Inspiring Leaders Case Study

Inspiring Leaders programme develops vision and confidence

A partnership project in the North West is empowering group leaders in isolated rural areas and those serving black and ethnic minority communities.

Common objective

All the groups use, or want to use, the promotion of health, sport or physical activity in their projects.

Building confidence for a sustainable future

The Inspiring Leaders programme builds the confidence leaders need to take their community groups forward to a strong and sustainable future.

Shaping their future vision

It helps them to develop a future vision that harnesses the unique values, energy and commitment of their group, while addressing practical management challenges.

Benefit to local communities

Another important aspect of this new programme is that it trains participants to develop and deliver their own leadership programmes in their own communities.

Partnership is key to a project's success

Sport 4 Life is delivering the programme in partnership with the Manchester Institute of Sport and Physical Activity at the Manchester Metropolitan University, funded by an Improving Reach grant of £368,824 over three years.

Early programme achievements and goals

Year one project milestones included research and development of a seven-day leadership training course, and delivery to 30 organisations through programmes held in Oldham and Toxteth, Liverpool.

The plan is to train 90 organisations over the three years.

Evaluating the impact

The partnership is evaluating the impact of the first two courses and looking at ways to continue to offer support.

That includes helping the group leaders, who represent very wide ethnic diversity, to succeed in their desire to stay in touch with and support each other.

Making positive changes

Asked to describe what impact the Inspiring Leaders programme has had, one participant said:

"I have used all the training sessions to influence positive changes in my organisation and, indeed, my mindset. I’m always a positive person, but positivity within group dynamics is very infectious"