Aquafit helps woman back into work after 14 years
BBC / Jonathan SwinglerA woman who spent 14 years out of work because of ill health has said taking part in aquafit classes helped her back on the road to employment.
Amy Mercer, 40 and from Hebburn, South Tyneside, joined the classes through an NHS scheme after a bladder condition, multiple operations and a stoma left her largely housebound and struggling with her confidence.
She said exercising in the water had eased her pain and helped her regain mobility - and get a job.
"I absolutely love it," she said. "It gives me my independence back again."
Mercer said attending the aquafit sessions had made her feel ready to look for work again and she had secured a job as a kitchen assistant.
The classes are part of WorkWell, a programme funded through the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which has received £30m in government funding to help people whose health conditions make it difficult to stay in or return to work.
The sessions are led by South Tyneside Council's healthy lives coordinator Jeanette Hurtado.
"This is about giving people the opportunity to have a normal life," she said.
"To get up, get a shower, go to the shops and have the confidence in themselves that they can do normal day-to-day things."
Health inequalities clinical lead at the ICB Dr Martin Weatherhead said people who visited their GP could be referred to a work coach.
"They can go into a bit more detail about what it is about work that's making it hard to go there," he said.
Mercer said the support had transformed her life.
"After 17 interviews, I eventually got employed," she said.
Government ministers said the expansion of WorkWell could help up to 250,000 more people across England back into work.
