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  • 11 Jun / 25
    News

    Responding to Spending Review

    Today’s Spending Review gives us a crucial insight into what the government’s priorities really are – but we want to see more done to ensure mental health gets the urgent attention it needs. Impact on people with mental health needs We welcome the investment in the NHS and the expansion of mental health support in […]

  • 21 May / 25
    News

    Responding to Community Care poll

    We have been heartened by the response and support we’ve had from many in the sector and from our partner organisations over the last few weeks, following the news that the Department of Health and Social Care will not continue funding our programme beyond our 2025 intake. We are incredibly proud of what we have […]

  • 30 Apr / 25
    News

    News about Think Ahead’s future funding

    We’re sad to share news that the Department of Health and Social Care has decided not to continue funding the Think Ahead programme for the 2026 Cohort and beyond. Our 2025 Cohort – due to start this summer – will go ahead as planned. We are extremely disappointed with this decision. The Think Ahead programme […]

  • 13 Dec / 24
    News

    Announcing our new Trustees

    We’re thrilled to announce the addition of two new trustees joining our board. Lyn Romeo CBE and Steve Oldfield CB have now joined our board, alongside Peter Hay CBE, our new Chair of the Board. Philippa Mariani, CEO said “We are delighted to welcome Lyn Romeo and Steve Oldfield to our board.  Respected experts in […]

  • 6 Dec / 24
    News

    With Insight Education partnership: changing the narrative 

    We are delighted to share that we’ve partnered with pioneering educational charity With Insight Education. With Insight Education is on a mission to ensure the representation of black heritage students at university and in careers, reflecting the available talent of young people. For the start of this collaboration members of our alumni community spoke to […]

  • 2 Dec / 24
    News

    Social work must be prioritised in 10 Year Health Plan

    In our response to the NHS Change Consultation, we are calling for the government to prioritise “forgotten” mental health social workers. Policymakers have a blind spot which continuously overlooks the impact mental health social workers have in improving patient outcomes. But it is mental health social workers who hold the key to fulfilling the government’s […]

  • 1 Nov / 24
    News

    Supporting the approved mental health professional network

    We are delighted to be supporting the approved mental health professional network. In partnership with PCH (which is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care) we are working with five local authorities, we are embedding the National Service Standards to improve service delivery for people. Alexia Fenwick, Professional Development Lead explains: “Approved mental health […]

  • 15 Oct / 24
    News

    Think Ahead turns 10

    “It began with a spark of an idea to make the social, economic and environmental factors affecting people’s mental health the bedrock of training for careers in the sector. From that spark grew the highly regarded organisation that Think Ahead is today.” Those are the words of our Chief Executive, Philippa Mariani, about Think Ahead’s […]

  • 15 Oct / 24
    News

    Become a mental health social worker: apply today

    Applications for our 2025 entry to our mental health social work programme are now open.  Gain a fully-funded postgraduate diploma and master’s degree in social work. Be an advocate for local people in your community with mental health problems. Earn as you learn with dedicated support from experienced social workers and academic tutors. Start a […]

  • 23 Aug / 24
    News

    Alumni recognised in Social Work Awards

    We are delighted to share that two former Think Ahead trainees are finalists in the Social Work Awards 2024. Hannah Kingsford and Emma Crowe have both been announced as finalists in their two categories. Emma Crowe – Mental Health Social Worker of the Year Finalist Emma joined our programme in 2019, after volunteering for listening […]

  • 15 Aug / 24
    News

    2024 trainees preparing for placement

    As this year’s Summer Institute draws to a close, our 2024 trainees have passed the first programme milestone to becoming mental health social workers. The five-week intensive learning experience has laid the groundwork for their placements at NHS trusts and local authorities, beginning later this month. Blending online and lecture-based learning, with workshops and practical […]

  • 1 Aug / 24
    News

    Welcoming our new trustees

    Think Ahead is delighted to welcome three new trustees, appointing Aparajita ‘Aps’ Ajit, Peter Molyneux and Liam Sloan to its Board. The organisation believes that a thriving mental health workforce is key to ensuring every person can live the life they want. It was founded in 2014, to deliver an accelerated recruitment and training programme […]