Think Ahead Summer Institute begins

Today marks the beginning of our first ever Summer Institute – a major milestone for Think Ahead. The 96 talented graduates and career-changers that make up our first cohort are now together in Leeds, ready to begin six weeks of intensive learning in mental health social work.

The teaching is being delivered in partnership with the the University of York and the University of Central Lancashire. The residential will give participants a grounding in social approaches to mental health, including learning about different social interventions, understanding mental illness and its causes, applying legal frameworks, and developing leadership skills.

Natalie Acton, our Joint Chief Executive, said: “Today we’re celebrating a significant landmark in Think Ahead’s journey, with our first cohort of graduates and career-changers beginning their careers in mental health social work. This is a fantastic moment for Think Ahead and we are thrilled to be starting our first year with such an outstanding cohort of participants.”

The six-week Summer Institute is an integral part of our programme, as it equips our participants with the knowledge and skills they need to begin their on-the-job training in community mental health teams from September.

The first week of training focuses on an introduction to social work and mental health, and includes sessions run by Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults, and Ruth Allen, Chief Executive of the British Association of Social Workers and a member of our board.

The Summer Institute will be formally opened this evening at an Opening Ceremony.

Follow all the action from the Summer Institute on Twitter using #ThinkAheadSI.