A talent development programme to support rising stars in the NHS from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds has been expanded.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) launched the Resilience, Intelligence, Strength, and Excellence (RISE) programme four years ago.
It aims to increase the number of senior leaders from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds and ensure staff have equitable opportunities for career development.
The award-winning programme was expanded this year to staff working for NHS service providers across the wider Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System.
Twenty staff from EPUT, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board and Provide Community recently graduated.
They are among 187 to have now completed RISE and it is hoped the programme will continue to grow.
Paul Taylor, Director of Organisational Development and Culture at EPUT, said: “Across the Mid and South Essex system, we benefit from having a diverse workforce with an incredible breadth of talent, much of which can go untapped.
“EPUT established the RISE programme to play a vital role in bringing this to light, making space, and elevating that potential.
“I had the privilege of chairing the graduation celebration event and it was a powerful reminder of why programmes like RISE matter.
“I got to hear how it has personally and professionally benefitted our colleagues, supporting people to grow in confidence, explore their ambitions, and take the next step in their career journeys.
“Well done to those who graduated, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the improvements you’ve been making to benefit the people we serve.”
Dr Sharon McDonald, Senior Head of System Workforce at NHS Mid and South Essex ICB, who attended the graduation ceremony on 11 July, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how RISE is helping to shape a more inclusive and representative leadership across our local system.
“It was inspiring to see the quality improvement projects presented by the incredible staff who recently completed this programme.”
“This highlights the real impact this programme has on delivering the best care in the NHS.”
The RISE programme supports staff to develop their leadership skills and confidence, and all participants work on projects to improve quality of care for patients.
Ayotunde Babatunde, who was recently promoted to deputy ward manager at one of EPUT’s mental health wards in Harlow, said RISE had been “incredibly impactful”.
“It’s really worked out for me, everything they taught us I have taken on board. It has really energised me,” he said.
Maureen Mahero, an education facilitator at Basildon Hospital, said it has boosted her confidence.
She said: “Being someone originally from Kenya coming to a new country and seeing people in the leadership team and saying yes I want to develop myself and grow to those leadership roles, I’ve wondered how can I get there. As much as I know what I am doing sometimes I look back and reflect on what pulls me back.”
Allen Dixit, a staff nurse working in Orthopaedics at Basildon Hospital, said he will use the skills he has learned and pass his learning on to others.
He said: “The RISE programme is nurturing future leaders. All those who have completed the programme will be making good changes in the NHS in a few years’ time.”
A number of special guests attended the graduation ceremony on Friday 11 July including Liz Fenton OBE, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NHS England and RISE patron; Dr Joan Myers OBE, a consultant and advisor to the NHS; Moriam Adekunle, who founded RISE at EPUT and is the Trust’s former Director of Safety and Patient Safety Specialist; Rohit Sagoo, founder of the British Sikh Nurses association; and Wendy Olayiwola, president of the Nigeria Nurses Charitable Association UK.
EPUT was named Best Employer for Diversity and Inclusion at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards 2024 for RISE. The team behind the programme also won The Zenith Global Health Outstanding Team Award in 2024.