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23 Jun / 23
From social worker to expert by experience – a personal account
Rebecca Regler, one of our Lived Experience Partners, graduated in social work nine years ago. After becoming an enthusiastic newly qualified social worker, she sadly became very unwell and was left disabled. Her life was turned upside down. Experiencing chronic pain, severe fatigue, and frequent joint dislocations, she became a wheelchair user and was no […]
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18 Jul / 22
Our submission to the Department of Health and Social Care mental health and wellbeing consultation
In April 2022, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched an open consultation to gather evidence and expertise from individuals and organisations to inform the government’s new 10-year mental health and wellbeing plan. At Think Ahead, we recruit, train, and develop the mental health workforce to provide the most effective support for people […]
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9 May / 22Features
How can loneliness impact mental health? We asked our Practice Specialists
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. The Think Ahead Practice Specialists, our in-house senior social workers with years of experience working across social work and mental health services, shared their thoughts on the real life impacts of isolation on mental health, and how we can better support people to connect […]
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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 […]
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9 Mar / 21In the media
Our voices should be key to developing and delivering services that support us
Caroline Butterwick, one of our lived experience partners, discusses how she uses her lived experience to make a difference in a piece for PosAbility Magazine. She explains: “For me, one of the unexpected benefits of service user involvement is the chance to take ownership of my narrative. “I get to tell my story in my […]
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15 Jul / 20In the media
Report: Public knowledge and perceptions of careers in mental health
We have today released new research showing that, while many people might be interested in working in mental health, there are widespread misunderstandings about careers in the field. All employers in the mental health workforce need to work together to bust some of these myths and raise awareness of how accessible and rewarding careers in mental health can be. Ella Joseph, Chief Executive […]
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7 May / 20In the media
“I am blown away by the speed and effectiveness of their immediate crisis response.” Think Ahead’s Co-Chief Executive writes about Covid-19’s impact on mental health services
Think Ahead’s Co-Chief Executive Ella Joseph has written about how mental health services are adapting to Covid-19, as well as predictions within the sector for its aftermath, in a piece for the NHS Confederation, the body that represents NHS member organisations. In the article, Ella shared insights gained through our Rapid Report, produced in response […]
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17 Mar / 20In the media
“I’ve always been interested in how masculinity affects men and their mental health” – Think Ahead participant writes for HuffPost UK
Men’s mental health, and the role that social workers play in helping them to address it, takes centre stage in an article written by a Think Ahead participant for the HuffPost UK. JJ, who is also an author and poet, began training as a mental health social worker with the Think Ahead programme in 2019. In this piece he discusses some […]
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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. […]
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5 Dec / 18News
New Lived Experience Partnership Chair appointed
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Oliver Wood as the new independent chair of our Lived Experience Partnership. Established in 2014, the Lived Experience Partnership ensures the needs of service users and carers are represented in everything we do. The group has been involved in shaping many aspects of our flagship training programme […]
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21 May / 18News
“It’s such a privilege when people open up to you” – participants share their experiences with new Think Ahead recruits
The launch event for Think Ahead’s third intake took place on Saturday (19 May). New recruits, who will begin the programme in July this year, came together for the first time to learn more about the role of a mental health social worker, and to start preparing for the programme. The day featured a number […]
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20 Oct / 17In the media
“I knew mental health social work was challenging, stimulating and varied” – BBC interviews Think Ahead participant
A Think Ahead participant has shared her story of how experiencing mental health problems inspired her to become a mental health social worker. Catherine, who started the Think Ahead programme in July 2017, had depression while she was studying at Manchester University. At times she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to finish her degree, […]
