Alongside She Leads for Legacy & Reform Radio, we are thrilled to announce the graduation of our cohort from the We Lead for Legacy Civic Leadership Programme funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority!
Over 9 months, a dedicated group of emerging and burgeoning local leaders have worked hard to grow their skills, knowledge, and networks. On 13 June at the Manchester Business School, we celebrated their incredible dedication, achievements and the bright future they will help build for Greater Manchester Civic Leadership.
Our graduation ceremony was a joyous occasion. Councillors, Civic Leaders, and mentors came together to honour the hard work and accomplishments of our graduates. The event featured inspiring speeches, a presentation of certificates, and a showcase of the projects that evolved during the programme by the graduates. Including an inspiring speech by July 2024s Changemaker of the Month, Lilly Bell.
The programme was filled with exciting learning opportunities. The cohort attended workshops on storytelling, podcasting, leading with purpose, communication skills and community engagement. They also supported their personal development through deep reflection in Action Learning Circles and their peer community through facilitated networking events.
The programme concluded with a Mentor-a-thon, providing a unique and novel opportunity to network while utilising high-capacity Sounding Boards including local council leads, community leaders, industry experts and their peers. They also had the chance to learn directly from expert community and civic leaders, who shared their varied valuable insights and experiences tackling different social issues. This blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills development made for an enriching and comprehensive learning experience.
Yasmine Dar, Arooj Shah & Eve Holt, who are real champions of inclusion and upliftment, were also in attendance and directly inspired another generation of Policy Influencers, Campaigners, Entrepreneurs & Politicians through their earnest show of support and confidence.
We are particularly proud of the measurable outcomes achieved through the programme. By the midpoint of the programme, we could already see the positive development in the cohort as civic leaders. These impressive survey results below demonstrate the tangible benefits of our programme and the initiative of the cohort.
Finally, to our remarkable graduates, we are immensely proud of every one of you. You have demonstrated unparalleled engagement, proactivity, and determination throughout this journey. Your passion for truly representative leadership and your commitment to making a difference in our community are truly inspiring. You are not just leaders of tomorrow; you are leaders of today.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the ripple effect these newly empowered leaders will create. We are committed to supporting them as they continue their work and to offering future programs that foster representative civic leadership in our Greater Manchester community. We believe that by diversifying the civic leadership of Greater Manchester, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant community for all.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this program, from our dedicated staff and mentors to the community members who have cheered on our participants. A special thanks to Greater Manchester Combined Authority for ensuring this programme was possible, your support has been invaluable, and we are grateful for your commitment to making Greater Manchester a better place. A special shout to our photographer, Alice, who made everyone there feel comfortable.
Amongst the many legacy-focused outcomes of the programme, the Building Legacy Webinar Series (including titles: Becoming a Magistrate, Becoming a Councillor and Becoming a Governor) and the We Lead for Legacy Podcasts are readily available to inform and inspire even more emerging civic leaders in Greater Manchester.
Together, we are building a brighter future and benefit all who call Greater Manchester home. Congratulations, once again to our We Lead for Legacy Programme graduates – the future is in great hands!
In a fittingly considered way, Alyson Malach, Director of Equality and Diversity UK and a member of the strategic stakeholder group for this programme shared her heartwarmingly insightful reflections on the journey of the Civic Leadership Programme in a beautifully hopeful poem: A Beacon of Hope
We appreciated every laugh, hug, word of encouragement and strength shared on the day and we hope to continue to support the expansion of Greater Manchester’s Civic Leadership. Together, we are building a brighter future and benefit all who call Greater Manchester home. Congratulations, once again to our We Lead for Legacy Programme graduates – the future is in great hands!
