Tina Higgs is a 42 year old single mother from Leamore in Walsall. She has three children and has been a stay at home mom for the last 20 years. During that time she has tried to find work that fits around looking after her children but without success. 

Last year a team of social prescribers from whg were knocking on doors in the area to get children involved in the Walsall Together Holiday Activity and Food Programme. They knocked on Tina’s door and while they were they asked if she needed any help with anything else….her response ‘can you get me a job?’. 

Fast forward 9 months and Tina is now a clinical support worker at Walsall Healthcare Trust after taking part in the partnerships Work4Health programme and a shining example of the positive impact social prescribing and integrated working can have on people’s lives. 

Here Tina tells us all about her journey so far…

“It all started on the day Michelle (social prescriber) knocked the door. We were having a chat and she was telling me about the activity programme that the kids could join during the summer holidays. It sounded great and something which they would love to do so I was really interested in signing them up.  

“Before she left she asked me if there was anything else she might be able to help me with and I jokingly said “yeah can you get me a job?.” Little did I know she absolutely could! 

“When I was in college, before I had my children, I used to volunteer at a hospital and I loved it. So when Michelle told me about the Work4Health programme I was excited.”

Tina was interviewed for a clinical support worker role through zoom due to the pandemic and was told the next day she had been successful.

 “I nearly fell of the bed when they told me! It was part time which is exactly what I wanted with the kids and it’s basically what I do at home – make beds, clean and look after people which is what I love to do. 

“When you’re a single parent you don’t get out much so for me this is a great way to meet new people and get back some of my independence too.

“My dream job would be to become a midwife – and who knows maybe this is the start of that journey.”