For more information or to be added to our mailing list contact Georgina Evdoka and Stephanie Philpott on

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1 Pre-Training/ Assistant Groups If you would like your Group added to this page, or would like to amend their details, please contact the Pre-Training subcommittee with the following information: Name of the group Number of meetings held per year Contact details A short description of what the Group does Berkshire We meet once a month in Reading and all aspiring psychologists are welcome. Members include assistant psychologists, honorary assistant psychologists, research assistants, support workers and local students who are often also in voluntary posts. Each meeting has a different speaker, including local clinical psychologists, professionals in complementary fields and current trainees. Focus is on providing informative topics for professional development and opportunities for peer support. For more information or to be added to our mailing list contact Georgina Evdoka and Stephanie Philpott on berkshireassistantpsychs@hotmail.co.uk Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire A group for Assistant Psychologists and those working in related areas who are aiming to train as Clinical Psychologists. The group meets in Oxford on the third Monday of the month. Anyone who is interested in attending from outside of this area is welcome to join. Please for details assistantsgroup@gmail.com Bristol/Bath Assistant Psychologists' Group The Assistant Psychologists' Pre-Qualification group is for Psychology graduates interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology or related profession. The group meets every two months in Bath or Bristol and is attended by various speakers (i.e. current trainees / local Clinical Psychologists / professionals in complementary fields) who facilitate discussion. The group aims to provide Assistant Psychologists with the opportunity for peer support and professional development through the discussion of relevant topics in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Kim Jackson-Blott and Lucinda Stirton on Bristol.bath.ap@gmail.com Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Open to all psychology graduates gaining relevant experience in preparation for clinical psychology or related training. Each month there will be a different guest speaker as well as group discussions, case / research presentations and clinical course preparations. It gives Assistants the opportunity for peer support and to socialise outside of their work setting. To be added to the mailing list Emily Crack: Emily.crack@cpft.nhs.uk and Fahim Mughal: Fahim.mughal@cpft.nhs.uk. Channel Islands Aspiring Psychologists Group We are a group hoping to attract psychology undergrads/graduates, aspiring psychologists (clinical/counselling/health/education/forensic..etc), HCA's, Support Workers, Nursing Assistants, those volunteering in these areas, and any other assistant psychologists. The group gives an opportunity for CPD, guest speakers, hear about other areas of work in psychology, practice presentations, application forms/interviews and most importantly - peer support (with a good old social).

2 We are hoping to meet once a month on skype (Jersey group and Guernsey group meet in person and get online at the same time), and aiming every 3 months to meet in either Jersey or Guernsey. Please get in touch and help us get this group going! Please contact Jodi Pitt (Jersey ) or Laura Mitchell (Guernsey) channel.islands.psychgrads@gmail.com Cornwall Assistant Psychologist Group A monthly group meeting of Assistant Psychologists, Honorary Assistant Psychologists, Volunteers, Researchers, other professionals and anyone else interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology and looking for a supportive peer network. We hold meetings once a month and vary the location around Cornwall, namely between Redruth, Truro and Bodmin. We aim to provide regular guest speakers, CPD or training sessions and peer supervision. It's a very informal meeting and along with the above is a chance for us all to get together and discuss our work, interests and careers. It's also a great opportunity to network and socialise amongst like minded individuals. If you would like to come along - anyone is welcome - please contact Forbes Earl on cornwallassistantpsychologists@gmail.com and someone will get in touch and let you know the date and time of the next meeting. Cumbria Aspiring Psychologists Group This is a relatively new Group in Cumbria and is still in the early stages of development. The group is for anyone interested in pursuing a career in psychology and aims to be friendly and supportive. We aim to have different speakers on a range of issues related to psychology and guests so far have included local clinical psychologists and current trainees. There is also opportunity for group members to present on topics of their choice. We aim to hold meetings at least every two months, usually on the last Tuesday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. Members are asked to volunteer to hold a meeting in their locality thus we are planning to rotate meetings all across the county. Anyone who is interested in attending from outside of this area is welcome to join. We also aim to arrange social activities to give members the opportunity to get to know each other outside of a work setting. Please get in touch to help us get this group going! For more information please Lucy.Eastlake@cumbria.nhs.uk Durham, Darlington and Dales Pre-Training Group We are a group of professionals working towards Clinical Psychology training. We welcome all from Durham, Darlington and Dales who are interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. Our group aim is to enhance our personal and professional development in a manner which promotes reflective practice, encourages an awareness of a broad range of psychological models and their application in various clinical settings and client groups; and highlights the role of psychological practice within the NHS today. We meet every two months on a Friday afternoon between 3pm and 5pm. We envisage the group to be a source of support along the path to clinical training for all members involved. If you would like to attend or be added to our mailing list please contact Janine Rowe at janinerowe1@nhs.net or Neil Palmer at neilpalmer@nhs.net The Dorset Pre-Qualified Psychologists Group

