Alex Smith

I have been a frontline social worker for ten years working in learning disability and autism teams within north west local authorities. In March 2025 I joined Rochdale Council in the training team primarily to develop a training programme about CHC for the social workers. My goal is for social workers to feel confident in understanding the CHC process which will hopefully increase the number of people receiving CHC. I would love to meet other people in similar roles across the UK so we can share good practice and support each other.

Outside of work I am passionate about reducing loneliness and isolation and in 2017 I set up a Community Interest Company with the aim to get people chatting. I was lucky to be awarded an OBE in 2022 for services towards loneliness.