Windrush leadership programme for Nurses and Midwives

Leadership development programme for 44 Nurses and Midwives band 5, 6 and 7 who are either descendants from the Windrush generation or from a diverse background working in the NHS in England.

This is a unique opportunity for the Florence Nightingale Foundation to celebrate ethnic minority nurses and midwives by offering leadership development to nurses and midwives who are either descendants from the Windrush generation or from a diverse background. Our aim is to create opportunities through a peer-to-peer learning environment to explore and discover personal leadership styles and unlock potential. We focus on facilitated learning that challenges you as leaders to think about health and care leadership in a less conventional way.

Greta Westwood

Chief Executive Officer, Florence Nightingale Foundation

Leadership Programme

In this section

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Windrush Nurses and Midwives leadership programme 2022 overview

Health Education England have partnered with the Florence Nightingale Foundation to offer an exciting career development opportunity to recognise the contribution of Windrush nurses and midwives across the NHS.

The programme is fully funded by Health Education England. It offers 44, band 5, 6 and 7 nurses and midwives from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background bespoke leadership development to become Florence Nightingale Foundation Nurses and Midwives, and to develop as future leaders of healthcare. The programme is to celebrate those who arrived on HMT Empire Windrush. Windrush nurses and midwives were, and their descendants remain, major contributors to the NHS workforce and we want to acknowledge their contribution to healthcare.

The programme is open to nurses and midwives who are descendants of the Windrush generation or who are from an ethnic minority background.

All costs are funded for you, including refreshments and lunches for the face-to-face sessions, overnight accommodation, refreshments and dinner for the residential programme, course fees for RADA and entry to Westminster Abbey for our annual commemoration service.

Programme dates:

Two cohorts of 22 will be supported. If accepted on to the programme you will be allocated to cohort 1 or 2. The programme will be a blended delivery of both face-to-face and virtual sessions. We aim to deliver the RADA sessions and celebration event face to face in London depending on government guidelines at the time. Some dates may be subject to change.

Both Cohorts

Opens: Now
Closes: 1 April 2022
Shortlisting: April 2022

Cohort 1

  • Welcome day: 29 June 2022 (Virtual session)
  • Quality Improvement: 30 June 2022 (Virtual session)
  • RADA: 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 October 2022 (Face to face in London)
    You will only be required to attend one session and will be notified which date if successful
  • Building Your Authority: 13 and 14 September 2022 (Virtual session)
    Attendance required on both days
  • Action Learning Sets: 7 November 2022 (Virtual session)
  • Final Day/Next Steps: 8 November 2022 (Virtual session)
  • Quality Improvement Project Submission: 11 January 2023
  • Celebration day: 16 February 2023 (Face to face in London)

Cohort 2

  • Welcome day: 19 July 2022 (Virtual session)
  • Quality Improvement: 20 July 2022 (Virtual session)
  • RADA: 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 October 2022 (Face to face in London)
    You will only be required to attend one session and will be notified which date if successful
  • Building Your Authority: 28 and 29 September 2022 (Virtual session)
    Attendance required on both days
  • Final Day/Next Steps: 9 November 2022 (Virtual session)
  • Action Learning Sets: 15 November 2022 (Virtual session)
  • Quality Improvement Project Submission: 11 January 2023
  • Celebration day: 16 February 2023 (Face to face in London)

Be part of a 'life-changing' experience

Scholars report the “life changing” scholarship experience and its professional and personal impact. Scholars report feeling more confident to speak out and influence improvements in patient care and health outcomes.

Other benefits

  • Greater understanding of personal leadership style

  • Improved sense of equal treatment by peers and managers

  • Improved satisfaction in working experience

  • Improved satisfaction with career progression opportunities

  • Increased self-presence and personal impact

  • Increased understanding on the impact of self on others

  • Increased confidence in speaking authoritatively

  • Greater self-awareness, political and emotional intelligence

  • Greater confidence to influence practice

  • Impact positively on personal development

  • Lead with greater presence

  • Improved patient and health outcomes

Programme structure

Programme structure includes:
  • 1-day virtual welcome day - a briefing day for both cohorts and the establishment of individual cohort learning communities
  • 1-day virtual QI session - advice and guidance on your QI project
  • 2-day residential with a unique cohort of FNF Nurses and Midwives designed to build a learning community and a robust network of peer support throughout the programme and beyond. Facilitated discussion on current leadership challenges and opportunities and other contemporary topics introduce FNF Nurses and Midwives to co-consulting, a simple process for giving and receiving help
  • 2 half-day virtual “Presence & Impact” Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Programme
  • 1-day virtual final day to identify next steps in the leadership journey
  • Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service, Westminster Abbey, London - a unique opportunity for nurses, midwives, health care professionals, family members and guests to celebrate their professions and at the same time give thanks for Florence Nightingale’s extraordinary legacy to healthcare
  • High-profile award ceremony to celebrate the success of the FNF Nurses and Midwives at end of the programme.

Eligibility criteria

The programme is for registered Band 5 – 7 nurses or midwives who are either descendants from the “Windrush generation” or are from a diverse background working in the NHS in England.

It is relevant for those considering their future career pathway and leadership development journey.

Application process

Senior Sponsor Form

 

The application, shortlisting and selection processes will be administered nationally by the Florence Nightingale Foundation with HEE representation at shortlisting and interview.

Information for applying online:

What you will need to demonstrate in your application form and interview:

  • How you will use the programme to work with others, learn from, and share experiences
  • How the programme will support your personal development plan (PDP)
  • How you will use the experience to improve patient and health outcomes
  • Your aspirations to develop as a leader
  • Support from your line manager and Chief Nurse to enable you to attend all learning sessions/opportunities as part of this programme

Upon application, you are required to upload the following information:

  • Personal, employment and education information
  • A copy of your NMC registration documentation
  • An electronic photo of yourself (head and shoulders in high resolution)
  • A completed nominator referral form (completed by your line manager and Chief Nurse) with authorisation to join the programme
  • Completed terms and conditions

Please note before application.

  • Applications that do not demonstrate commitment to the profession, improving patient and health outcomes, commitment to the Florence Nightingale Foundation Alumni will not be considered
  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted
  • Applications without line manager or Chief Nurse support will not be accepted


Apply online

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