Aspiring Leaders

Homelessness worker

You will be in a role that does not currently have people management responsibilities. We would expect you to have aspirations to become a Manager or team lead within the next two years. You might be in a front line or back office role. There is no minimum time that you have been in post.

Passionate about collaborating to achieve social impact and improve equity, diversity and inclusion

We want the programme to have long lasting impact on the sector. Your interest in collaborating with your fellow participants beyond the life of the programme is key.

Working for an organisation dedicated to ending homelessness in London

This must be a voluntary community sector homelessness organisation. Your organisation does not need to be a member of Homeless Link. Your organisation should be based in England. To be accepted into the London cohort, your organisation should be based in London or your role should be specifically focussed on homelessness in London.

Commitment to attendance

In order for you and your fellow participants to get the most out of the programme, we ask you to commit to attending all sessions. You will be asked in the application form to provide written evidence of commitment and support of your line manager.

Welcome and closing sessions

All programmes will kick-off and conclude with an in-person welcome and closing session, allowing you to meet your peers as well as leaders on other cohorts, and to build trusted relationships.

Workshops

Participants join six half-day workshops that focus on different elements of leadership development. Each session includes presentations, discussions, reflection and peer learning. Themes include how to get the best out of people, listening skills, overcoming barriers, and creating safe and inclusive spaces.

Additional workshops

Participants will join additional workshops, such as:

Equity, Justice and Inclusion in Leadership - what inclusive leadership and equity mean in the context of homelessness organisations.

Systems Leadership - principles of system leadership as well as skills, tools and practical approaches.

Action Learning Sets (ALS)

Action Learning is a powerful tool for developing critical-thinking, problem-solving, creative solutions and innovative practice. Action Learning Sets are a simple way to learn from each other, using the combined wisdom and skills of a diverse group of people to work through real situations faced in the workplace.

You will meet three times in groups of six, with a trained facilitator. Find out more about Action Learning in Lucy and Laura's blog.

Online networking community

Aspiring Leaders provides an opportunity to build relationships with other new and emerging leaders working in the homelessness sector. An online Whatsapp community enables participants to support peers during the life of the programme and beyond. The channel is used to ask questions, share learnings and offer mutual support.

Resources

Homeless Link has produced a number of resources targeted at leaders.

This includes our back catalogue of webinar recordings, which provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from CEOs and other expert speakers. Topics include Inclusive Leadership, creating more diverse and inclusive organisations, and how to involve people with lived experience authentically.

Mentoring

Mentoring offers you the opportunity to learn from a successful leader and build your knowledge of strategic issues. Initially a six-month relationship, you will be matched with a more experienced leader within the homelessness sector, offering a chance to ask questions, discuss real-life challenges and work towards personal and organisational goals.

Coaching

Leadership coaching provides a confidential, safe space for reflection and discussion, and empowers individuals to take responsibility for their own personal development. You will be matched with a qualified coach, who won’t be a homelessness expert. The role of the coach is to help you reflect to solve your own problems and to act as a “critical friend”.