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  • 22 Aug / 23
    In the media

    Finalists in Social Work Awards 2023

    We are delighted that three current and former Think Ahead trainees and one of the programme’s academic tutors are finalists in the Social Work Awards 2023. Karla Coppendale (2022 cohort), James Hussain (2021 cohort), Eleanor Hinchcliffe (2017 cohort) and David Bulmer (Senior Lecturer in Social Work for Middlesex University) have each been nominated and announced […]

  • 18 Aug / 23
    News

    2022 Cohort finish their first year

    Congratulations to our 2022 cohort for completing their first year of our mental health social work programme. From music teachers to journalists our 2022 trainees came from a broad range of backgrounds and started their social work journey in July 2022 with a five-week summer institute. Over the past year they have studied for a […]

  • 10 Jul / 23
    News

    2023 cohort begin their training journey

    A new programme has begun for our latest group of trainees. The 2023 Cohort kicked off their training journey with a day of introduction talks and teaching at the 2023 Summer Institute. The new trainees will join NHS trusts and local authorities across the country, some joining community mental health teams, and some more specialised […]

  • 16 Mar / 23
    News

    Supporting job seekers living with mental health problems

    We are delighted to be joining forces with the not-for-profit organisation, Social Finance, to help bring specialist support to job seekers living with mental health problems. Commissioned by NHS England, we are embarking on a two-year joint project to expand Individual Placement and Support across the country. Working with the 70 Individual Placement Support providers […]

  • 7 Oct / 22
    News

    Philippa Mariani announced as new CEO

    As we say a sad goodbye to our co-founder, Ella Joseph, we are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive. Philippa Mariani will be joining Think Ahead in December 2022. Philippa is an experienced strategic leader with a commercial outlook and a strong track record at CEO level in mental health and […]

  • 3 Oct / 22
    News

    Do something that matters: Train with us

    Times are tough for us all right now, especially for those of us living with mental health problems. Now is the time to choose a career that changes lives. With the right support, from the right person, anyone with a mental health problem can thrive. And you could be that person – giving that support. […]

  • 25 Jul / 22
    News

    Ella Joseph stepping down as CEO

    Our co-founder, Ella Joseph, is leaving Think Ahead after eight years as the charity’s Chief Executive. Ella is going to take up the reins at a national charity that provides accommodation to families who have children in hospital. Ella said:  “It’s eight years since I joined Think Ahead as it’s co-founder and I have loved […]

  • 11 Jul / 22
    News

    Let the training begin: 2022 Cohort start

    Our 2022 Cohort have begun their training to become mental health social workers, kicking off their journey with a day of welcome talks and teaching at the first day of our Summer Institute. This is our seventh cohort to join the programme, meaning that we have taken on 823 trainee social workers since our first […]

  • 16 Jun / 22
    News

    Welcoming the 2022 Cohort

    Members of our 2022 cohort have kicked off their journey to become mental health social workers. The new trainees attended an online launch event on 11 June, and heard from current and past trainees, members of our Service User and Carer Reference Group, head office representatives, and staff from our academic partner Middlesex University. The […]

  • 14 Mar / 22
    News

    Social Work Week 2022

    It is Social Work Week in England, an opportunity to bring people together to learn, connect, and promote social work. A chance to celebrate the profession; a profession that has arguably never been needed more than it is today. Particularly mental health social work. Social work and me This year, Social Work England has set theme […]

  • 20 Dec / 21
    News

    Committed to being an anti-racist organisation

    Background In December 2020, we made a public commitment to become an anti-racist organisation. We outlined how we would make progress in achieving this and pledged to update on our commitments. In 2020, we committed to the following: Recruiting more people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities into our graduate programme. Ensuring our curriculum […]

  • 1 Nov / 21
    News

    Become a mental health social worker

    *Applications to join our programme are now closed but we will open for our 2023 intake this autumn. To receive updates about the programme, please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and twitter. We are facing one of the toughest mental health challenges of all time. If ever there was a […]