2025 so far: Celebrating 4 Successful Programmes
As we move further into 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the amazing work care leaders have done across our recently completed Professional Support and Development programmes!
From Bedfordshire to South London, care leaders have come together to strengthen their leadership skills, grow in professional confidence, and enhance the culture of care in their service.
Each programme forms part of our mission to empower care leaders and improve care experiences. Every cohort brought something unique, but all shared a commitment to creating positive change within their teams and services.
Here’s a look at what they’ve achieved:
Central Bedfordshire
The Central Bedfordshire cohort (commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council) completed on the 14th of January, and brought together 14 care leaders from care homes, supported living facilities, domiciliary care services, and nursing roles. Impressively, every participant completed the programme, despite the ongoing emotional and physical demands of their roles.
Leaders reflected on the shift in their perspectives and approaches – becoming more self-aware, listening more intentionally to their teams, and applying new ways of working with confidence. Many also spoke of improved work-life balance and rediscovered purpose in their roles.
“I now love my job… I am proud of the support I am now able to offer. I am grateful for being given the tools and space to reflect… to be encouraged to care for myself so that I can support others.”
Surrey Leadership Programme – Cohort One
Cohort One in Surrey completed their programme on 27 January 2025. Commissioned by Surrey County Council, care leaders working in care homes and domiciliary care services came together for a series of in-person workshops and action learning sets.
The programme focused on self-leadership, relational working, managing change, and supporting people with complex needs. Participants valued the space to reflect and build supportive relationships. One care leader described how the programme helped them lead with greater confidence and clarity, while others spoke of improved communication and more collaborative team environments.
We’re excited to be continuing our work in Surrey, with three more cohorts running throughout 2025!
North Central London – Advanced Care Leaders
On 11 February 2025, we celebrated the completion of our North Central London Advanced Care Leaders programme, alongside the launch of a new group focused on strengthening connections between the sector and the wider system.
The programme was funded by Rayne Foundation and delivered in collaboration with North Central London Councils. The celebration event brought together care leaders, system leaders, and stakeholders from across North Central London.
Together, they reflected on the programme experience and shared a vision for a more collaborative future, with their new group now recognised by the local authority as having a formal role to play in supporting improvements across the Integrated Care System.
South London – Care Home Pioneers (HIN)
To round off the quarter, 5 March 2025 marked the completion of Cohort 6 of the South London Care Home Pioneers — a leadership development and peer support programme delivered in collaboration with Health Innovation Network (HIN). This ten-month journey brought together care leaders who implemented small quality improvement projects in their services and built strong peer relationships that will continue through the Pioneer Alumni Network.
The programme gave the Pioneers newfound confidence, developed their approaches to leadership and had a wider impact on care culture:
“It was a space where we could discuss challenges, take guidance from peers, and feel heard. This programme provided invaluable support, and has helped me become emotionally stronger as a leader.”
This programme has now reached more than 160 care leaders from all 12 boroughs of South London!
Read a write-up from HIN South London
Looking ahead…
It’s been a fantastic start to the year, and we are excited to continue our work supporting quality in care services, as more cohorts get underway in the coming months.
If you’re a care leader interested in joining a future programme, or a commissioner looking to support quality improvement in care services, get in touch to find out more.