3 The group has been created with the intention to share and discuss ideas, knowledge and learning. The group aims to be friendly and supportive rather than competitive and the onus is on issues related to clinical psychology theory and practice. We have speakers on a range of issues at each session and there is also opportunity for group members to present on topics of their choice. We also provide peer support through a unique mentor scheme and learning opportunities in connection with the South West Learning for Health, Wessex Assistants Group and Dorset HealthCare Learning and Development. We welcome any pre-qualified psychologist (assistant, trainee, research, support workers etc.) or anyone willing to do a presentation or support the group. We meet every 3 months in different venues. Contact us with your new or innovative ideas which would benefit the members. If you would like to be involved, please contact Fern Griffiths: fern.griffiths@dhuft.nhs.uk. East London Graduate Psychologists Group The East London Graduate Psychologists Group (formerly The East London Assistant Psychologists Forum) is open to any psychology graduate in East London particularly those interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology. We meet on the second Friday of every month from 3-5pm at the University of East London Stratford campus (we occasionally meet elsewhere so please check). We have a variety of visiting speakers covering a wide range of clinical and professional issues including the clinical training application progress. We also hold peer support sessions where we share experiences of working in different settings and also draw on current mental health issues using different forms of media to stimulate discussion. It is also an opportunity to meet others in similar situations and socialise outside of work. Please contact elgpg@hotmail.co.uk for more details East of Scotland Psychology Assistants Group (ESPAG) We are an assistant psychologist group who welcome members from a broad range of backgrounds with an interest in perusing a career in psychology in the east of Scotland. We usually hold meetings once a month in the evening, normally during the last week of the month, at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Morningside, Edinburgh. The topic of each meeting varies but there is a speaker at each meeting. This may be someone who has a career in psychology who shares their experiences or offers some helpful suggestions on how to gain more experience, become an assistant psychologist, continue in academia or achieve a place on a training course. We also have speakers from voluntary organisations who offer voluntary placements for people who are looking for more experience, clinical or research. The group is also a great way to meet others with similar interests and goals. If you are interested in being added to the ESPAG mailing list please contact ESPAG@hotmail.co.uk Essex Graduate Psychology Group (EGPG) The focus of the group is to provide CPD and peer support opportunities for people pursuing psychology related careers/interests. Group members take it in turns to chair and present at the meetings. In each meeting we review a research article and critically appraise this as a group. This is then followed by a presentation either from a group member or a guest speaker. We often have clinical psychologists and other clinicians attending to speak about a range of diverse topics. The group venue is chosen by the person who is chairing the meeting for that month and is usually within the south Essex area. Information regarding the group venue, times and contents is circulated to the group prior to the meeting along with an agenda and minutes from the previous meeting. Anyone with an interest in psychology is welcome to attend.

