Springboard Women’s Development Programme​

This award-winning international programme is a three-month personal and work development initiative aimed at women working in non-managerial roles across the Leeds health and care system.

About the programme

Springboard is designed to help you delve further into self-reflection and empower you with self-belief, assertiveness and positive thinking. The programme aims to tackle how our values drive us, and influence our behaviour and decision making. This includes looking at how we manage difficult thoughts and our auto-pilot reactions to situations and how we can change these. You will be asked to reflect on your life as a whole, and the programme could involve some challenging self-work, as you gain the tools to recognise practical, realistic steps that will allow you to take more control over your life, both at work and at home.  

Contents of the programme 

There are eight virtual workshops in total that you need to commit to attending to join the programme. Springboard involves a lot of group work, discussions and feedback as you explore the topics, tools and techniques learnt. The value of the workshops comes from the conversations you will have with other women, who will also work in a Leeds-based health and care role, sharing lived experiences from your personal and professional lives. You will be working as a group to support and encourage each other throughout, building a peer network. 

Examples of topics explored:

• Your personal motivations 
• Auto-pilot reactions and how to change them 
• Gaining the confidence to speak up 
• Managing difficult thoughts 
• Self-awareness 
• Your values and how they drive your behaviour 
• Finding your positive self / positive self-talk 
• Emotional intelligence 
• Goal setting 
• Celebrating your achievements 

Outside of the virtual workshops, a workbook is given to each participant; this includes development tasks for you to work on in your own time and at your own pace. The workbook will always be there as a guide for you to refer back to.  

During the programme, you will also have the opportunity to hear from inspiring guest speakers, who will share their personal stories and tips. Springboard is fully funded by the Leeds Health and Care Academy, meaning no cost to you or your employer to take part- however you must be released from work to attend all the sessions.  

Eligibility Criteria

• You must work in Leeds health and care at Bands 1-6 Agenda for Change, or up to and including PO4 or equivalent in non-managerial roles 
• You must commit to attend all eight virtual workshops.