Tag: life

Growing Confidence

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by Katrina Davies Student Midwife.

How did I get here? I’m not smart enough for this, can I do this? Am I good enough?  Are the many questions and thoughts that go around in my mind on a daily basis. Until I started my leadership journey and my degree.

I have wanted to be a midwife from a young age, getting turned away at interviews at the age of 18 was heart breaking as I was so keen to start my ambition young. Life got in the way, meeting my husband young we got married and had children, so I supported him in getting the carrier he wants whilst working part time and looking after our children. Until a friend of mine qualified as a midwife and encouraged me to start applying again. I applied for midwifery in Swansea in 2022 and didn’t get offered an interview. So I applied again the following year, was offered an interview. I was terrified but excited I was one little step closer. However, I wanted it so bad but didn’t want to get turned away again. Waiting for the result for the interview it was all I could think of. Then I had the email, an unconditional offer, I wanted to scream with joy, but my children were in bed so all I could do was phone everyone I knew to tell them with so many happy tiers that I had a place in Swansea university to study midwifery, I had done it! However, I had the dreaded thoughts in my mind, am I smart enough for this? How did I get an offer to one of the most difficult courses to get on?

The first day in uni was here and I was nervous, nervous to meet new people, nervous to start learning again and felt the pressure on myself to try and do better than ever. It was the career I have always wanted, and I didn’t want to mess it up.

I loved it. Everyone was welcoming, the lectures were extremely interesting, I was loving placement, putting what I was learning to practise and learning more in practise, meeting midwives and women, genuinely enjoying everything but also working hard to stay organised to spend some time with my family. The juggling and adjustment were difficult, but I was doing it. Things were going great. The confidence grew. Until we had our first assignment. Then the thoughts were there again. I just didn’t know how I was going to overcome this. Until one day, we had a lecture with the lovely Beryl. She talked about the leadership academy and all it had to offer. It sparked my interest and I thought it could help me. I thought it could help me overcome my imposter syndrome and help to build my confidence. So I applied, I couldn’t lose anything only gain. My application form was accepted and I had a place.

I started off at a little disadvantage, the first day of the leadership programme I was in an exam for my midwifery degree and couldn’t make it. However, the second day I made it and was a little unsure at first, but I was made to feel welcome, and everyone was so kind. Meeting other from different courses helped me understand other people’s experiences on their courses and professions. They were helpful in helping me catch up on what I had missed during the previous day. It was lovely to hear the guest speakers’ experiences, it made me understand that everyone is a leader in their own way, it also made me feel that I was not alone in my thoughts of imposter syndrome. From previously been told in my job not to ask questions to being told as questions, there’s no such thing as a stupid question was reassuring. The ice breakers helped pull me out of my shell in speaking to people I had never met before. It was refreshing. At the end of the day, we had small boxes where people from the room left little notes. It put a smile on my face and a small tear to my eye as people who barely knew me were writing kind encouraging things to me. The confidence grew a little more.

Part of the leadership programme was being pared with a coach. I was pared with a lovely lady who was previously director RCM Wales. We have met several times via Zoom meetings, and she has helped me massively in building my confidence and realising who I am as a person. She is such a kind caring woman, and I was so pleased to have been matched with her. Her advise has been so valuable in my journey through first year midwifery and It will be taken forward. She was kind to invite me to an RCM leadership coaching day in Cardiff where I was able to meet more lovely coaches and RCM members it provided me with good foundation into being a leader and again built on my confidence in meeting new people.

My leadership journey has had a positive impact to my life and will help me on my journey in midwifery. I have passed my first year and my confidence is slowly returning. There is still some work to be done. Getting comfortable in speaking in front of a classroom is my next goal, however I am confident this will come in time alongside the belief in myself that I can achieve my goal in becoming a midwife. Beating imposter syndrome is an achievement. I know things will just get better with my growing confidence and belief in myself. Throwing myself forward to participate in class and to speak confidently in presentations will further my development during my course. I would recommend anyone struggling with confidence, self-belief and imposter syndrome to take the leap into SLA it’s such a good opportunity and really helps you in your life to achieve your goals.

Whatever Makes you Uncomfortable is your Biggest Opportunity for Growth – a reflection on how the Student Leadership Academy shaped my journey

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by Emilia Williams Mental Health Nursing Student

During my first few placements, I felt lost in the depths of trying to navigate where I stood and what my role was as a student. I think it is easy to forget why we chose to dedicate our lives to helping people when we encounter uncomfortable situations, at least I do anyway. This is where the Student Leadership Academy came into my journey.

