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Think Ahead

@thinkaheadmh.bsky.social

Training and developing a thriving mental health workforce to support people with mental health needs to live the life they want. thinkahead.org

153 Followers  |  184 Following  |  173 Posts  |  Joined: 19.11.2024  |  2.2645

Latest posts by thinkaheadmh.bsky.social on Bluesky

A photo of two woman sat on a safe together in conversation. There is a blue overlay across the image. White and yellow text reads 'social care is skilled, essential work that deserves better pay and conditions.'

A photo of two woman sat on a safe together in conversation. There is a blue overlay across the image. White and yellow text reads 'social care is skilled, essential work that deserves better pay and conditions.'

The Fair Pay Agreement is a long-overdue recognition that #SocialCare is skilled, essential work that deserves better pay & conditions.

The £500m commitment is a start but we need sustained workforce investment to:

✅improve conditions
✅tackle staff shortages
✅support longer-term reform

01.10.2025 13:33 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

We know Giles will be a valuable addition to the mental health workforce, and look forward to seeing him and our other trainees develop over the next two years.

#SocialWorkers #MentalHealthSocialWork

25.09.2025 09:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photo of Giles, a white white man with short dark hair. He is stood up and smiling at the camera wearing a grey top and blue jeans. Next to him white text reads 'Training as a social worker feels like a really exciting opportunity get out on my feet and engage with the local community.'

Photo of Giles, a white white man with short dark hair. He is stood up and smiling at the camera wearing a grey top and blue jeans. Next to him white text reads 'Training as a social worker feels like a really exciting opportunity get out on my feet and engage with the local community.'

Giles shares his motivations for training with us as a mental health social worker:

“I think it comes from a place of always wanting to work with people directly, having valued that in my previous roles in the charity sector.

I want to help people get the best out of everything on offer.”

25.09.2025 09:04 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Photo of two women sat down facing each other. The woman on the left has a laptop and is making notes on paper as well. Across the text a screenshot of an article headline reads 'from pet sitter to domestic abuse advocate: the unseen life of a mental health social worker.'

Photo of two women sat down facing each other. The woman on the left has a laptop and is making notes on paper as well. Across the text a screenshot of an article headline reads 'from pet sitter to domestic abuse advocate: the unseen life of a mental health social worker.'

There are endless misunderstandings about the role of a mental health #SocialWorker.

We love this Community Care article exploring the value of the role: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/27/from-pet-sitter-to-domestic-abuse-advocate-the-unseen-life-of-a-mental-health-social-worker/

22.09.2025 12:02 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photo of a front of a house, with an orange filter over it. White and black text reads 'We need a social approach to mental health.'

Photo of a front of a house, with an orange filter over it. White and black text reads 'We need a social approach to mental health.'

Difficult social situations can contribute to mental health ill health, but improving the social factors in someone’s life can be transformational.

Mental health social workers empower people to manage the social factors in their lives, providing life-changing support.

#SocialWorkMatters

16.09.2025 10:03 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photo of a front of a house, with an orange filter over it. White and black text reads 'Housing. Relationships. Employment. They can all impact our mental health.'

Photo of a front of a house, with an orange filter over it. White and black text reads 'Housing. Relationships. Employment. They can all impact our mental health.'

Social workers can support with the things that matter most to us all. Housing. Family. Employment. Community.

When someone is experiencing #MentalHealth problems, they may need support in all areas of their life.

#SocialWork #MentalHealthSocialWork

16.09.2025 10:03 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Responding to whether social workers will be in the next NHS workforce plan - Think Ahead Mental health social workers must be properly recognised as part of the NHS workforce. We were so pleased to hear Andrew George MP raise the vital question of whether social workers will be included in the next NHS workforce plan at this week’s Health and Social Care Select Committee session. This is something we said […]

This is something we said loud and clear in our evidence to the Committee earlier this year, and it's what we've been calling for in our #SocialWorkMatters campaign:

12.09.2025 13:22 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Mental health social workers must be properly recognised as part of the NHS workforce.
 
We were so pleased to hear Andrew George MP raise the vital question of whether social workers will be included in the next NHS workforce plan at this week’s Health and Social Care Select Committee session.

12.09.2025 13:22 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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World Suicide Prevention Day Every year, on 10 September, organisations around the world get together to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

Visit Samaritans' website for information and resources: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day/

If you need support:

📞call Samaritans on 116 123 (anytime day or night)
📧 email Samaritans jo@samaritans.org (can take several days for a response)

10.09.2025 09:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Teal background with yellow and white text that reads 'Just start the conversation. You never really know what a difference you could make.'

Teal background with yellow and white text that reads 'Just start the conversation. You never really know what a difference you could make.'

Teal background with yellow and white text that reads 'If you're having suicidal thoughts, talk to Samaritans. Call free on 116 123.'

Teal background with yellow and white text that reads 'If you're having suicidal thoughts, talk to Samaritans. Call free on 116 123.'

Starting a conversation about suicide can save someone’s life.

This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay we’re sharing this important message from Samaritans.

Small interruptions you make and actions you take could help someone who is suicidal - you don’t have to be an expert.

