We have a gifting agreement that contributes to funding the Chair in Evidence-based Psychological Treatments and the clinical training and education that is delivered by the Charlie Waller Institute.

Launched in January 2008, the Charlie Waller Institute:

• Trains clinicians in evidence-based psychological treatments, in particular those recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the training to ensure it improves the clinicians’ knowledge and skills, and patient outcomes.
• Undertakes research to add to the evidence base for effective psychological treatments.

Training at the Charlie Waller Institute takes the form of postgraduate year-long courses (diploma and certificate) as well as some Continued Professional Development programmes such as Talking Therapies Supervisor training. The programmes are delivered by a brilliant team of experienced clinical academics. Over the years, many of the CWI training team have been involved in developing and evaluating NICE recommended treatments such as Brief Behavioural Activation for adolescents experiencing depression.

Each year, the institute trains hundreds of clinicians, from those on graduate low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy programmes to senior NHS leaders undertaking specialist training on how to deliver effective, inclusive and young person-centred services. Training the next generation of therapists who provide invaluable evidence-based care to people struggling with their mental health, is activity we are deeply proud to support.

CWI/CWT collaborations

As sister organisations, we actively seek opportunities to work together on projects that draw on our combined expertise. The following are just some of our recent work together:

• Parent Carer Peer Support Worker training: together we developed the national NHS England curricula, ran the first training programme, and continue to support expansion of the PCPS worker role across England.
• Senior Mental Health Leads training (with specialist content for colleges): with expert trainers from the Trust, and experienced teaching staff working within CWI, we created an excellent SMHL training programme, independently assessed by the Department for Education as 4th in the country (out of over 30 providers).
• Resilience rucksack research project and dissemination: Professor Stella Chan led on co-producing with children, a series of resources for supporting the transition from primary to secondary school. The Trust was a key funder and supporter in then disseminating the rucksacks across Berkshire.
• Presenting at the European Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) on lived experience partnerships: CWI and CWT colleagues, including one of our youth ambassadors, presented to cognitive behavioural therapists on the value of lived experience within mental health services and charities.

The Caroline Gilbey scholarship

Caroline was a very great friend to the Trust as well as a personal friend of the Wallers and worked tirelessly on the Trust’s London Fundraising Committee. Her friends and family raised a large sum of money in her memory which was used to fund two scholarships at the Charlie Waller Institute, training therapists in high intensity psychological treatments.

Hewa Khalilifar, 2021 scholarship recipient:

“I feel that a career as a therapist will allow me to continue learning about human nature, to hear people’s stories, and ultimately be of service to others. I want to be the person that I needed back when I was in a difficult place. Sometimes it is as simple as telling someone that it is okay for them to feel intensity of emotion and confusion, and convincing them that you believe they have the ability to endure and overcome.”

Komel Jalil, 2022 scholarship recipient:

“Thank you so much – for the scholarship, the support – EVERYTHING. It means a lot to me. Where I came from, an immigrant girl who grew up in some of the worst areas in the UK, people around me didn’t have the opportunity to do much. This is hope to do better for me, my family and others – it’s priceless.”