Applications now open to join the Think Ahead programme in 2020
We are delighted to announce that applications to join Think Ahead in 2020 are now open. Think Ahead is looking for talented graduates and career-changers who are remarkable enough to make a real difference in tackling the UK’s mental health challenge. Our work focuses on building relationships with adults living with mental health problems and […]
- 2 Jan / 20In the media
“We need to redefine what manhood means” – Think Ahead participant writes for The Guardian
A Think Ahead participant from our latest intake has written about the concept of masculinity, and how it affects men’s mental and physical health, in The Guardian. In his article JJ, who joined the Think Ahead programme last year, explains how what he terms “toxic hyper-masculinity” – the emphasis on needing to be strong and […]
- 5 Dec / 19News
Think Ahead alum wins Mental Health Social Worker of the Year award
One of Think Ahead’s alumni, Thea Radburn, has been honoured as “Mental Health Social Worker of the Year” at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019. Thea (pictured above, right, alongside Ingrid Richardson who won the Silver award in the same category) was a member of Think Ahead’s first cohort and completed the programme […]
- 26 Nov / 19Features
“It’s reminded her that she is valuable and able to give back to society” – The impact of Zoe’s work with Rafsa
Zoe (pictured above) is a Think Ahead participant who has been training and working with the London Borough of Wandsworth since 2018. For around a year, she was working with Rafsa*, who has lived experience of mental health problems. Here we’re sharing Rafsa’s story and the impact that working with Zoe has had on her […]
- 29 Oct / 19In the media
“I’m using my experiences to help other people with mental health problems” – Think Ahead participant shares her experience as a care-leaver with the BBC
This story was amended on 1 November to add that Kerry was also interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester, and on 19 November to add that she was featured in an article on the BBC’s website. Think Ahead participant Kerry (pictured above) has been interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Manchester, as well […]
- 10 Oct / 19Features
“I believe social workers have a huge and beneficial impact on the lives of people with mental health problems”
Think Ahead is marking this year’s World Mental Health Day by sharing the stories of two budding social workers, who joined the Think Ahead programme this year, and are passionate about addressing the UK’s mental health challenge. Mo Rahman and Hannah Morris have already joined hundreds of their fellow Think Ahead participants out in the […]
- 1 Oct / 19In the media
“I wanted to work on an issue that I felt strongly about” – Our Co-Chief Executives share why they set up Think Ahead
Our Co-Chief Executives Ella Joseph and Natalie Acton, who jointly set up Think Ahead in 2014 and have since run the organisation together, have shared why they left behind a career in the civil service to set up Think Ahead. “I wanted to work on an issue that I felt strongly about – which for […]
- 25 Sep / 19News
Think Ahead placed at number 36 in Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list
We are pleased to announce that Think Ahead is featured at number 36 in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list. It’s the third year running that our programme is included, and our position has improved by six places from the 2018 list, up from number 42. The list, which was published today, was created […]
- 23 Aug / 19News
“You’re coming to a space where there’s a new sense of optimism” – Summer Institute 2019 comes to an end
Participants in our 2019 Cohort have completed their six-week Summer Institute today, and are ready to embark on the next part of their journeys to become mental health social workers. The six weeks of residential training was delivered in partnership with Middlesex University, who are the academic partner for the Think Ahead programme, and took […]
- 19 Jul / 19News
Film: “You are embarking on something immensely valuable” – Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb MP addresses the new cohort of Think Ahead participants
As the first week of Think Ahead’s 2019 Summer Institute is drawing to a close, the 106 participants in our fourth cohort will have a chance to reflect on the new knowledge and skills they have gained so far, as well as the advice they have been given in sessions with Rt Hon Sir Norman […]
- 6 Jun / 19News
Join Think Ahead as a Recruitment Ambassador or Intern
We can today announce that we’re opening applications for two additional opportunities for students and graduates to work with Think Ahead. We’re looking for a number of current students to take on the role of Recruitment Ambassador at their university throughout the autumn term, and for a student or graduate to join us an intern […]
- 20 May / 19News
“Social work has the power to transform people’s lives” – Chair of Health Education England welcomes new participants
The chair of Health Education England – the body that coordinates the education and training of England’s health workforce – has welcomed our new intake of participants, who are starting the Think Ahead programme in July. Delivering the keynote speech at this year’s Cohort Launch Event on Saturday, Sir David Behan, who is a former social […]
- 30 Apr / 19News
Independent evaluation of the Think Ahead programme draws positive conclusions
Durham University and the University of Bristol have today published their independent evaluation of the Think Ahead programme, containing a raft of positive findings and concluding that the programme is “worthy of continued support and further development”. The evaluation followed the first cohort of Think Ahead participants, who completed our two-year programme in September 2018, […]