Building leadership confidence with Help to Grow

Was taking part in Help to Grow your first encounter with LBU?

Yes, in terms of formal training - I've also attended #WECAN (Women Empowered through Coaching and Networking) events in The Knowledge Exchange.

What attracted you to joining the course?

It was "bite sized", fitting into an already busy schedule!

What are some of the first changes you have made as a result of the course?

I have changed my approach from doing to planning. It doesn't always work. But my mindset has shifted.

How did the peer groups and one-on-one mentoring offered on the course support you and which did you find most beneficial?

I chose to leave the mentoring until the end, and in hindsight I would have liked to run it alongside the course, from maybe week six. The peer groups were also useful for reinforcing learning.

What has been the highlight of the course for you?

I really enjoyed the in-person sessions. The course has shown me the power of structure, clarity, and putting things down on paper. It’s highlighted how important it is to create systems, define processes, and share a clear vision, not just carry it around in my head.

How has Help to Grow helped you to develop future plans for St Vincent's?

As a values-based organisation, one of the biggest lessons for me was recognising that values shouldn't sit alongside a strategy, they should be woven through it. The programme helped me understand the importance of strategy as both a starting point and a framework for guiding decisions throughout an organisation.

And how has it supported your own professional development?

It has given me greater confidence as a leader. Since completing the course, I successfully presented a case for creating a new role to strengthen the organisation's long-term sustainability. Having a clear strategy behind the proposal made a huge difference, helping secure support for the role. I'm pleased to say the role has gone on to generate income in line with our forecasts, which has reinforced the importance of strategic planning and decision-making.

Our next Help to Grow: Management programme starts on Monday 7 September 2026. Find out more and register here.