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 […]
-
27 Jan / 17News
Opportunities with Think Ahead in 2017 – application dates announced
We can today announce the opening date for applications to join the Think Ahead graduate programme in 2018, and for two additional opportunities for students and graduates to work with us this year. Apply this year to join the Think Ahead programme in 2018 Applications to join our third intake, beginning the programme in July […]
-
9 Jan / 17News
Prime Minister backs Think Ahead in major speech
The Prime Minister Theresa May has highlighted the importance of Think Ahead, in a major speech today in which she set out her plans to “transform the way we deal with mental health problems, right across society and at every stage of life”. As part of her approach, the Prime Minister said that she wants […]
-
9 Jan / 17News
Breaking new ground in 2017
Chief Executive Ella Joseph is looking forward to seeing the first qualified social workers trained by Think Ahead enter the mental health workforce. 2016 was a big year for our charity. When Natalie Acton and I founded Think Ahead in 2014 we were driven by our certainty that people’s social circumstances – their relationships, support […]
-
7 Dec / 16In the media
2016 participants speak to Radio 4’s All in the Mind
Two of our 2016 participants have spoken to BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind about their motivations for joining the Think Ahead programme and the work they have been doing in their community mental health teams since September. I feel incredibly challenged, I feel inspired, I feel that this is the right place for […]
-
11 Nov / 16Expert insight
Film: “I really enjoy learning about people’s stories”
Deborah Waller was working in science communication when she heard about the Think Ahead programme. She graduated from UCL in 2011 with a degree in Human Science, but last year decided to look into changing career. Deborah said: “My focus was brought to mental health whenever it came up so I thought, this is something […]
-
9 Nov / 16News
Independent evaluation of Think Ahead begins
As part of our aim to build evaluation into how the Think Ahead programme works, earlier this year we invited proposals from external partners to carry out an independent assessment of our impact. We received lots of exciting offers, and we’re delighted to now be working with a team from the Universities of Durham and […]
-
1 Nov / 16Expert insight
Film: “I wanted to do something that helped others”
Al Tooms was studying English Literature at the University of Lancaster when he came across Think Ahead. Al was looking for a graduate programme that would lead him into a rewarding career, having previously done some volunteering with young people with mental health problems. After finding out more about what mental health social workers do, […]
-
25 Oct / 16Expert insight
“This is the place to come if you want to change the world”
We spoke to Paul Farmer, CEO of Mind, about the challenges in mental health and the value of social workers. What made you want to work in mental health? I started to see the importance of mental health at a personal level when I was young – a member of my family had mental health […]
-
11 Oct / 16Expert insight
“Social work is therapeutic input at its best”
Alivia Bray, a Think Ahead participant, has written about her experiences in her first few weeks of on-the-job training to be a mental health social worker. In a piece written for the Guardian, Alivia has reflected on her first few weeks working in a community mental health team, which she joined in September. She writes: “I […]
-
10 Oct / 16Expert insight
World Mental Health Day: Social work and mental health first aid
It’s World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme includes Psychological and Mental Health First Aid, bringing to light the importance of supporting people through mental health crises. For thousands of people who experience a mental health crisis each year, their lifeline isn’t a paramedic or a psychiatrist – it’s their social worker who answers […]
-
10 Oct / 16Expert insight
The role of social work in supporting people through crisis
Every year, thousands of people experience a mental health crisis. Jacqui Bell, an experienced social worker working with Think Ahead, describes the unique role that social workers play in supporting people through these situations. Crisis can affect anyone Anyone can experience a mental health crisis. They affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, whether […]
-
7 Oct / 16In the media
“Why I’m backing Think Ahead”
John Short, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, has written about why he jumped at the chance to partner with Think Ahead. Here’s the article in full, which first appeared on Community Care. When I started my career in 1983, I never expected to take the management route, and certainly never […]