- 1 Nov / 21News
Applications open: become a mental health social worker
We are facing one of the toughest mental health challenges of all time. If ever there was a time to make a difference, it’s now. The full effects of the pandemic are yet to be seen but it is estimated that 10 million people in England will need mental health support in its aftermath over the next three to […]
- 7 Oct / 21Features
My name is Matthew and I’m bipolar
My name is Matthew and I have bipolar type 2. That probably only means slightly less to you than it does to me. I don’t really like labels. They suggest there’s something concrete and tangible about my mental health that can be easily understood. I find my mental health really hard to understand so I can’t […]
- 17 Aug / 21News
“Human rights and community-based care – that’s where you are experts” – 2021 intake completes the Summer Institute
Our 2021 Cohort have passed the first milestone on their journey to becoming mental health social workers, having completed the Summer Institute. For the past four weeks, the 160 new trainees – our biggest intake to date – have been immersed in lectures, practical workshops and keynote talks with respected experts across the sector. Led […]
- 18 Jun / 21News
Two new trustees join Think Ahead’s Board
We have been delighted to welcome two new additions to our Board of Trustees, Levi Chambers-Cook and Professor Kamaldeep Bhui. Levi completed the Think Ahead programme in 2018 and is the first member of our alumni network to sit on the Board of Trustees. Her frontline experience will bring an important perspective to the position, […]
- 27 Apr / 21News
Think Ahead trainees meet Minister for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety
The Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety, Nadine Dorries MP, today joined us for a virtual meeting to learn about the invaluable contribution social work makes to mental health services. It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister of State today and show her the unique support mental health social […]
- 26 Mar / 21News
Think Ahead’s first conference – Mental health social work in 2021
We were delighted to be joined by over 350 delegates this week at our first ever conference, Think Ahead presents: Mental health social work in 2021. The event offered a rare opportunity to focus on the vital role frontline mental health social workers play in driving and responding to change. Our broad range of speakers brought a wealth of knowledge […]
- 9 Mar / 21Features
What is Social Work?
It is Social Work Week in England. A chance to celebrate the invaluable contribution social workers are making to people’s lives every day. But what does “social work” actually mean? There is no short answer. Or perhaps there is; it is about life and levelling the playing field of life. Enabling people to push past their […]
- 18 Jan / 21News
How we’re responding to the coronavirus
This web page was last updated on 18 January 2021. We will continue to update the page whenever we have new information. We are monitoring the coronavirus situation, and the third national lockdown, closely, and are ensuring that our policies and plans are in line with the best available evidence and the government’s advice. Our […]
- 27 Nov / 20News
Mental health social work is “so much more than the health silo” – Shadow Mental Health Minister meets Think Ahead community
We were delighted to welcome Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Shadow Mental Health Minister, to an online event this week with our current trainees and alumni of the programme. Part of an ongoing series of events with leading figures in mental health and social work, the interactive session tackled a range of issues mental health social […]
- 18 Nov / 20News
The frontline reality of mental health services during Covid – as featured in The Metro
With their support arguably needed now more than ever, mental health social workers are on the frontline in this pandemic. Like all of us, they’re doing what they can to limit face-to-face contact, but that’s not always possible when you’re working with someone who has a severe mental health problem. One of our past participants, Thea Radburn, wrote a piece for The Metro […]
- 20 Oct / 20News
“This profession is about making a difference and each and every one of you has done that”- Think Ahead’s 2018 Cohort join our alumni network
We were delighted to welcome another cohort of participants into our alumni network at a virtual ceremony on Monday 19 October. After spending the last two years training and working as mental health social workers, participants from our 2018 Cohort looked back on their experiences, as they became members of Think Ahead’s alumni network, joining […]
- 29 Sep / 20News
Applications are open to join the Think Ahead programme in 2021
Update: Applications to join the Think Ahead programme in 2021 are now closed. If you are a talented graduate or career-changer, remarkable enough to make a real difference in tackling the UK’s mental health challenge, the Think Ahead programme could be for you. On our paid, two-year programme, you’ll work to build relationships with adults living with mental health problems, empowering […]
