’s progress truly exceptional.

Reflecting on his experience, Neil said:
“Lauren, you are the best! Thank you so much. I hope Fedcap realise what a great asset you are — I feel really lucky to have had you help me. I always come off the phone with a smile and wish you all the best for the future.