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  • 29 Sep / 20
    News

    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 […]

  • 29 Sep / 20
    News

    Government provides up to £27m to expand Think Ahead programme

    The Department of Health and Social Care has today announced that it has awarded Think Ahead up to £27m, to fund at least two further cohorts of the Think Ahead graduate programme each providing 160 places per year – a 60% increase in the annual intake. Our programme offers talented graduates and career-changers a paid […]

  • 23 Sep / 20
    News

    Think Ahead voted a top 40 graduate employer for second year running

    We are delighted to announce that Think Ahead has once again been voted into the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list, ranked at number 40. This is our fourth appearance in the list, and the second year running that we have been in the top 40. The list, which was published today, was created based on interviews […]

  • 12 Aug / 20
    News

    “You’re coming into working in mental health at an incredibly exciting, and also challenging, time.” – Summer Institute 2020 comes to an end

    The Summer Institute for our 2020 Cohort finished at the end of last week – following three weeks of teaching to introduce our trainees to mental health social work and social interventions, and to prepare them for joining frontline services. This group of just over 100 participants are the fifth cohort to join the Think […]

  • 15 Jul / 20
    In 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 […]

  • 5 Jun / 20
    News

    Black Lives Matter

    Like many, many others, all of us at Think Ahead have been deeply distressed by the murder of George Floyd and the events that have followed it. We have been taking the time to reflect, listen, and learn before adding anything to the discussion. Racism is entrenched in our society and has a destructive impact […]

  • 22 Apr / 20
    News

    Rapid report: How mental health social workers are responding to the coronavirus pandemic

    We have today published a new report about how mental health services, and the social workers within these teams, are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The report, which is based on a series of interviews, explains the challenges services and professionals are facing, and how mental health teams are transforming their work to provide the […]

  • 24 Jan / 20
    News

    “We’ve been given the best start into the best career” – 2017 participants celebrate successful completion of the Think Ahead programme

    Our 2017 Cohort celebrated completing the Think Ahead programme and joining our alumni network at an event in York yesterday. The participants joined the Think Ahead programme in the summer of 2017 and have since spent two years training and working as mental health social workers, while achieving a postgraduate diploma, and subsequently a master’s […]

  • 5 Dec / 19
    News

    Think Ahead alum wins Mental Health Social Worker of the Year award

    One of Think Ahead’s alumni, Thea Radburn, has been honoured as “Mental Health Social Worker of the Year” at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019. Thea (pictured above, right, alongside Ingrid Richardson who won the Silver award in the same category) was a member of Think Ahead’s first cohort and completed the programme […]

  • 29 Oct / 19
    In the media

    “I’m using my experiences to help other people with mental health problems” – Think Ahead participant shares her experience as a care-leaver with the BBC

    This story was amended on 1 November to add that Kerry was also interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester, and on 19 November to add that she was featured in an article on the BBC’s website. Think Ahead participant Kerry (pictured above) has been interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Manchester, as well […]

  • 25 Sep / 19
    News

    Think Ahead placed at number 36 in Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list

    We are pleased to announce that Think Ahead is featured at number 36 in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list. It’s the third year running that our programme is included, and our position has improved by six places from the 2018 list, up from number 42. The list, which was published today, was created […]

  • 25 Sep / 19
    News

    Applications now open to join the Think Ahead programme in 2020

    Update: Applications to join the Think Ahead programme in 2020 are now closed. We are delighted to announce that applications to join Think Ahead in 2020 are now open. Think Ahead is looking for talented graduates and career-changers who are remarkable enough to make a real difference in tackling the UK’s mental health challenge. Our […]