As the CEO of Above Difference, it’s with immense pride and a sense of deep gratitude that I share our latest achievement: being shortlisted for the “Best Educational Programme for the NHS” at the prestigious 2024 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Partnership Awards.

The HSJ Partnership Awards are not just accolades; they are testaments to the unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence. Being nominated in the category that honours programmes that revolutionize the NHS through education, collaboration, and capacity building is a true honour. This nomination recognizes our dedication to empowering NHS staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance patient outcomes and reshape healthcare services.

Our journey began four years ago, and it’s been nothing short of transformative. Our “Leading and Engaging Inclusively with Cultural Intelligence” Programme has welcomed nearly 4,000 leaders and managers from various NHS sectors. We’ve evolved from offering Masterclasses to a comprehensive, transformative journey aimed at equipping leaders with the tools to foster culturally intelligent and inclusive environments.

A pivotal moment in our journey was our collaboration with United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. This initiative, championed by the visionary efforts of Tim Couchman, Sophie Ford and Rachel Watson, and under the leadership of Andrew Morgan, CEO of ULHT, aimed to address the culture and morale challenges within the Trust. Our team of facilitators trained at ULHT has since brought this programme to over 400 managers, significantly impacting the organization’s culture.

Our programme is a synergistic blend of Cultural Intelligence (CQ), Intentional Inclusive Leadership, Value-Based Leadership, and Change Management. It’s grounded in the belief that inclusion must encompass everyone to be effective. This approach has garnered a second major joint award in six months, reinforcing our commitment to challenging and evolving traditional EDI methods.

What makes our work truly rewarding are the “light bulb moments” experienced by our participants – moments of realisation and transformation. It’s a testament to the safe, inclusive learning environments we create for leaders from all backgrounds.

Our success is not ours alone. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Cultural Intelligence Centre and especially to David Livermore. The robust CQ model remains a cornerstone of our programme. We also celebrate the dedication of the leadership team at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, particularly Tim Couchman and the ULHT Facilitator Team, and express our thanks to Andrew Morgan and Claire Lowe for their unwavering trust and support. A special mention to my incredible team, Above Difference Limited past and present whose passion and commitment are integral to our story.

Being nominated for this award is a significant milestone for us. It validates our dream of positively transforming the work and community life in the public sector. We are thankful, humbled, and honoured by this recognition.

No matter the outcome, this nomination is a beacon of hope and an encouragement to continue our mission. We are more committed than ever to making a difference and look forward to the continued journey ahead.

For more insights into our impact, join us for a special webinar featuring Tim Couchman discussing the programme’s influence on ULHT.

https://youtu.be/Lm6liog3LN0?si=HjqY2rk7VmGZShoI

Awards are announced on 21 March 2024