10.09.2025 09:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
The image is a job advert. White background with black text that reads 'We're hiring: business development manager'. The black text is highlighted in yellow. Underneath this bullet points outline the job as part-time 30 hours a week, offered as a 6 month fixed-term contract and a salary of £34,400. White text says that the advert closes on Tuesday 16 September.

The image is a job advert. White background with black text that reads 'We're hiring: business development manager'. The black text is highlighted in yellow. Underneath this bullet points outline the job as part-time 30 hours a week, offered as a 6 month fixed-term contract and a salary of £34,400. White text says that the advert closes on Tuesday 16 September.

📣 We’re #Hiring! Join our mental health charity as our new Business Development Manager.

If you have a passion for driving new business growth and supporting new projects, apply now: https://thinkahead.org/workwithus/opportunities-at-head-office/

Closing: 5pm, Tuesday 16 September

#CharityJobs

09.09.2025 10:12 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Community and mental health - lived experience insights - Think Ahead Two of our lived experience partners and Sarah, our Involvement Lead, share what community means to them. They discuss the importance of community and peer support, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. Saffron Community, to me, means connection, shared passion, as well as safety, and belonging—something that offers a sense of grounding when the world […]

Discover more about the relationship between community and #MentalHealth:

08.09.2025 10:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photo of a calendar with the word appointment written on one of the dates. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'I've encountered barriers like long waitlists, lack of tailored support, funding and just a simple lack of knowledge.'

Photo of a calendar with the word appointment written on one of the dates. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'I've encountered barriers like long waitlists, lack of tailored support, funding and just a simple lack of knowledge.'

Photo of a calendar with the word appointment written on one of the dates. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'The best community mental health support I've experienced has been person-centred, trauma-informed and flexible.'

Photo of a calendar with the word appointment written on one of the dates. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'The best community mental health support I've experienced has been person-centred, trauma-informed and flexible.'

Good community mental health support can be life-changing for people with mental health needs.

Saffron, one of our lived experience partners, shares:

🗣️ “The best community mental health support I’ve experienced has been person-centered, trauma-informed & flexible.

08.09.2025 10:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'to meet today's mental health challenges, their contribution must be recognised, properly resourced and expanded.'

Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'to meet today's mental health challenges, their contribution must be recognised, properly resourced and expanded.'

To meet today’s mental health challenges, the contribution of social workers must be recognised, properly resourced & expanded: https://thinkahead.org/news-item/why-social-workers-are-vital-for-mental-health-services/

#SocialWorkMatters #SocialWork

01.09.2025 09:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'social workers are vital for mental health services. We need more mental health social workers'

Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'social workers are vital for mental health services. We need more mental health social workers'

Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'social workers bring professional expertise, compassion and a deep commitment to social justice.'

Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'social workers bring professional expertise, compassion and a deep commitment to social justice.'

Social workers are vital for mental health services. They bring professional expertise, compassion & a commitment to social justice.

Lyn Romeo, former Chief Social Worker for Adults & one of our trustees, advocated for the role of social workers at @basw-uk.bsky.social  conference this summer.

01.09.2025 09:03 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

“It's a privilege really to be able to help people who are going through difficult times with their mental health and give them some support.

We’re really glad to have Lewis & the rest of our 2025 cohort, training with us, at a time when a strong mental health workforce is needed more than ever.

29.08.2025 10:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photo of Lewis stood up. Lewis is a white man, with brown curly hair wearing a red top, green jacket and blue denim shorts. Next to the photo of him white text reads 'I've always been interested in social justice and think mental health is a really big issue in today's society.'

Photo of Lewis stood up. Lewis is a white man, with brown curly hair wearing a red top, green jacket and blue denim shorts. Next to the photo of him white text reads 'I've always been interested in social justice and think mental health is a really big issue in today's society.'

🗣️“I've always been interested in social justice and I think mental health is a really big issue in today's society.”

Lewis, one of our 2025 trainees, shared with us his motivations for wanting to work in mental health and train as a social worker.

29.08.2025 10:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

Read why #SocialWorkMatters:

26.08.2025 10:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Orange background with white and black text and an image of the front of a document reading 'NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.' Above the image text reads 'There are 151 pages in the NHS workforce plan. Mental health social workers aren't mentioned once.'

Orange background with white and black text and an image of the front of a document reading 'NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.' Above the image text reads 'There are 151 pages in the NHS workforce plan. Mental health social workers aren't mentioned once.'

Misunderstood, undervalued, overlooked: social workers only make up around 2% of the mental health workforce.

🚨We’re calling on the government to recognise the value of social workers and include them in its upcoming NHS Workforce Plan.

26.08.2025 10:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

Supporting people with social issues like employment & housing, they offer life-changing support.

The government must recognise their value if they are serious about ensuring everyone gets the support they deserve:

19.08.2025 08:03 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Graphic of 8 icons of people. 7 of them are are a teal colour and one of them is yellow. Underneath the eight figures black text reads 'There are only enough mental health social workers in the NHS to support 1 in 8 people who have severe mental illness.'

