HIVCA Systems leadership training – Advocating for the VCSE within Health and Care in Hampshire

As members of HIVCA, you have already played a vital role in helping us establish a strong leadership voice. We know there is still so much more we can achieve together, and supporting and enabling our members to take on a VCSE advocacy role is one of our key priorities.

We are therefore delighted to be launching our “Advocacy Leadership Training Programme” in partnership with EnergiseMe this November.

We know that many of our members already attend a wide variety of collaboration meetings with NHS and local authority colleagues on behalf of their organisations. Through this programme, we want to create a network of HIVCA Advocates who can represent not only their own organisations, but also the wider VCSE sector, strengthening our collective voice and extending the reach of the alliance

To do this confidently and effectively, we are offering Systems Leadership Training to those who are interested in being a part of this network. This training will help build skills, knowledge, and confidence, while also creating stronger connections across our sector.

A headline overview of the programme is below. If you would like to find out more, please contact joy.martin@actionhampshire.org

Programme overview

The focus of the programme will be about how you lead in complex systems where you’re not in charge. This might be when you feel you don’t have any power, or because that power sits with other people or organisations, or you’re not always confident about knowing what to say. Or it could well be that you’re in situations that don’t have an easy or obvious solution, because you’re working on complex issues that have been around a long time, that feel messy and involve lots of different people.

The training will support you to develop your capacity and your confidence to lead not just directly, within your organisations, but across different groups, organisations and sectors. It is designed to be relevant whether you’re in a large or small organisation, and whatever your experience so far so that it will be of wider benefit for both you and your organisation.

Practicalities

  • The training is free for HIVCA members.
  • The sessions will be half-day (10am-1pm) and face-to-face in Hampshire.
  • The first session will be 27th November 2025 and there will be a further four sessions monthly January to May 2026.
  • You will be expected to commit to attending all 5 sessions, ideally.
  • They will be practical and interactive, with a focus on your applying the learning to real-time issues you’re facing, and with plenty of time for making new connections, reflection, questions and conversations in small groups.
  • There is space for 45 members, with the potential for adding more if demand allows.
  • The programme will be facilitated by Debbie Sorkin, National Director of Systems Leadership at the Leadership Centre (leadershipcentre.org.uk), a national charity with over 20 years’ experience in developing leadership capacity across public services. Debbie has already worked with VCSE Alliances around the country who are looking to find their place, and their voice, in a world of Integrated Care Boards, Health and Wellbeing Boards and other forums.
  • The dates of the sessions (exact locations TBC) are:
    • Workshop 1: 27th November – Southampton
    • Workshop 2: 29th January – Eastleigh
    • Workshop 3: 26th February – Southampton
    • Workshop 4: 26th March – Eastleigh
    • Workshop 5: 30th April – Southampton

Applications

We’d encourage anyone interested in developing their skills and understanding in leadership, to apply for the programme.

In order to apply, please follow this link to complete the expression of interest form