Holywell Trust recognises the values of partnerships and connections. It forms the basis for important collaborative work which strives to create a shared space, brings people together and navigates difficult conversations. This approach is tried and tested, and it works well - though innovation is required, especially as new challenges emerge within the community and beyond. Part of that shift in thinking is focused on Future Leaders. We know that the community and voluntary sector needs strong leaders, at present, there are plenty of them - but when they step down? Foresight is required to ensure there are enough people who are equipped with the skills, capacity and connections to step-up and leave no gaps. A recent survey (of 120 organisations in the West carried out by Fermanagh Trust) shows that nearly 50% of board members have served on the same committee for over 6 years in community based organisations. Young people are also underrepresented. Succession planning is vital to change the narrative and bring a diversity of voices to the table, at committee level and on the ground, to serve the sector well into the future.

Leadership is often a hot topic of conversation, debate, training, TedTalks and on average, there are no less than four books published every day on the subject. Leadership is evergreen. People often cling to the antiquated view of leadership - thoughts turn to suits, exec-types and briefcases - though this isn’t necessarily the type of leadership we always require. Leaders exist within all walks of life, not just in roles synonymous with a hefty paycheck or those people who represent us in parliament, and it’s people with leadership potential that we ought to seek out and nurture now.

Despite there being no perfect formula to create a brilliant leader, the attributes which exemplify great leadership are traits of many individuals within our communities - courage, integrity and vision. The sector needs fresh thinkers and a mechanism with which to catalyse and build on the skills of those people who want to take the lead, and make a difference. 

We’ve addressed this by creating the Future Leaders Programme, after a successful pilot in 2019, we’ve refined the learning and launched the next phase - which seeks to create a cohort of 20 leaders with the skills, expertise and connections to make a positive impact where we live. Giving people the space and opportunity to explore a range of issues related to leadership within the sector, increase their confidence, and bringing in the very best experts to help us deliver, will see a payoff that hopefully extends well beyond the lifespan of the programme. 

This opportunity is not in isolation and forms part of a bigger 5-year initiative - the Investing in Community Leadership in the West project which is supported through the Great Ideas Fund of the National Lottery Community Fund. Together with our partners, Rural Community Network and Fermanagh Trust (lead partner) - we’re addressing the need for succession planning and fresh, independent thinking in a number of ways. Primarily through giving people of all ages opportunity to get involved, upskill and make valuable connections - creating a ready-made network of future leaders. The targeted opportunities over the next 5 years will see a renewed focus on plugging the succession-planning gap and enhancing the quality of community leadership skills in the West, ensuring readiness as an independent and vibrant sector for years to come. 

Find out more about the Future Leaders and Investing in Community Leadership in the West projects.