4 We meet once a month usually on the first Wednesday or Friday of the month. The group times are between 2:30-4:30, although this is flexible. Contact Details: Morag Griffin: Morag.Griffin@sept.nhs.uk Lisa Lloyd: Lisa.Lloyd@sept.nhs.uk Institute of Psychiatry and South London & Maudsley AP group The group meets 1-2 times each month, usually on the last or second to last Wednesday or Thursday depending on the availability of the speaker. The group aims to be supportive and to give those interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology the opportunity to meet others in a similar position, as well as to hear speakers from relevant areas within clinical psychology and areas relevant to applications. We meet at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, and meetings last usually for 1 hour. We send out information on the speaker and topic, and the meeting time and place to the group members in the weeks before each meeting/talk takes place. More information on the group is available on their website. Facilitators: Charlotte Rhind, Isabel Sweetman and Syanne Walker: assistant_psychologists@kcl.ac.uk Lancashire Clinical Psychology Interest Group To be added to the mailing list contact one of the Chairs, Natalie Booth lcpigs@live.co.uk Department of Psychological Services, Burnley General Hospital, Casterton Avenue, Burnley BB10 2PQ Lincolnshire Assistant Psychologist Group Assistant Psychologists, Graduate Mental Health Workers, Research Assistants or anybody else interested in a career within Clinical Psychology are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity to give those interested in a career in clinical psychology the opportunity to meet others in a similar position. The aim of the group is to offer peer support, information regarding clinical training and application as well as hear from guest speakers from relevant areas within clinical psychology. All group members are included in planning sessions to ensure the meetings are of relevance and interest. The group meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month, pm, in Lincoln. For more information and to be added to the mailing list for the Lincolnshire Assistant Psychologists group Charlene Bennett charlene.bennett@lpft.nhs.uk or Evangelos Stephanopoulos on evangelos.stephanopoulos@lpft.nhs.uk Liverpool Assistant Psychologist Group This group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 2-4pm in various venues around Liverpool, all accessible by public transport. The meeting is open to anyone interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology, including Assistant Psychologists, Research Assistants, Graduates and Post-Graduate Students, IAPT workers etc. We often host guest speakers, with varying topics according to their area of expertise, which usually consists of Clinical Psychologists, Research Assistants, Mental Health Nurses and current doctorate Trainees. There is also time for peer support and group discussion regarding current issues in psychology, as well as the opportunity to meet and socialise outside of the work setting.

5 New members are always welcome. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please Manchester Assistant Psychologist Group Meetings are usually held on the last Friday of each month, between 2-4 pm, at various venues across the Greater Manchester region. We also organise a monthly speaker (usually a qualified psychologist or current trainee) and discuss relevant issues. Meetings take place at Manchester University and the current chairs are: Alicia Brown, Liz Lockwood, Hannah Nicholson and Katy Hughes. To be added to the mailing list the Chairs on: manchesterassistantpsychgroup@gmail.com Milton Keynes and surrounding areas Grad Group A group for graduate psychologists interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology who live or work in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas (Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northants). The group aims to be friendly and supportive rather than competitive, and the onus is on professional development and learning about the world of Clinical Psychology rather than focusing upon the doctorate training application process. We try to make the groups collaborative and encourage members to get involved with organising sessions related to their own roles/interests. The groups aim to be varied so we might have guest speakers, a journal club, a peer supervision element, group activities/discussion of vignettes or case studies. The content of each group is decided by its members so that everyone can get the most out of the group. We meet once every 4-6 weeks. For more information, please contact the Chairs, John and Michelle in the first instance. We are also on Facebook, take a look here North Thames We provide an opportunity for psychology graduates (from London and the surrounding regions) to meet, discuss relevant issues and learn from invited speakers. Membership is open to all psychology graduates interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology. We aim to share ideas and learn from Clinical Psychologists and course representatives that we invite to speak to us around a range of clinical and research topics. We usually meet at UCL at 6pm for talks a few times a month. Committee members remain as Jaci and Laura. To be added to the mailing list, please norththamesgradpsychgroup@gmail.com For more info, please visit our Facebook page by searching North Thames Graduate Psychologists Group or follow us twitter North Wales Assistants Group Membership of the Group is open to all psychology graduates interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. The group is fairly small and relaxed and holds six bi-monthly meetings per year. Meetings include peer support, group discussions and presentations from guest speakers. All group members are included in planning sessions to ensure the meetings are of relevance and interest to everyone.

