What was your aim?
My name is Katy, and I am a radiographer at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. I am proud to be the first Band 5 radiographer to be accepted onto, and successfully complete, the SWITA Multi-Professional Leadership Programme.
I joined the programme as I was very keen to invest in my own personal and professional development and prepare for future leadership opportunities within the NHS. Although I do not currently hold a formal leadership position, I wanted to develop my knowledge, skills and confidence required to grow in my current role and build a strong foundation for my future progression. The programme offered a fantastic opportunity to explore different leadership approaches, learn from others and develop practical tools to support me throughout the rest of my career.
What were the challenges?
One of my main challenges was developing my self-confidence and recognising my own potential as a future leader. As I do not currently hold a formal leadership position, I sometimes felt that opportunities to gain leadership experience and put my skills into practice were limited.
However, the programme provided me with an opportunity to explore how leadership could be demonstrated in everyday practice and helped me recognise that a lot of the work I was already leading on, including supporting learners across our department and championing various quality improvement initiatives were all examples of valuable leadership.
What were the results?
Over six months, I completed six study days covering the leadership of teams and services, change and improvement and personal development. These were supported by mentoring, self-directed learning and reflective practice.
The programme introduced me to practical tools, real-world case studies and different leadership perspectives, helping me to strengthen my knowledge, confidence and understanding of my own development needs. Completing the programme has been a significant personal and professional achievement. I hope my experience as the first Band 5 radiographer to complete it demonstrates the value of investing in aspiring leaders at every stage of their career.
What were the learning points?
One of my biggest takeaways was recognising that leadership is about what you do, not simply the position you hold. I hope my experience encourages others to recognise their potential and take the first step in their leadership journey, as you may already be leading without even realising it.
It has given me a fantastic foundation for my future career, strengthened my confidence and motivated me to continue developing, and I wholeheartedly recommend the programme to all my colleagues and peers.
Next steps
I am extremely grateful to SWITA for believing in me and providing me with this opportunity. The programme has equipped me with valuable knowledge, skills, confidence and professional connections to support my ongoing development. I look forward to building on these learnings and continue to make a positive contribution to my department.
The mentoring aspect of the programme has also had a lasting impact. I continue to keep in touch with my mentor beyond the programme, and they remain a valuable source of support and motivation. I am incredibly grateful to have met such a positive and inspiring professional who I look up to and continue to learn from.
Thank you, SWITA!
