A further three years of funding have been secured by the Two Ridings Community Foundation for the HEY Confident Futures leadership programme and network.
This program supports the creation of a collaborative network of generous leaders within the local community.
340 leaders have joined the network over the past three years, attending over 200 events. As well as training and networking events, HEY Confident Futures facilitates the development of personal leadership skills so that leaders can take care of their own well-being in order to improve their organisations.
Harriet Johnson, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Two Ridings, who leads the HEY Confident futures programme explains:
“We are delighted to be supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, to continue delivering the leadership programme in our region. Staff and volunteers from our charities and community groups do such vital work in our communities and we are here to support them, build connections and strengthen the sector.”
Jacky Crawford, CEO of The Moorlands Charity in Goole shared her experience of taking part in the programme
“I have had the benefit of participating in the HEY Confident Futures Leadership Programme and I have learnt so much. The saying goes, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ but as I enter my 60th year and have undertaken several leadership programmes, I feel this programme has afforded me the time to reflect on myself and my needs and as a result I have learnt to prioritise and say no and to take control of my own health and wellbeing rather than constantly taking on more tasks that would overload me.”
Confident Futures celebrated a new cohort of twelve emerging leaders at a Celebration event in July 2022. During a session called ‘Finding your inner badass,’ the new leaders shared their stories and how the programme had impacted them.
Bora Shabaa Refugee Support Group member Severine Kipili told Severine’s story from her perspective as a new leader. She described her journey from the Congo, through years in refugee camps in Z, to setting up a refugee group in Hull, and how those experiences have given her strength and skills.
As a result of the leadership course, she has gained confidence in herself and has been able to strengthen the people she helps as well.
Also, the network brought together leaders for ‘place-based leadership networking’ in Goole and Bridlington to connect local community groups. Coaches in Goole described the experience as ‘pouring water on dry ground – priceless’; another described meeting on a training course and now sharing a building! ’
Anyone who works or volunteers in a charity, or community group in Hull and East Yorkshire is eligible to join HEY Confident Futures for free. The network can be joined online at https://confidentfutures.co.uk/
Members’ needs are taken into account when designing the programme. Members of the Confident Futures network are currently helping to shape the content for 2023-2025 – new members can also get involved!
