News Archive

Vodafone Group Services are about to run their third Springboard programme after the success of two pilots run a few months ago.  The evaluation of the course showed that 94% of participants agreed that attending Springboard would contribute to their effectiveness at work and realised that they now had more control over their lives.  89% were prepared to accept more responsibility at work and several in each pilot had made successful requests to expand their role or move to another.  Others had boosted their motivation, confidence and assertiveness.  Vodafone have run the courses as part of their diversity and inclusion and talent management programmes.
September 2009

We have been delighted with the success of Navigator in Dorset.

We are now about to embark upon our third Navigator Course commencing next month. In the last 12 months we have full two full Navigator Programmes in force. We have had to run this frequency of Programmes due to the fact that the demand for places has been extremely high.

The arrangements that we have are that we have a maximum of 26 students attending each Programme. Dorset Police work inconjunction with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service in terms of utilising their facilities for the duration of the Programme in exchange for a limited number of places on the Course.

Throughout the programme we have had a number of high profile guest speakers and these inputs have gone down very well. These guest speakers include; 

• Dorset Police Head of Operations and Olympic Planner
• Assistant Chief Constable
• Two members of the Bournemouth Independent Advisory Group
• Member of DFRS who rowed across the Atlantic.

What we have been delighted with is the fact that between the start of each Programme and the end of it, the numbers attending each session have remained very high. The evaluation that has been conducted shows that the aims of the Programme are being achieved.
September 2009

Springboard is now well established within Devon and Cornwall Police, with their 7th programme well underway. Working in partnership, Devon and Cornwall offered two spaces on their recent programme to the Prison Service. This was amazingly successful, not only to introduce the Prison Service to the merits of Springboard, but it was also of great benefit to the staff within Devon and Cornwall police to integrate and forge links with partner agencies.

This programme was delivered by Tiffany Macedo-Dine, and took place in Okehampton, where it is fair to say the sun does NOT always shine! However the group decided for their last workshop to have a summer theme. This not only involved turning up in bright clothes, but one home group also bought in cream teas for everyone, one group provided Pimms(non alcoholic!) and one group bought in ice creams as featured in the photograph. It made for a very summery day indeed!
July 2009

Cumbria Constabulary have won a 'Highly Commended' best practice award from the CIPD Police Forum, within the People Development category, for their work with Spring Forward and women's development. The awards were sponsored by the NPIA and announced in June 2009.

Martin Tiplady - Director of Personnel from the Metropolitan Police forwarded the certificate and congratulated them on their work. The project has been driven by Helen Ivory, Personnel Officer and Licensed Springboard Trainer from Cumbria Constabulary, and the training was delivered by Dr Sue Hewitt, who is a freelance Spring Forward and Springboard trainer.
June 2009

A Springboard Consultancy first! Lancashire Constabulary has launched a brand new male ‘Navigator’ course for gay and bisexual men in Lancashire, the first of its kind in the country. The new programme, launched on 2nd June has already proved popular with 15 male officers completing the first course this week. It was first initiated in response to the phenomenal success of its sister ‘Springboard’ programmes for women, and Lancashire Constabulary is now also looking to mirror its success by offering a female ‘Springboard’ course for gay and bisexual women.

Leadership trainer Darran Johnston said: “The Navigator development programme for men has been successfully used by over 5,000 men from all sectors in the world of work. It’s delivered, to great acclaim, through a specially trained network of highly professional trainers. I have found delivering the programme an overwhelming experience particularly in the breaking down of male stereotypes. I am delighted to be delivering the forthcoming programme for gay men, looking to learn but more importantly help in improving confidence within staff networks. I feel it a privilege to be part of change for men!

"Our course provides gay and bisexual male staff and officers with a unique opportunity to take time out, reflect and see their potential. By offering a programme particular to members of the LGB network it offers inclusiveness with an added safe environment. My aim is to provide that safety for men who perhaps haven’t yet reached that position of being comfortable with their orientation.

"Feedback from the course has been very positive with one member of staff acknowledging that the confidence he displays at work is on occasions arrogant and another realising that he is a spreader of negativity.

"One participant said he took the course because he thought it would help him at work but has ended up giving up smoking and another has said that instead of counting the days to his retirement, he is now making the days count."
June 2009

The first ever Fresh Steps programme in Suffolk Constabulary - indeed in a Southern England Police Service - took place in February and March 2009.

The trainer, Yvonne Coolbear, was extremely pleased with the programme and how the participants responded to it. "They are a fantastic group of people who have showed enthusiasm, commitment and motivation towards their own future. Organisations need to be mindful of the huge - perhaps untapped potential - they have within their older workers. I am proud that Suffolk Constabulary recognises and values its workers, whatever their age."

The programmewas extremely well received, with 100% of participants reporting that they would recommend it to others, and with an overall satisfaction rating of between 70 and 96 percent. Participantsprovided lots of positive feedback,such as "(I am) more motivated in my current role", "Older age is not a disadvantage", “I have a much more positive approach to changes I would like to make...", "I have been immensely reassured that I am not the only one who feels the way I do...",

Suffolk Constabulary also deliver Springboard and Navigator programmes and so show great commitment to the personal development of all their employees.

The programme was delivered by Mary Webb and Di Gee-Burch along with Karen Beeston, to a group of 40 participants. Here is Mary's review of events:

Both Di and I are from an ICT training background so it did feel different to be delivering a women’s development programme where we hope not only to ‘facilitate’ but to ‘inspire’. However, Jenny and Georgina had prepared us well on our Train the Trainer Springboard course that we came down to Devon for last December. As we moved through the programme the workshops ‘came to life’ and there was a real buzz in the room when we delivered Workshop 3 on assertiveness.

All the trainers prepared well and I have thoroughly enjoyed delivering the workshops. I have gained more confidence and experience from delivering sessions to a large group. I am looking forward to leading the autumn programme with Di Gee-Burch and I have already made a start by booking the Elected Members Room at County Hall for the autumn workshops.

We are undergoing a HR Review of learning and development and a re-structure of IT/Transformation where some employees have needed to apply for a new job in the new structure and attend an interview. I was able to use examples of how I have highlighted my experience and offered to provide assistance on various projects in order to ‘raise my own visibility’. On the resource table we provided useful information about preparing for interviews and typical interview questions that were very well received. During the programme several participants advised us that they had obtained new jobs internally.

Spring 2009

Now that 'NewsSplash' has moved online we have archived pdfs of the past editions of 'NewsSplash'.