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 […]
- 29 Oct / 19In the media
“I was the class counsellor that people came to when they had a problem.” – Think Ahead participant shares her experience as a care-leaver with BBC Radio 5 Live
This story was updated on 1 November to add that Kerry was also interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester. Think Ahead participant Kerry (pictured above) has been interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live about her experiences in care as a child, and how they inspired her to pursue a career as a mental health social worker. […]
- 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, […]
- 24 Apr / 19In the media
“He’s optimistic about his future and so am I. It’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile.” – Participant shares a week in his life with the Guardian
Think Ahead participant Benji has shared the details of a week in his job, for the Guardian’s “My working week” series. In the article Benji, who is a qualified social worker currently in his second year on the Think Ahead programme, talks about how he supports adults with mental health problems to work towards recovery. […]
- 12 Apr / 19In the media
“You learn a lot about yourself and your own strengths” – Think Ahead participant tells Radio Essex about her journey
Think Ahead participant Georgie has spoken about her experience on the programme, and the career options open to mental health social workers, on Radio Essex. In the interview Georgie explained how she initially came to train as a mental health social worker. “I definitely knew that I wanted to work in mental health, but I […]
- 11 Apr / 19News
“It has strengthened social work’s role in community mental health team transformation” – Impact Update 2019 published
Our first cohort of participants, who joined Think Ahead in 2016, completed the programme in September 2018. [Partnering with Think Ahead has] made the Board more aware of social work, heightened the profile of social work, and strengthened social work’s role in community mental health team transformation. Service manager from 2018 partner organisation Six months […]