Mary Seacole Celebration Event 2025: Reflecting on the importance of the leadership course

On 26 February 2025, the annual Mary Seacole Celebration Event took place. This event, jointly organised by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT), Bradford District Care Trust (BDCT), and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYFT), recognised the achievements of participants in the Mary Seacole programme from the previous year.

The Mary Seacole programme, a six-month intensive Healthcare Leadership course designed by the Leadership Academy, aims to build confidence, increase self-awareness, and develop leadership skills among healthcare professionals. Originally an 18-month programme, it has been condensed to provide a more focused and rewarding experience. Participants engage in workshops, online learning, and reflective essays, all contributing to their growth as leaders and making a real difference in how people lead.

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Jon Head, Chief People Officer at SWYFT, who emphasised the importance of the Mary Seacole programme in fostering leadership within the NHS. This was followed by a creative welcome activity led by Claire Stafford from LYPFT, where attendees used Scrabble tiles to form words associated with the programme, fostering connections among colleagues.

Sara Munro, Chief Executive of LYPFT, delivered an inspiring speech on the significance of leadership in the NHS, congratulating the participants on their achievements. The event also featured a coffee and cupcake session, providing an opportunity for attendees to celebrate and network.

Those who attended shared their experiences with the Mary Seacole program and spoke about the impact of the program on their leadership journey. This was followed by table discussions where participants reflected on what they had learned and provided feedback for the annual evaluation of the program.

Participants shared their thoughts on the programme’s impact:

“The 360 experience was brilliant. I certainly learnt a lot about myself as a leader through doing this, and it was good to also consider how others see me.”

“Transformative, enhancing my leadership skills and boosting my confidence to lead with purpose and compassion.”

“Helped me to understand the differences between management and leadership, and has had a positive impact on my self-confidence and my ambitions for self-development into a future leadership field.”

The event concluded recognising the successful participants and facilitators were acknowledged for their contributions, and group photographs were taken to commemorate the occasion. Over 70 individuals completed the programme last year, with 43 from LYPFT alone, highlighting the programme’s success and impact.

Photographs from the day

Two women sitting together at a table, playing with a collection of wooden Scrabble blocks arranged in a pile. Three colleagues engaged in conversation while enjoying coffee in a modern office setting. A woman speaks confidently to a group of attentive listeners during a professional presentation. A woman stands at a podium, delivering a speech to an audience at a conference, with a focused expression. A group of people seated around a table, reviewing documents and discussing ideas in a collaborative setting. A diverse group of people stands together in front of a large screen displaying information and visuals. A diverse group of people stands together in front of a large screen displaying information and visuals A woman addresses a group gathered at a table, actively participating in a discussion. A woman speaks confidently to a group of attentive listeners during a professional presentation. A group of people seated at tables in a well-lit room, engaged listening to a presentation. A diverse group of people stands together in front of a large screen displaying information and visuals. A diverse group of people sitting at a table, focused on papers as they collaborate and exchange ideas. A diverse group of people gathered around a table, intently playing a game of Scrabble with tiles and a game board Three women collaborating at a table in an office environment, focused on their conversation.