6 For more information about the Group, please Kadie-Charelle South Wales Psychology Pre-training Group There are two branches of the South Wales Psychology Pre-Training Group. The first is an Affiliates Group, which is open to all Psychology Graduates and Undergraduates considering a career in Clinical Psychology. Members receive s about upcoming jobs, volunteering opportunities and relevant training etc. We also hold 4 Affiliates Days a year, consisting of presentations and workshops given by Clinical Psychologists. The second branch is the Assistants Group. This is for individuals working as Assistant Psychologists or Psychology Assistants; Psychology students on their placement year are also invited to join. This group meet about every 6-8 weeks and discuss things like case presentations, journal articles, psychology models/ theories and clinical/ research vignettes. It provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and receive peer support. If you would like any more information, or would like to join the group, send an to: southwalespsychology@hotmail.com with a brief description of your current situation. Sussex Open to all Psychology graduates interested in an applied psychology career. The group will arrange presentations and talks from mental health professionals and services users, provide opportunities for peer support, and disseminate information about pre-clinical opportunities including details about the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Psychology Graduate Internship Programme. To join this group please Dan Stevens or Emogen Campbell Tayside We meet every two months and hold discussions, case / research presentations and clinical course preparations. This includes lunch and invited speakers from different specialties within Clinical Psychology. The group is organised and run by Assistants. We also hold social nights out and meet up with Clinical doctorate and MSc trainees. To be added to the mailing list the Chair, Moira Cook, on moira.cook@nhs.net Trent The group is open to all Psychology graduates within the Trent region. It is primarily designed with the Assistant Psychologists role in mind; however, we welcome anyone interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. The group is held on the last Wednesday of the month at the University of Nottingham. Meetings have regular guest speakers and presentations and provide a forum for discussion and peer support. Speakers are predominantly Clinical Psychologists from a wide range of services but may also include carers from local self-help groups and service users. To be added to the mailing list the facilitators, Christina Ralph-Nearman and Kathleen Baess on trentassistantsgroup@googl .com Wessex The Assistant Psychologist Network is now affiliated to the BPS and encompasses all 5 hubs within Wessex. We hold quarterly meetings which look to share best practice, offer support for clinical training applications, and invite a speaker to each meeting to discuss various topics. Previous presentations include a talk from the admissions tutor from the

7 Southampton clinical doctorate regarding the application process, and one from a specialist in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. If you are an Assistant Psychologist in Wessex and would like to be involved, please contact Kat Smithson Kat.Smithson@choicecaregroup.com and Sarah Wallace sarah.wallace6@nhs.net We still have vacancies for hub administrators in Sussex, Thames Valley and Surrey so please get in touch if you are interested in a voluntary role within the network. West Midlands This group meets once a month and is open to Assistant Psychologists, Research Assistants, care workers, trainee counsellors or those who are in quest of these positions, and those working within the West Midlands hoping to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology or Human Behaviour. We have regular speakers and provide peer support and discuss issues relevant to assistants working within West Midlands. The facilitators from each group meet bi-monthly to organize seminars and presentations. We do organize social events and disseminate local job vacancies as they arise via job database. Anyone interested in joining the group or willing to do a presentation to the group, contact us with your new or innovative ideas which would benefit the members. To be added to the mailing list the Chair, Deep Khubchandani, or Assistant Chair, Nicola Wheeler, on assistantpsychologistsgroup@hotmail.co.uk West of Scotland The group welcomes Assistant Psychologists, Research and Graduates pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. The format of our meetings are flexible and include peer support, group discussion and invited guest speakers for talks and presentations. We meet on a regular basis. To be added to the mailing list the Chair, Avril Smith, on avril.smith@ggc.scot.nhs.uk Yorkshire "Aspiring Clinical Psychologists" Group We normally meet in West Yorkshire around the last Wednesday of every month, 3-5pm. The location and date varies depending on availability of speakers. We are run by the members within the group and have a committee. We have speakers from different specialities in Clinical Psychology. We discuss the application and interview process for Clinical Psychology doctorates as well as current issues in professional Psychology. Membership of the Group is open to all Psychology Graduates interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Psychology. At present we have a Chair, Vanessa Melton, a Vice Chair, Ben Carroll and Co-ordinators for the group. We do ask members of the group to organize meetings where possible. You can also join our Facebook group called the: Yorkshire "Aspiring Clinical Psychologists" Group. If you have any queries or to be added to the mailing list please Chair: Vanessa Melton Ness_melton@hotmail.co.uk Vice Chair: Ben Carroll: benjamin.carroll91@gmail.com

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