The first ever Thrive Outdoors Leadership Programme finished last week with all 21 graduates coming together to celebrate.
Funded by a number of investors including Scottish Government and developed by Inspiring Scotland, the bespoke six-month programme supported emerging leaders for the outdoor community play and outdoor ELC sectors, meeting for sessions every three weeks.
As well as giving participants an important platform to build relationships with like-minded charity leaders in the outdoor play and learning sector, the course explored leadership topics including:
Industry experts shared their skills and experience with the group who benefitted from this tailormade training.
“If we want more children and families to experience quality outdoor play and learning opportunities, we need to support, nurture, and invest in the leaders who will make this happen.”
-Melodie Crumlin, Thrive Outdoors Fund Manager
“Having been in leadership roles for the past seven years and having completed other leadership courses in the past, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this course but I needn’t have worried – it was brilliant! Eve Poole started the programme by explaining that leadership isn’t something you can ‘just learn’, it’s more like an ongoing apprenticeship and this was a real moment of enlightenment for me. Being told you don’t have to always have the answers and need to invest in yourself as a leader on a continual basis was a revelation. Being given permission to be human and to carve out my own ‘style’ of leadership was truly empowering. I learned so much from this programme and loved that it was focused around those working in the outdoors rather than having a corporate focus which is often difficult to relate to. It was a true joy getting to know the others on the course and I learned something from each and every one of them. Overall a brilliant experience which I’d highly recommend.”
– Suzanne Hermiston, cohort 1 participant
“It has been a pleasure to meet the other members of the cohort, although we have similarities, we all do quite different roles and it has been interesting to catch a glimpse of different organisations. This leadership course is long overdue [for me] and so far, has been a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, if you have the opportunity to join another cohort, I recommend it.”
– Vicki Shiels, cohort 1 participant
If you are interested in learning more please contact Thrive@inspiringscotland.org.uk
“[My mentor] made me believe in myself again” Over the summer, 12 tech gurus from financial firm Morgan Stanley were matched with those who work in the third sector in Scotland to embark on a six month mentoring programme through Inspiring Scotland’s Specialist Volunteer Network. Morgan Stanley is a global leader in financial services and
Read More
The annual report provides an overview of the work undertaken to deliver on our strategic priorities and mission to improve the lives of people across Scotland. Last year Inspiring Scotland managed 16 funding programmes delivering to our strategic priorities ‘Improving Life Chances for Children and Young People’ and ‘Flourishing Lives’. We managed over £46m of
Read More
Monday 25 November, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart marked the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence by sharing Delivering Equally Safe’s latest six month Impact Report at a visit to funded project Monklands Women’s Aid. Monklands Women’s Aid supported 331 women and 109 children and young people in the six month period through
Read More