The alumni community

The fellowship legacy continues

A huge amount of work has been put in to enabling a way for the fellowship legacy to continue, maintaining the momentum that has been built in developing leaders that have the confidence, capability and support to create more equitable cultures and improve outcomes for our colleagues and communities.

Abigail Olaleye (cohort 3 fellow) has led the work building a fellowship community. She has co-produced this with other fellows and created a way to focus on the three things the fellows saw as being the most important.  

1. Leadership Development – the alumni community will be working with voluntary sector organisations that will support them with leadership/trustee opportunities.
2. Practical learning – using LinkedIn as a platform and offering taught modules with specific leadership content.
3. Peer support - The importance of community, shared learning and purpose has been evident as a key ingredient throughout the life of the fellowship. This will continue with peer support circles.

There was so much support at the cohort 4 graduation event on 23 March 2026. The support on offer included commitment, time, offers to deliver content for fellows and offering connections to others that could help. The offers of support have continued since the event. Belonging does not just happen. It is created. That is the legacy of the fellowship. Leaders that intentionally practice creating a culture of belonging that benefits everyone.

Executive sponsor

Micheal Crowther CEO of Kirkwood Hospice has been an active member of the West Yorkshire anti-racist leadership network and will continue to influence change through his role as executive sponsor of the alumni community.