New course develops leadership talent

19 SEPTEMBER 2024

York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity is proud to have funded the first Trust course designed to help those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds embark on a leadership journey.

Focusing on talent development, the course gives colleagues the confidence and skills to aim for future leadership roles.  The 31 students taking part come from across the Trust, and were drawn from a wide range of roles and job bands, including clinical managers, consultants, and staff nurses.

Virginia Golding, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:  “There is a clear need for this course, because data collected by our Trust shows that Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic colleagues are less well represented at all levels and have more obstacles to progressing their careers.

“This course seeks to break down the barriers and equip individuals with the tools to feel able and confident to maximise their potential.  As a Trust, we also have a wider commitment to equality of opportunity for all staff, and to ensure our workforce and leadership are inclusive and diverse.  The course puts those values into practice and helps us upskill our leaders of the future.  I would also like to thank the York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity, which funded the course.”

Participants have taken part in six full-day teaching sessions, and, on the final day in September, will present a personal development project to peers and senior leaders.  Everyone has combined the course with their day-to-day responsibilities and studied in their own time. 

Three participants shared what they have learned during the course:

“I aspire to become a strong leader, but I have never had any leadership training, so this course is ideal.  There are barriers that staff from ethnic minorities face, and this course has given us the tools we need to progress professionally.  I really enjoyed learning about different approaches to leadership, and how to model good leadership for others.”

Masud Chowdhury, Service Manager in Women’s Health and Family Health, York Hospital

“One part of the course that I like most is the interaction between us all.  We are of different nationalities, and the experiences we all have in different roles expose me to the vast and complex scenarios we face daily, and the way we resolve them.”

Darshini Shaj, Staff Nurse, Scarborough Hospital

“I am keen to progress my career, and this course has helped me develop the skills to take on more responsibility. It has also supported my empathetic skills, which has resulted in a better understanding of the candidates that I work with. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to challenge themselves.”

Ben-Raphaels Ngoha, Clerical Officer in Recruitment