Robert Hayward

Robert Hayward graduated in 1984 with a B.A. in Social Psychology and Social Policy from the University of Kent. He has over 25 years of experience in community health and NGO development, working extensively in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.

Robert founded InterAction, a charity promoting mental health inclusion, and continues as an independent consultant. 

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

I am a former research psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in the field of community health and related NGO development. Following several years in mental health care and research, where I worked at Bradford University and the Institute of Psychiatry, I helped to establish the Hamlet Trust, an NGO specialising in mental health and social development issues in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). From 1988-2006, I worked as a consultant extensively in CEE, the Russian Federation, the Caucasus and parts of Central Asia assisting in the formulation and development of regional and local self-help projects and forums to enable communities to address rights and mental health issues that have been exacerbated by the economic transformation process. This work also extended into the developing countries such as India.

At the beginning of the 21st century, I acted as an external grants assessor for the (UK) National Lottery Charities Board (now Big Lottery), International Grants Programme and as a consultant to Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). In 2004, I set up InterAction, an international organisation (and registered charity), to promote the social inclusion of people with mental health problems through policy initiatives. In 2006 I worked as a Research Officer (part-time), at the University of Kent, Canterbury, where I had responsibility for collecting and collation of data on the institutional care for persons with disabilities in several European countries. I was also Director of InterAction, an NGO promoting inclusive policies in the mental health field.

InterAction wound up its activities in 2015 after publishing a series of policy papers on European Mental Health Policy. In 2010, I was a member of the team that won the Healthnet/GIP award for mental healthcare planning in Burundi. I retired from full-time employment in 2020. I am currently an independent training consultant and until Covid-19 provided training for KMPT. I am the author of numerous articles on mental health and policy including: Barham, P. & Hayward, R. (1995) Relocating Madness (London: Free Association Books); Hayward, R. & Nica, R. (2001) Gaining Ground: Mental Health NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe 10 Years On. (London: Hamlet Press).

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I am currently editing a book, "Asylum Years: Back to the Future?" which will be published by FAB early next year.
I provide advice and consultancy to a small number of mental health organisations in Slovenia, Estonia and Romania.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

Contributing support and advice to the WHO Action Plan for Europe (2005), which led to Jenkins, R., Cutler, P., Hayward. R. & McDaid, D. (2007) ‘Evidence-Based Policy and Practice’ in Knapp, M., McDaid, D., Mossialos, E. & Thornicroft, G (eds.) Mental Health Policy and Practice Across Europe. Buckingham: Open University Press/MacGraw Hill.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Being able to combine social psychology and social policy informed the rest of my working life. I was also able to do a "wild" course (Language and Society) that had a deep impact. I was able to spend a year at Indiana University as part of an exchange.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Take up a language course! I wish I'd had the opportunity to learn basic Russian.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

Only political.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

Some sporting memories, particularly making the semi-finals of the University Athletics Union cricket competition (losing to Exeter).

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I signed up for several societies at the Freshers Fair but never took up photography, potholing, canoeing.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Some alumni. Regretfully no academics now.

What are your future ambitions?

I'm about to begin a book on sociological changes in Canterbury.