More than 80 local employers and partners came together at The Lost Gardens of Heligan this week for the Keep Cornwall Working: Inclusive Employment Workshop. 

Around 2.8 million people in the UK are economically inactive because of ill health or disability, while millions more are working with health conditions or facing barriers that limit what they can do.  

Hosted by Cornwall Council and Seetec as part of the national Keep Britain Working programme, the event brought together businesses to discuss workforce challenges and identify solutions that support both employers and employees. 

Cornwall is a Keep Britain Working Vanguard area, giving local employers the opportunity to help shape future approaches to work, health and employment support at both a local and national level.  

The latest Keep Britain Working update, A National Growth Opportunity, highlights that health-related economic inactivity costs the UK economy around £212 billion each year and argues that for too long it has been framed mainly as a welfare problem when what it actually is, is one of the UK’s largest and most attainable productivity and growth opportunities. The report also sets out the current development of a Workplace Health System. 

During the event, which was attended by representatives from the national Keep Britain Working team, employers shared their experiences of supporting workforce wellbeing, reducing sickness absence and responding to recruitment and retention challenges, while learning about support available through Connect to Work, WorkWell and other employment initiatives. 

Stacey Sleeman, Head of Growth and Skills at Cornwall Council said:

 "Today's workshop provided a valuable opportunity for employers across Cornwall to share their experiences of supporting the health and wellbeing of their workforce and identify where additional support is needed. Importantly, it ensured Cornwall employers could help shape national conversations about how we support people to stay in work, return to work and thrive in employment." 

Representatives from the national Keep Britain Working team attended the event to hear directly from Cornwall employers and gather insight to inform future policy development. 

Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review and Co-Chair of the Keep Britain Working programme, said: 

“The places that Keep Britain Working works with are essential for the development and scaling of the Workplace Health System, and hearing directly from employers and employees about the workplace health innovation already underway in Cornwall is playing a crucial role in these plans.

“A national movement is growing and there is tremendous momentum across all four nations of the UK as we build a new system capable of changing outcomes and improving lives – at national scale.” 

The event also featured real life examples from employers and employees, highlighting how flexible approaches, early intervention and tailored support can help people remain in employment and thrive at work. Discussions explored the different challenges faced by businesses across sectors and reflected on the support employers needed to keep Cornwall's workforce healthy, resilient and productive.  

Feedback gathered during the workshop will help shape the future development of local employment support services while contributing to wider national work through the Keep Britain Working programme.