Launch Event

Aspiring Psychologist Community of Practice Launch Event – 27^th September 2024

Following interest from Psychological Professions Network South East (PPNSE) members an Aspiring Psychologist Community of Practice (AP CoP) was set up, a committee convened, and an interesting and informative launch event run on the 27^th September 2024. The launch event consisted of four sections.

1. The background and context of the AP CoP development
2. Professional Leadership
3. Breakout sessions to discuss future programme activity
4. Member Involvement

• The background and context of the Aspiring Psychologist Community of Practice (AP CoP) development.

Recruitment onto psychologist training programmes is competitive and expectations of trainees’ knowledge and awareness is high.  Mina and Mel (Co-Chairs of AP CoP), therefore, felt that it would be supportive to those aspiring psychologists to have access to conversations that they may not have access to within their current roles, such as NHS structures, commissioning, current issues and the benefits and challenges of the various psychologist disciplines.

The PPNSE Co-Chairs, provided enthusiastic support for this idea and Mina and I went on to find a passionate and engaging committee. After a short application period, we found four engaged individuals all with different backgrounds, experience and ideas to drive forward this agenda. Our committee includes Assistant Psychologists, Trainee Clinical Associates in Psychology and Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners.

• Professional Leadership – Dr Adrian Whittington

Dr Adrian Whittington (National Clinical Lead for Psychological Professions for NHS England) delivered an informative and interesting session on developing your Leadership ability. This session covered Adrian’s personal view on leadership in the NHS, how we can lead from any position, why followship is important and how to develop our own leadership capabilities.

Adrian also shared some powerful resources on leadership development including his favourite books and a link to the Leadership Academy. These can be found on the NHS Future platform which Aspiring Psychologist Community of Practice members have access to on registration.

Finally, Adrian finished with asking us to reflect on two questions in order to develop leadership. These questions asked us to reflect on our own positions, leadership and what we would like to do moving forward.

• Breakout Sessions - What would you like to see from the AP CoP?

During this section, attendees were broken down into breakout rooms and asked to discuss several questions. These questions included:

• What can the AP CoP offer that you are not currently getting in other Aspiring Psychologist spaces?
• What CPD opportunities would you like the AP CoP to provide?
• The AP CoP plans to host both virtual and in-person networking and CPD events. How often should these events be offered?
• Is there anything else you would like to feed into the continual development of the AP CoP?

Once these questions were discussed we asked for the points to be entered into a Mentimeter survey. The committee was then able to take these thoughts and ideas from members into future development and planning.

• How can you get involved?

Lastly, we spoke through the different ways that members could become involved in the community of practice. There included joining the Committee (we still have 2 vacancies).

Other ways to get involved can include:

• Attending events facilitated by the community of practice committee
• Suggesting events, you would like the committee to facilitate
• Suggesting events, YOU would like to facilitate
• Engaging in and sharing the AP CoP Podcast series
• Disseminating membership information and events throughout your networks and other support spaces
• Providing feedback and completing surveys
• Joining the FuturesNHS page and engaging in live conversation and forums on this site.

This list is not exhaustive and we, as a committee, are open to all constructive engagement from members.

To get involved in the AP CoP, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This is an exciting opportunity for all aspiring psychologists, and we would love for you to join us on this journey.

Registration: Aspiring Psychologist Community of Practice

Melissa Rae, BSc, MSc

Assistant Psychologist

Co-Chair of the Aspiring Psychologist Community of Practice