Our Fellowship cohorts

Cohort 1 led the way starting in November 2020.

There were eleven participants at a senior level. Nine colleagues were from NHS organisations, one from a local authority and one from Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Nine of the eleven participants moved into their choice within six months of completing the programme. They told us:

“You are the project, you are the placement.”
“It is not just career development, there is huge personal growth.”
“It’s a great opportunity to network with other fellows and the wider system.”
“Be clear that on completion you go back as different person due to the growth that the fellowship has given you.”

Our fellows completed a shadow board programme, a placement project and various modules including political acumen, systems thinking, inclusive leadership, career development with a mentor and action learning sets. Click on the links below to read reflections from our cohort 1 fellows:

• John Ebo case study - Don't think what, think why

• Awais Habib case study - Unlock your whole self

• Sayma Mirza case study - Celebrating the Fellowship

Our second set of leaders were looking to progress to more senior positions from their mid-level position.

We had nine fellows on this programme. Four were from NHS organisations, two from clinical commissioning groups, two from local authorities and one from a community interest group. We succeeded in our aim to have representation from multiple sectors, given our first cohort was mostly NHS colleagues.

The participants told us:

“The fellowship gave me confidence in exploring opportunities.”
“I would not be standing here today without the Fellowship Programme.”
“The opportunities far outweighed the challenges.”
“More opportunities became open to me. Before, I felt overlooked.”

This programme consisted of:

• an ILM7 qualification in leadership
• the shadowboard programme
• two placements,one part time and one full time
• career conversations
• peer coaching
• one-to-one pastoral support

Read cohort 2 fellow, Rue Musekiwa's case study.

Cohort 3 brought together eighteen fellows from across the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.

Participants in cohort 3 came from different organisations as follows:

• three fellows from Wakefield Council
• six fellows from NHS trusts
• five fellows from the voluntary and community sector
• three fellows from the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
• one fellow from NHS England

Each fellow took part in a one-day-a-week placement for a year. The programme aimed to develop leadership skills, build confidence and support personal growth. Fellows worked on real projects that made a difference to people and services. They also had opportunities to connect across sectors, share learning and understand how the system works as a whole.

Support and learning included:

• career conversations – helped fellows plan their next steps and think about future roles
• peer coaching – gave time and space to reflect, share challenges and learn from each other
• one-to-one pastoral support – offered regular check-ins to support wellbeing and development
• regular, dedicated sessions with a clinical psychologist provided a safe and supportive space to reflect, explore challenges, and support personal wellbeing and growth throughout the programme

This short video features Ravi, a fellow from cohort 3. Ravi explains how the Fellowship Programme offered him a unique platform to connect with like-minded individuals and leaders across the whole health and care system in West Yorkshire.

Cohort 4 brought together twelve fellows from across the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.

This cohort included:

• four fellows from NHS trusts
• three fellows from the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WYICB)
• three fellows from social enterprises
• one fellow from the Health and Care Partnership team

Fellows are currently on placement one day a week, developing their leadership skills while contributing to real projects across the system.

Support and learning included:

• career conversations – helped fellows plan their next steps and think about future roles
• peer coaching – gave time and space to reflect, share challenges and learn from each other
• one-to-one pastoral support – offered regular check-ins to support wellbeing and development
• regular, dedicated sessions with a clinical psychologist provided a safe and supportive space to reflect, explore challenges and support personal wellbeing and growth throughout the programme

Rashed, a participant in cohort 4, is working on placement as a project manager in the ICB’s children, young people and families service. In this short video, Rashed explains how the programme teaches participants to use their lived experience to help inform a more inclusive, diverse and fairer type of leadership that ultimately reflects the people we serve.