Graphic of 8 icons of people. 7 of them are are a teal colour and one of them is yellow. Underneath the eight figures black text reads 'There are only enough mental health social workers in the NHS to support 1 in 8 people who have severe mental illness.'

🚨 There are only enough mental health social workers in the NHS to support 1 in 8 people who have severe mental illness.

Mental health social workers are vital professionals who can make such a difference to people’s life - but we need more of them.

#SocialWorkMatters

19.08.2025 08:03 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
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Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

If the government is serious about its aims of moving from “sickness to prevention” and “hospital to community”, it must recognise the potential of mental health social work.

Ready why #SocialWorkMatters:

12.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Green background with white and yellow text that reads 'everyone with a severe mental illness should have access to a mental health social worker.'

Green background with white and yellow text that reads 'everyone with a severe mental illness should have access to a mental health social worker.'

📢Everyone with a severe mental illness should have access to a mental health social worker.

Mental health social workers provide life-changing support – but the profession is continuously misunderstood, undervalued and overlooked.

12.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Green graphic with a photo in the middle of a group of people sat down in a lecture hall. Above and below the photo white and black text reads 'That's a wrap! Congratulations to our 2025 cohort finishing the Summer Institute!'

Green graphic with a photo in the middle of a group of people sat down in a lecture hall. Above and below the photo white and black text reads 'That's a wrap! Congratulations to our 2025 cohort finishing the Summer Institute!'

“I learned so much & met so many wonderful people. The future of social work is very bright.”

Those are the words of one of our trainees after the Summer Institute.

Congratulations to the 2025 cohort for completing five weeks intensive training as they begin their social work journey.

09.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Blue graphic with white and yellow text that reads 'It honestly feels like Alex saved my life. She certainly changed my life. And she changed how I perceived myself.'

Blue graphic with white and yellow text that reads 'It honestly feels like Alex saved my life. She certainly changed my life. And she changed how I perceived myself.'

Marie's key takeaways for our trainees:

“Please remember that every person you meet is an expert in their own life.

We're all experts through lived experience. Value that expertise. Be curious about it, learn from it and let it lead. Don't put people in boxes.”

#ThinkAheadProgramme

07.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Blue graphic with white and yellow text that reads 'She was never the powerful one in our working relationship - I was. She handed me back my power.'

Blue graphic with white and yellow text that reads 'She was never the powerful one in our working relationship - I was. She handed me back my power.'

Last week our social work trainees heard from Marie, who has lived experience of mental health needs and has worked with a Think Ahead social worker.

“Alex didn't support me. She was led by me. She advocated for me and we worked together to find solutions to problems in a way that worked for me.

07.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Why social workers are vital for mental health services - Think Ahead Lyn Romeo, Think Ahead Trustee and former Chief Social Worker for Adults, explains why social workers are vital for mental health services and supports our #SocialWorkMatters campaign – to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. Nation’s mental health crisis At this year’s British Association of Social […]

The upcoming NHS workforce plan must recognise social workers as a vital part of the mental health workforce - and we’ll keep campaigning to make this happen: https://thinkahead.org/news-item/why-social-workers-are-vital-for-mental-health-services/

#SocialWorkMatters

05.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Image of Lyn, a white woman wearing a black top, speaking at BASW conference. There is a white text box on top of the image with text saying 'our nation's mental health is at crisis point - and social workers are a vital part of the solution.'

Image of Lyn, a white woman wearing a black top, speaking at BASW conference. There is a white text box on top of the image with text saying 'our nation's mental health is at crisis point - and social workers are a vital part of the solution.'

Image of Lyn, a white woman wearing a black top, speaking at BASW conference. There is a white text box on top of the image with text saying 'we are now at a crucial moment. The government's workforce plan offers an important opportunity to make a clear statement about the future of mental health services.'

Image of Lyn, a white woman wearing a black top, speaking at BASW conference. There is a white text box on top of the image with text saying 'we are now at a crucial moment. The government's workforce plan offers an important opportunity to make a clear statement about the future of mental health services.'

🚨 “Our nation’s mental health is at crisis point - and social workers are a vital part of the solution.”

Lyn Romeo CBE, our trustee & former Chief Social Worker for Adults, chaired a @basw-uk.bsky.social conference session on how mental health social workers are essential in mental health services.

05.08.2025 09:02 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Image of a textbook open with two people's hands visible on the textbook. White and black text across the images reads 'Weekly round up: Summer Institute for our 2025 trainees.'

Image of a textbook open with two people's hands visible on the textbook. White and black text across the images reads 'Weekly round up: Summer Institute for our 2025 trainees.'

Summer Institute Roundup: Week 4 of 5! ✅

Our trainees are now four weeks into their journey training as mental health social workers.

This week they learnt about mental health diagnosis and treatment and social work theories and tools.

🗣️ Plus they heard from lived experience speaker Marie.

02.08.2025 10:01 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

The government must invest in social work so everyone with mental health needs gets the support they deserve, like Elizabeth: https://thinkahead.org/news-item/social-work-matters-our-case-for-investment/

#SocialWorkMatters

29.07.2025 11:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

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