Developing Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust as a Culturally Intelligent and Inclusively Led Service. A Change Journey.

Hi there,

We are thrilled to collaborate with the Midwifery and Nursing Services across Lewisham and Greenwich Trust. Our unique, award-winning Inclusive Leadership Programme—Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours, and Engaging Communities—is meticulously crafted to empower leaders and managers. You’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to foster inclusive environments where diversity not only survives, but thrives and drives enhanced patient care, innovation, and collaboration.

Leadership is about inclusivity. Throughout this programme, we will explore various evidence-based models to help you evolve into an effective and inclusive leader. You will understand the crucial role you play in shaping cultures that fulfil the vision of your services, meet patient needs, and support your team’s growth.

Moreover, you’ll delve into the significance of Cultural Intelligence and learn why maintaining and in-depth understanding and awareness of your biases, cultural preferences cultural values is essential for every leader. Our aim is for this understanding to become a powerful tool for you as a leader to grow your understanding of others, become empowered as a Value Based, Intentionally Inclusive leader whilst also becoming an effective catalyst for sustainable change.

Please watch the briefing video below for more insights into the programme, including practical details to maximize your experience. I eagerly anticipate meeting you in person and supporting you on your journey to become an exceptional leader who makes a tangible difference in the communities you serve.

Jennifer  Izekor
CEO and Founder
Above Difference

Welcome to the Above Difference Programme

Thank you for registering your interest in the Above Difference Programme.

As the Director of Midwifery, Neonates, Women’s, Children and Sexual Health, I am committed to leading for and creating inclusive spaces. Which is why I and the senior team are fully embracing the Above Difference Programme and are excited to be part of the change within our maternity and neonatal services.

It is essential that we are part of a team which is culturally inclusive and colleagues can bring their whole selves to work and where they will be treated equitably.

By becoming a more inclusive workplace, we will be better able to recruit and retain colleagues from a range of different backgrounds. This will help us tackle workforce shortages, ensure people can progress in their careers with us, and more importantly, help us to deliver great care to our diverse population. That’s why it is of strategic importance to us that we create an inclusive environment that people want to work in, and where everyone can feel they have fair and equitable access to progression.

I am excited to be part of our journey and progression to a fairer, more inclusive space for all, and see this programme as an integral part.

Best wishes

Shirley Peterson

Shirley Peterson

Director of Midwifery, Neonates, Women’s, Children and Sexual Health

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Introduction

Why have you been invited to be part of this programme – what is it about?

The Above Difference ‘Leading and Engaging Inclusively with Cultural Intelligence’ leadership programme has been described by Wessex Academic Health Science as;

“A valuable and commissionable intervention to support senior health system leaders enhance their cultural awareness. It effected a change in participants’ understanding, a change in their personal approach to leadership, and there were indications this would be sustained into the future.

This unique programme for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust will offer participants an opportunity to:

  • Develop your Cultural Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership skills and capabilities thereby enhancing your ability to engage, lead and relate with diverse peers, colleagues, patients and communities
  • Gain a deeper understanding of how your own preferences and biases influence your leadership style and be introduced to a range of proven tools, techniques to help you lead and facilitate inclusive and compassionate workplaces and services
  • Explore principles of a value driven, strength-based approach to Inclusive Leadership while learning how to create positive dialogues around inclusion, manage difficult conversations and create teams and departments where all feel valued, seen and heard

Introduction to the Programme

The “Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours, Engaging Communities With Cultural Intelligence” Briefing Session

Thank you for coming this far. This 26-minute presentation is an introduction to the programme and will introduce you to Above Differences and tell you all about the unique Inclusive Leadership programme developed for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Please find time in your busy schedule to watch it as it will help you prepare for the programme. If you have any issues accessing the presentation, please contact us at ADProgrammes@abovedifference.com

Cohort information

Participants will belong to one of three cohorts who will take the programme together. The Masterclass and other programme elements are designed to meet the specific needs of each cohort. 

Senior Leadership Team is designed for senior leaders who sit on the organisations Board. It is up to each organisation to identify who will participate. Ideally the cohort will have a mix of roles participating. 

Cohort A is designed for Ward Managers/ Co-ordinators. Again, ideally there will be a mix of roles. participating. 

Cohort B is designed for Ward Managers/ Co-ordinators. Again, ideally there will be a mix of roles. participating. 

 

Programme Schedule

Please find below a schedule of our sessions together

Senior Leadership Team

Programme Briefing Session

Receive CQ 360 Assessment

3rd of June 2024

Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours, Engaging Communities

Day One: 11th of June 2024

Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours , Engaging Communities

Day Two: 12th of June 2024​

Culture Change, Planning and Implementation Day

17th of September 2024​

Cohort A

Programme Briefing Session

Receive CQ 360 Assessment

3rd of June 2024

Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours, Engaging Communities

Day One: 09th of July 2024

Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours , Engaging Communities

Day Two: 05th of September 2024​

Culture Change, Planning and Implementation Day

08th of October 2024​

Complete CQ Post Assessment Six Months From Pre-Assessment

December 2024​

Cohort B

Programme Briefing Session

Receive CQ 360 Assessment

3rd of June 2024

Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours, Engaging Communities

Day One: 16th of July 2024

Transforming Cultures, Changing Behaviours , Engaging Communities

Day Two: 10th of September 2024​

Culture Change, Planning and Implementation Day

10th of October 2024​

Complete CQ Post Assessment Six Months From Pre-Assessment

December 2024​

The Above Difference Programme Team

Lead Facilitator

Jennifer Izekor 
Founder and CEO, Above Difference
jennifer.izekor@abovedifference.com

Programme Delivery Assistant

Elizabeth Odioko
Executive Assistant to the CEO
elizabeth.odioko@abovedifference.com

Programme Delivery

Neyma Mildred Ali
Director of Programme Delivery
neyma.ali@abovedifference.com

“Incredibly insightful session. It has completely opened my eyes in new ways, I feel far more confident to advocate for others and respectfully challenge inequity both inside and outside of work. My passions have been ignited, I feel stronger and more competent in my role as a result of these sessions”.

Programme Resources

Resources to support your journey will be uploaded throughout the programme

Developing Yourself as a Culturally Intelligent and Inclusive Leader Part 1: Exploring Culture and Cultural Value Dimensions 

What’s Your CQ 

Where are your Cultual Connections?

Webinars

Want to know more about what we do and how we do it? Then check out our 5th Birthday Expert & Emerging Good Practice Webinar Series and hear why our Model of Culturally Intelligent and Inclusive Leadership is making such a lasting difference for our clients