NHS Lanarkshire partnership
Working together for families
When the Working for Families partnership began, it started with one simple idea - that health and employability go hand in hand.
For NHS Lanarkshire’s Health Visiting Team and Routes To Work, that idea has grown into a thriving partnership that helps parents build confidence, regain stability, and move closer to employment.
Donna Wallace, Health Improvement Senior at NHS Lanarkshire, explains:
“It’s not just about getting people back into work straight away. Routes To Work helps people build their confidence, gain new skills and see that improvement in their mental and physical health. We know that when people are in work, their wellbeing improves - and that creates better opportunities for families.”
Donna Wallace, NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement Senior
Following early discussions between NHS Lanarkshire and Routes To Work, Shona Moir, Health Visiting Team Manager for Wishaw, recognised the potential straight away.
“I was blown away when I realised what Routes To Work could actually do. It’s not just about CVs - it’s about supporting people emotionally and practically until they’re ready. That’s what made me think: this could really work for us.”
Together, they built a referral pathway where health visitors can connect parents directly to Routes To Work for employability and wellbeing support. The process is now embedded into regular home visits - reaching families at key stages in a child’s early years.
The results have been transformative. In less than a year, over 30 parents have been referred through the partnership, with several already in work or training.
“It’s easy to use, it works, and it’s changing lives,” says Shona. “We’re seeing parents believe in themselves again - and that’s where real health and community wellbeing begins.”
