bespoke in-house training programme for the ymca

I met Peter Stephenson, the Deputy CEO for YMCA Birmingham at a networking event in 2018.  We kept in touch and through their HR manager Melanie Gallivan I was asked to tender for the provision of leadership training for 45 middle and front-line managers.  My proposal was accepted, and I successfully delivered the programme over a four month period. ​

A fun and interactive programme

YMCA Birmingham needed a proactive engaging programme to help all managers regardless of experience to reflect and develop their leadership skills.  Previous programmes had  not been successful, in part because of the academic demands placed on hard pressed managers.  To be successful the programme needed to be accessible, enjoyable and individually relevant. 

I developed a four session programme for each manager.  This comprised of a half day group session (max of 12 people) to explore how best to manage themselves and be good role models.  The initial session was followed up with an individual coaching module to help embed the learning into each manager’s particular context.  This was followed up with another group half day focused on leading people and supplemented with a second individual coaching sessions. 

The half day interactive sessions were time effective for these busy operational managers and didn’t overwhelm them with new ideas and techniques.  The emphasis was on participative discussion with lots of chocolate and laughter! 
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The training was considered by the commissioners to be effective and they have asked if I would return to help with the induction of YMCA managers in the future. ​