Access To Work - How does it work and how do I access it???

Welcome to this month’s mini blog where I am building upon last month's discussion on mental health matters, this month, I delve deeper into a crucial support system that often goes unnoticed: the 'Access to Work' funding scheme.


In my role as a support worker/virtual assistant, I have had the privilege of working closely with clients who access the 'Access to Work' funding scheme to propel their businesses forward. It is disheartening to see that many people remain unaware of this valuable scheme and the support it provides, potentially missing out on the assistance they are entitled to.


Specifically, I work with individuals who have ADHD and ASD and have successfully obtained grants for support workers. Together, we tackle the challenges of planning, organising, and managing their business and personal affairs. However, as you continue reading, you will discover that 'Access to Work' offers various types of support and funding tailored to different disabilities and mental health conditions.


Join me on this journey as I shed light on the untapped potential of the 'Access to Work' scheme. Let's empower individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavours…happy reading…


Access to Work is a government scheme designed to assist individuals with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities in obtaining or maintaining employment.


Eligibility:

To qualify for Access to Work support, you must:


  • Have a physical or mental health condition or disability that requires job-related support.
  • Be 16 years or older.
  • Be employed, self-employed, or about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks.
  • Live and work (or about to start/return to work) in England, Scotland, or Wales (Northern Ireland has a different system).
  • Not reside in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.


Access to Work Funding: The program offers various forms of support based on individual needs, including:


  • Grants to cover practical support at work: This includes funding for BSL interpreters, note takers, adaptations to vehicles, taxi fares, support workers, and job coaches.
  • Support for managing mental health at work: Access to Work provides tailored plans and one-on-one sessions with mental health professionals.


Income and Benefits:


Access to Work support is available regardless of your earnings or savings. You can receive it alongside most benefits, as long as you work more than one hour per week. If you're receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you can access both ESA and Access to Work funding simultaneously if you work less than 16 hours a week.


Applying for Access to Work:


To apply for Access to Work funding, check your eligibility and submit your application directly to the scheme. For mental health support, you can apply through Able Futures or Maximus, depending on your circumstances.


Remember, Access to Work funding is aimed at providing practical assistance and support to ensure your success in the workplace or for the success of your business, regardless of your disability or health condition. Take advantage of this opportunity to overcome challenges and thrive in your professional journey!


For more detailed information, please refer to the official Access to Work website: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

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By Lucy Smith with a little support from my trusted friends ChatGPT and Jasper • February 23, 2023
Real-life Virtual Assistants vs. AI Virtual Assistants and Tools: Which One is Right for You? As a virtual assistant of the human variety, I have been recently started using more AI in my role and I have to say I am a fan! Whilst it isn’t always accurate and needs to be fact checked I have found using tools such as ChatGPT can save time and money for both my own and my client’s businesses. So, with my relatively new found use of AI I thought it would be a good idea as a blog to explore the differences between real-life and AI virtual assistants and tools, and provide insights into the benefits and drawbacks of each. I may be a little biased in this comparison. After all, I have a soft spot for the personal touch and connection that a real-life assistant can provide. But let's be honest, I can't deny the value of AI programmes like ChatGPT. In fact, I like to think of AI as my trusty sidekick, helping me out when I need to be in two places at once or when I just need a little extra brainpower to get the job done. So, while I may be Team Human, I can definitely see the benefits of incorporating AI technology into my business. Let's start with AI virtual assistants and tools. AI virtual assistants come in various forms, including chatbots, digital assistants, and voice assistants. Chatbots are typically used for customer service and can handle a wide range of inquiries. Digital and Voice assistants, such as Google Assistant/Home, Siri and Alexa are great for simple tasks like setting reminders, answering basic questions, and a firm favourite in our house is the kids asking Alexa to change the lights to different colours, which is another benefit in that you connect and control other home devices to them such as heating and lighting (with the cost of heating we don’t ask Alexa to do that one very often). Plus, they never tire or need a break, which can be a big plus for businesses looking to save time and money. However, they can also be impersonal and lack the human touch. I tend to think that AI virtual assistants are more often used in a personal capacity rather than business, but can see the value in reminding of business appointments etc… Now ChatGPT as I mentioned above has become my little sidekick over the last few months along with another programme called Jasper, I use both of these to support with my own and client’s social media campaigns, blog writing (including this blog) and research. The biggest advantages to using these tools are their ability to work around the clock and that they are also incredibly fast and can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, which can be a huge timesaver. On the other hand, AI tools are limited in their ability to fully understand and interpret human emotions and nuance, which can sometimes lead to miscommunication or errors in handling tasks and the data produced is not always accurate and needs to be fact checked, bear in mind the current prototype of ChatGPT only provides accurate data up to 2021 so it’s not quite there with up-to-date 2023 data. In contrast to the above, real-life virtual assistants of the human variety bring a personal touch and understanding of the client's needs, which can be difficult for AI to replicate. Additionally, human assistants can adapt to changing needs and preferences over time, making them a more flexible option. However, they do require time off and cannot be available 24/7 like their AI counterparts. To help you understand the differences between real-life and AI virtual assistants and AI tools, here is a handy little visual...
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