This programme is designed for those who want to strengthen their leadership skills, reach their potential and invest in the long-term success of their organisation.
Across 10 monthly workshops, you’ll develop a network of peers and take part in a range of expert-led workshops that consider the unique opportunities and challenges that come from leading in the animal welfare sector.
Applications will close on Thursday 11th December, and successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 17th December.
Duration: Online workshop January - November 2026 (with a break in August)
Dates: Approximately 2.5 hours, each month
How to Apply
To apply for this programme, please complete this form which includes a few short questions to check your eligibility and help us understand why you wish to join us, and how this programme will benefit you and your organisation.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
· Be in a senior leadership role in an animal shelter (at all levels of experience, new and established leaders are welcome).
· Work in an organisation with 20 or fewer employees and volunteers (with at least 5 paid members of staff).
· Commit to attend all sessions (dates below).
· Be prepared to be an active participant in the programme (including pre and post session work where required, this would be around 1-2 hours of work per month).
· A lot of pair and small group work is involved, so attendees need to be confident working with different people. The course will be delivered in English, and therefore, competence in written and spoken English is essential.
· As the course is online, there is a need for strong internet access. A working camera is essential, as cameras remain on.
· There is a great deal of information within the course and plenty to do; we therefore need attendees who can commit to the sessions and fully focus on them without distraction. A private space will be needed during the sessions, as confidentiality is important.
These will take place online typically on a Wednesday at 14:00-16:30pm (UK Time) and will be supported by e-learning, reflective sessions and resources. Each session will be led by an expert speaker on the topic.
What will be covered
- Your Leadership: We will explore your leadership journeys and take time to reflect on how you've become leaders and what steps you took on your journey. We'll then reflect on what makes a great leader before thinking about leadership styles.
- Coaching your team: Building a confident, reflective team is vital to create a robust organisation, and being a confident coach can help you to do this. This session will take you through the skills and frameworks needed for great coaching conversations and give you an opportunity to practice a coaching conversation.
- Managing change: Even if we plan to the best of our abilities, all organisations may need to go through a change process, big or small. Being equipped to lead an organisation through these times is a vital for building a sustainable organisation and can make a huge impact on the wellbeing of your staff and volunteers. In this session we will explore how to effectively lead an organisation through unexpected circumstances and/or challenging situations.