I remember the fear of stepping into that room on day one, not knowing what to expect, but deep down knowing that I would be thrown out of my comfort zone, which I now know is so important for personal growth. Through what I learnt in the Academy, my self-belief has grown massively, along with my confidence.

They weren’t the only things I gained from the experience. I met some amazing students along the way, one of whom was a student paramedic sitting opposite me. We got chatting about my interest in mental health nursing within the Ambulance Service. She asked if I had met one of their mental health clinicians, and when I said no, I wondered aloud whether they offered spoke placements.

She suggested I get in contact to find out, so I did.

After reaching out, I discovered that a student nurse had never had a spoke placement with WAST’s mental health team. I was advised to speak to my personal tutor to see what could be arranged. After a couple of months, I became the first student mental health nurse to complete a pilot placement with their team.

This experience gave me an incredible insight into their role within the ambulance service and helped me realise what my dream job is for the future. Even more rewarding is that this placement is now available to second-year students. You could say it was right place, right time, but it also came from taking that step and putting myself forward.

One of the most incredible parts of the Academy has been the opportunity for coaching. Going back to the self-doubt I had experienced; the idea of coaching initially challenged me. I wasn’t sure what it would involve, and interestingly, it was also my coach’s first time in the role. We were both in the same boat, sharing similar feelings at the start.

We quickly realised that our focus would be on confidence and self-recognition. Through coaching, I was encouraged to reflect on my experiences in practice, how I responded to different situations and how developing leadership skills could shape those responses moving forward. It made me reconsider what leadership really means.

Before this, I associated leadership with hierarchy, but I came to realise that this isn’t the case. Leadership is about how you carry yourself and how you strive to be the best professional you can be for your patients, regardless of your role.

A significant part of my journey has been meeting other mental health nurses who inspire me, people I look at and think, that is the kind of nurse I want to be. Someone who supports others in the way I have been supported, and someone who is willing to empower future nurses to step into leadership themselves. I know that the lessons I have learnt through mentoring won’t stop at the Academy, they will stay with me throughout my career.

One of the best ways I can describe my growth is through the two different feelings I experience when putting on different uniforms. When I change into my greens as a Band 3 compared to being in my student uniform, there is a noticeable shift in my confidence. There is also a difference in how people treat me, which I have found to be one of the most challenging aspects to navigate.

Talking through these thoughts and feelings with my mentor has helped me make sense of this. It has allowed me to understand that confidence isn’t about the uniform you wear, but about recognising your own values and worth, regardless of the role you are in.

Looking back on my journey in university so far, it is hard to recognise the person I was when I first started my placements. I felt unsure, overwhelmed, and constantly questioning where I fitted in. The Student Leadership Academy came into my journey at a time when I needed it most, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. It has not only helped me build my confidence, but it has also helped me understand my own values as a student nurse and future practitioner, whilst giving me some of the most amazing opportunities along the way.

I didn’t just learn things about myself; I learnt that leadership isn’t about the most experienced person in the room or having a title. It is about how you show up, how you treat others, and how you continue to grow, even when you feel uncomfortable. As a student, it is easy to think that we are ‘just’ learners, but we bring so much more than we realise. We bring compassion, curiosity, and the willingness to improve, all of which are good qualities of a good leader.

I would encourage any student who is given the opportunity to be part of something like this to take it, even if it feels scary. Stepping out of your comfort zone is where growth happens. For me, it opened doors I didn’t even know existed, introduced me to people who have shaped my journey, and helped me find a clearer sense of direction for the future.

I would like to say thank you to Beryl for this wonderful opportunity and for helping us as students become the most passionate professionals. You are truly amazing, the kind of nurse I want to be in the future, and a huge thank you to my personal tutor for believing that I could take on this challenge.

Finding My Voice: A Journey into Leadership

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by Teodora Grancea Operating Department Practitioner Student

I did not join the Student Leadership Academy because I believed I was a leader. In fact, when I first signed up, leadership felt like something that belonged to other people, those with more experience, more confidence, senior positions or a title that placed them at the front of the room. As an Operating Department Practice (ODP) student, my focus had always been simple: work hard, learn as much as possible, and do my best for the patients I care for. What I didn’t realise at the time was that leadership often begins long before that, during training, or in my case, in a cosy room from Swansea University. The Student Leadership Academy didn’t just teach me about leadership, it helped me discover parts of myself I had not yet recognised. Through listening to the speakers, coaching, and connecting with the fellow students, it challenged my assumptions, strengthened my confidence, and showed me that leadership is not about being the most experienced person in the room. It is about understanding yourself, supporting others, and having the courage to keep growing. What began as a programme to develop leadership skills gradually became something much more meaningful: a journey of self-awareness, empathy, and leading a team with the heart.

