Ashworth Research Centre (ARC) is celebrating 10 years of a successful partnership with Maastricht University which welcomes psychology students to the high secure hospital. The internship forms part of the university’s two-year MSc Forensic Psychology programme which attracts students from across the world bringing a diverse range of experiences, perspectives and ambitions to Ashworth Hospital.
ARC is led by Professor Jane L. Ireland and Dr Simon Chu and funded by Mersey Care. Dr Simon Chu explains why the partnership is so innovative.
“For many psychology students, there comes a point when theory needs to be put into practice. Understanding research, assessment and intervention is one thing; applying that knowledge in real-world forensic mental health settings is another.
“What makes the internship unique is the opportunity for students to gain experience within a high secure NHS setting. Maastricht University is one of the most highly regarded universities in the Netherlands. Through our partnership, students in the second year of their MSc have the opportunity to join ARC as interns, something few trainees will experience so early in their careers.
“We embed them within the hospital, where they are closely supervised by experienced clinicians and researchers. It is demanding work, but deeply informative – helping them to develop their skills in forensic mental health.”
Under close supervision, interns contribute to clinical work with patients and support therapeutic programmes delivered by the Psychology department.
This hands-on experience provides valuable insight into secure care, multidisciplinary working and the complexities of supporting people with significant mental health needs.
Alongside their clinical work, interns also play an active role in research. Working with ARC researchers, they contribute to projects that support the centre's wider research programme, with their findings forming part of their MSc studies.
Dr Simon Chu adds:
“For many interns, the written report is only part of the story. The more enduring value lies in learning how research questions emerge from real clinical settings, how evidence can shape practice, and how scientific curiosity can sit alongside compassion and professional responsibility.”
The scheme also delivers benefits for ARC and Mersey Care. Interns contribute their time and expertise while gaining access to a unique learning environment, creating a partnership that supports both professional development and ongoing research activity.
To date, more than 35 interns have completed placements through the partnership between ARC and Maastricht University. For some students, the internship is the beginning of a longer journey with ARC. Several former interns have gone on to secure PhD opportunities or research assistant positions within the centre, while others have progressed into doctoral training programmes and careers in forensic or clinical psychology.
Dr Simon Chu said:
“A decade on, the scheme continues to thrive. We are proud to see how it has enriched ARC’s clinical and research work while offering interns an experience that is rare, rigorous and for many, life changing.”