Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Create the conditions for fair employment and good work for all
We know that good quality jobs are essential for people's health and wellbeing. For work to support a healthy life, as set out by the Health Foundation (https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-03/190325_THF_Infographic_No.9_Work_AW03.pdf (opens new window)) it should; pay fairly and offer lasting security, ensure good working conditions, enable a good work life balance, and finally provide training and opportunities to progress.
We want to create the conditions for high quality employment for every Gateshead resident.
Research (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/768979/A_guide_to_community-centred_approaches_for_health_and_wellbeing__full_report_.pdf (opens new window)) shows that volunteering and contributing to your local community can improve physical and mental health and offer valuable experience and skills on the pathway into employment
The action we will take
We will:
- help to create the conditions for local wealth, better jobs and economic growth across Gateshead
- encourage local enterprise through self-employment and develop community led, cooperative employment opportunities
- support sustainable, diverse and flexible opportunities for employment, innovation and growth
- develop opportunities for volunteering and social action as a positive pathway to work and remove barriers to participation
- support employers to create or adapt jobs, with flexible working patterns and the right support, to make it easier for people to balance employment with personal commitments that support their wellbeing and maintain their employment
- help employers to effectively promote and support good physical and mental health and wellbeing at work
- support employers to achieve recognised accreditation which celebrates organisations that create healthy workplaces and lead with fairness, opportunity and respect
- support our local public sector to offer apprenticeships and employment
- review how we currently support people into work, and recruitment processes, making sure this meets the needs of those who face disadvantage, and work to remove the barriers and inequalities that stop our communities from having access to good jobs
- upskill and support people who are returning to the workplace, including building digital and technological skills.
We will deliver this through:
- Gateshead Strategic Partnership
- Gateshead Economic Development Strategy
- North East Combined Authority SHINE programme
- Better Health at Work Award
- Gateshead's Local Plan
- North East Local Transport Plan
- Gateshead Transport Strategy (in development)
- North East Combined Authority Transport Plan
- North East Combined Authority Economic Development Strategy
- Volunteering and local VCSE organisations
- Apprenticeship Strategy
- Post-16 Education Strategy (in development)
- Tackling Poverty Together Strategy (in development)
- Growth Health Accelerator Programme
- Working Gateshead Programme
- Digital Inclusion Network
We will know we have made a difference when:
- all working age residents have access to good quality, sustainable work with decent pay and conditions
- all people in low paid, low skilled jobs have opportunities to build their skills base so they can progress and improve their standard of living
- accessible and affordable childcare is available to support all children, working parents and employers
- residents who face barriers to working are supported into jobs
- people are able to keep working when their personal circumstances change or they face life challenges
- employment statistics reflects the diversity of our population