“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 […]
- 9 Apr / 19In the media
“It’s very varied, no two days are the same. You’ve got to be prepared for that challenge.” – Think Ahead participant shares her experience with BBC Radio Somerset
Think Ahead participant Anna-Clare (pictured above) has been interviewed by BBC Radio Somerset about what made her choose to work in mental health, and what her role as a mental health social worker is like. Anna-Clare joined the Think Ahead programme in 2017, and is now a newly qualified social worker working in Somerset. Before […]
- 13 Feb / 19Features
“There’s nothing like seeing the participants change lives under your guidance”
A Think Ahead Consultant Social Worker (an experienced social worker supervising four of our participants) has shared a week’s diary with Community Care, the leading social care news website. The Consultant Social Worker – who chose to remain anonymous in order to protect the identity of service users – describes her working week supervising four […]
- 7 Feb / 19Features
“Sometimes you have to do a bit of paperwork to give someone freedom” – Think Ahead participant writes for Community Care
A Think Ahead participant has written a piece for Community Care, the leading social care news website, explaining why his attitude to paperwork changed drastically after seeing the difference it can make to a person’s life. The participant – who chose not to be identified to protect service users’ anonymity – is in his first […]
- 12 Dec / 18News
FILM: “It’s everything I want to do in my future career” – Participants share their learnings from the Think Ahead Summer Institute
Each year our new intake of around 100 aspiring mental health social workers start their journey at a six-week residential – the Think Ahead Summer Institute. It’s a great opportunity for them to get to know each other and learn the basics of mental health social work in an exciting and supportive environment, before taking […]
- 5 Dec / 18News
Think Ahead announces new chair for its Service User and Carer Reference Group
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Oliver Wood as the new independent chair of our Service User and Carer Reference Group. Our Service User and Carer Reference Group is a key part of the Think Ahead programme – it was established in 2014, and its aim is to ensure that the needs of […]