Think Ahead launched by Care and Support Minister

The Think Ahead programme was officially launched this week by Norman Lamb, the Minister for Care and Support. Speaking at our launch event on 16 March, to over 150 guests including leading figures in health and social care, he announced a government grant of £1.6m to fund Think Ahead.

The launch was covered by the Guardian, the Times (£), and Community Care, and in a live interview with Think Ahead’s Chief Executive Ella Joseph on BBC Radio 5 Live. Frontline also posted a special blog entry.

As well as the Minister, the audience heard from Think Ahead’s Chair, Professor Dame Carol Black, and our Chief Executive Ella Joseph. Dr Sarah Carr, Chair of our Service User Reference Group, spoke about the way that mental health service users have been involved in developing the Think Ahead programme. She said: “People who use services are the ones who truly know what a difference a good social worker makes. So, from the start, the whole programme has been directly informed by first-hand knowledge of where and how changes and improvements need to be made; and what difference a good social worker can make to a person’s life. It is the stronger for it.”