Where I Started

Before the Leadership Academy, I would describe myself as someone with a very strong work ethic. I believed that if I worked hard enough, stayed focused, and did everything expected of me, I would succeed. Hard work has always been important to me, and I still value it deeply. However, leadership was not something I saw in myself at that stage. To me, leadership belonged to those with more experience, more authority, or more confidence. As a student, I often felt my role was simply to learn quietly, observe, and do my tasks well. Looking back now, I realise the gap was not ability, it was self-belief. I had not yet recognised that leadership can begin long before a title or a position, even though somewhere inside my heart, I was a leader who wanted to be present for the other team members in challenging situations.

A Familiar Face at the Right Time

Walking into the Student Leadership Academy for the first time, I imagined a learning experience with presentations and some helpful advice about leadership. Instead, the academy created a powerful starting point for the leadership conference, where I was introduced to inspiring individuals and new ideas that pushed me to think differently about myself, my development, and the professional I want to become.

One of the moments that made the experience feel particularly special was meeting a familiar face at the right time, Andrew Lelliott as I had previously worked with him during one of my clinical placements before he moved to another hospital. Seeing him again at the Leadership Academy felt that I arrived at the right place to grow professionally, to develop my skills and become the best version of myself as a Student ODP. Sometimes growth happens when someone simply creates the space for you to reflect—and that is exactly what coaching with Andrew did for me.

Coaching: The Moment Everything Shifted

The individual coaching sessions became the most powerful part of the programme for me. Unlike traditional teaching, coaching was not about being told what to improve. Instead, it was about being asked the right questions—questions that made me pause, think, and sometimes see myself in a completely different way. Through these conversations, I began to understand my strengths more clearly, but also the areas where I wanted to grow. Coaching gave me permission to be honest with myself, without judgement.

One important “work towards” was about balance. I have always been someone who believes in working hard and giving my best. But coaching helped me recognise that growth also requires balance, making time for family, protecting wellbeing, and understanding that rest and reflection are part of becoming a better professional. That shift alone changed the way I approach both my studies and my future career. Another take away from the coaching with Andrew was motivation to stay positive and ambitious even in challenging moments.

Discovering Confidence I Didn’t Know I Had

Another area where I noticed real growth was confidence. Working in theatre environments can sometimes be intimidating, especially for students. There are strong personalities, fast decisions, and a lot of responsibility. Before the academy, I sometimes hesitated to speak up in those situations and say NO. Through coaching and listening to the speakers, I began to see that my perspective also has value. Patient safety depends on teamwork, communication, and the willingness to contribute—even when you are still learning. When I returned to placement, I noticed a quiet but important change. I felt more comfortable asking questions, sharing thoughts, and engaging more actively within the team. I wasn’t trying to be the loudest voice in the room, but I was no longer afraid to have a voice. For me, that was an important step forward.

Learning the Power of Emotional Intelligence

One of the biggest lessons from the Leadership Academy was the importance of emotional intelligence in healthcare. Hospitals are intense environments. Stress, pressure, and responsibility can affect how people communicate and behave. After attending the conference from Leadership Academy, I became more aware of my own emotions and how they influence my reactions. At the same time, I started to understand that what may appear as challenging behaviour from others is often simply a response to pressure, fatigue, or burnout. This shift in perspective helped me respond with more empathy and patience, which made me a better team player. Instead of reacting quickly, I learned to pause, listen, and understand the situation more deeply. In a team where patient safety depends on trust and communication, those small changes make a big difference, and myself a better leader as I am now able to support better and be present when others need it.

Why Coaching Matters

For me, coaching was the heart of the Leadership Academy experience. It helped me develop a growth mindset—seeing challenges not as barriers but as opportunities to learn. It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, to trust my abilities, and to approach new situations with curiosity rather than fear. Most importantly, it helped me realise that leadership is not about authority. It is about supporting others, awareness, and the willingness to grow. Leadership begins with understanding yourself, and coaching gave me the space to do exactly that.

