Oldham mental health services boosted with new psychology trainee roles

Jonathan Patachako, one of 23 new trainee associate psychological practitioners to be recruited by Pennine Care

Mental health services in Oldham 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.

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.

Shoban Adam, who studied psychology at Keele University is working with the learning disabilities team in Oldham, said: “I’m hoping to eventually get onto the doctorate in clinical psychology and this role is a golden opportunity for me to develop my clinical work.

"I was incredibly excited to get a place and I’m really enjoying the role, it very much feels the right job for me at the right time.”

The trainees will provide psychological support to patients and community groups, offering self-care techniques and promoting healthy emotional wellbeing.

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 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.”

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