Mental health services in Greater Manchester will receive a boost following the creation of a new psychology trainee role.
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability and autism services, has recruited 23 new trainee associate psychological practitioners to work within community mental health, primary care networks, children and adolescent mental health (CAMHS), early intervention and learning disabilities in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop.
The aim is to improve access to mental health support in local communities and to provide a new career route for psychology graduates to join the NHS.
Psychology graduate Jonny Patachako, had previously been working in research at Manchester University NHS and has now joined the CAMHS team in Oldham, said: “Before I studied psychology at university, I worked as a youth coordinator for a charity that helped asylum seekers and refugees. At the time I wished I could do more to help them with their mental health. It was so clear that they needed help and support and something had to change.
“It transformed my outlook and working in mental health became an ambition and passion for me – particularly supporting children. It’s early days in my role but the team here are hugely supportive and I’m starting to find my place.”
The trainees will provide psychological support to patients and community groups, offering self-care techniques and promoting healthy emotional wellbeing.
Madhia Bobat, who studied psychology at university 15 years ago and has worked in the prison service and Manchester City Council’s children’s services, is a trainee associate psychological practitioner within the Heywood and Middleton community mental health team. Madhia said: “I have always wanted to pursue a career in psychology and I was so excited when this opportunity came up. I am very grateful to be given this opportunity to develop a new career in the NHS. I will be working therapeutically with patients within our mental health team by delivering psychologically informed, evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioural techniques, solution-focused approaches and mindfulness based skills.”
Phoebe Perry, who studied psychology at University of Chester and Manchester Metropolitan University and is now a trainee associate psychological practitioner within Bury community mental health team, said: “I’ve worked within the prison service for the past few years in family intervention – so working closely with children and families. When I saw this role being advertised it looked like an amazing opportunity and knew the role was just what I’ve been looking for. It’s a great career pathway as I’ll receive a postgraduate diploma plus develop new professional and personal skills.”
The trainees are employed through Pennine Care while studying for a post graduate diploma with the University of Central Lancashire and are part of the second cohort of graduates to join this innovative scheme in the North West.
Jayne Taylor, lead consultant clinical psychologist at Pennine Care, said: “There is a national shortage of psychological professionals and yet it is incredibly competitive and difficult to get onto that career path. The creation of these roles is a much-needed initiative to help address the shortages of mental health practitioners to help our patients, while providing a graduate pathway for psychology students to join the NHS.”