A Journey That Continues

One of the most meaningful things about this experience is that it did not end when the programme finished. Even now, I still stay in contact with Andrew and reach out when I need advice or a different perspective. That continued connection reminds me that growth is not something that happens in a single moment—it is an ongoing journey. Walking away of the door from Student Leadership Academy, I understood more clearly who I am, what I value, and the kind of healthcare professional I want to become.

Looking Forward

Reflecting on this journey, I realise that leadership is not something you suddenly achieve one day. It develops through reflection, learning, and the courage to keep improving. The Student Leadership Academy gave me the opportunity to step back, acknowledge Imposter Syndrome, reflect on myself, and grow in ways I did not expect. It strengthened my confidence, deepened my self-awareness, and reminded me that leadership often begins in the quiet moments where we choose to learn, listen, and support others.

As I continue my journey as an ODP student, I carry these lessons with me. And perhaps the most important one is this: Leadership is not about being perfect. It is about being willing to grow.

My Difference is my Superpower by Jason Bailey, 2nd year Medical Engineering Student

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I have always been perceived by the people around me as different. Aspects such as how I can learn and turn my hand to almost anything in a short space of time and apply logic to concepts that I am unfamiliar with and be correct most of the time. I was also known for being very volatile, acting on emotions, which created a self-destructive tendency that negatively impacted me and the people around me. I found myself on two extreme ends of the scale, where I could excel in tasks like work and career development, and be the tornado of destruction in my personal life. This volatile behaviour resulted in me hurting my family and my partner, resulting in me separating from them.

I started seeking help from my GP who prescribed me antidepressants, which only worsened the situation as I became emotionally shut down, creating more distance between my family and me. To add insult to injury, the news of the closure of Tata Steel’s heavy end where I worked, sending me into a complete emotional meltdown. As a pre-emptive measure, I applied to Swansea University to study medical engineering, and I was fortunate to secure a place. This really took a huge amount of stress from me and let me continue to focus on trying to repair myself and the damage I had done to my family. I attended counselling that helped with coping strategies and got me to a stage where I titrated off antidepressants, but I felt that this was not addressing the root cause. I started my studies, and this became very overwhelming quite quickly. It had made me question my ability to finish my studies, particularly because it has once again impacted those closest to me.

One of my lectures was on Compassionate Leadership, delivered by Beryl Mansel (Associate Professor). I found the lecture very inspiring and mentioned a lot of principles I believed in as a leader.

Beryl Mansel promoted the work of the Student Leadership Academy, and I was really interested in applying, so I did. I was fortunate enough to be accepted, and the first two days of the Leadership Conference was on the 13th and 14th of March 2025. This was the start of a fundamental change in my life. The two days comprised presentations and team working activities, which I found very interesting and eye-opening. I had never heard of Imposter Syndrome until this meeting, and it made me realise a fundamental mindset that I have been applying most of my life. I have always experienced my life in two extremes. Either I excel or I struggle and there is no middle ground. This would create an emotional rollercoaster that would impact people around me. Due to these extreme opposites, I found myself questioning my achievements as mere coincidences rather than reflections of my ability.

I found it impossible to receive praise. Whatever I did was not good enough, small mistakes were failure and asking for help was a sign of weakness. This ruled my life, and I believed that I was a complete imposter on one end and defensively barricaded, thinking I would be found out as an imposter at any point. On the second day Clare Daniel Integrated Psychological Therapy Practitioner delivered her presentation on Neurodiversity and her experiences of day-to-day life. Clare described how she sees the world which seemed very similar to how I see things, and it really made me realise that how I see certain things is not the norm and is not a curse and can be used as a superpower.

I had a good chat with Clare at the end of the day and it energised me to seek help and advice. I reached out to a member of the student support services who supported me through my journey and facilitated tests which diagnosed me with dyslexia and ADHD. This diagnosis gave me acceptance and a rationale that changed my mindset. I now have supportive plans in place to help with my studies, and through education of ADHD and dyslexia, my family and I have a better understanding and coping strategies, which have made a major impact.

From Beryl’s lecture, the Student Leadership Academies’ participants and guest speakers, I was able to take a pivotal turn in my life. Not only do I believe in the application of Compassionate Leadership as a way of life, I also believe it has the power to transform how people see the world and inspire truly life-changing outcomes.

The Student Leadership Academy has given me the self-confidence and self-understanding to overcome challenges and strive for continuous growth both personally and professionally. I still believe I am not perfect, but I believe that constant self-improvement and self-reflection is a part of my journey moving forward. This approach has improved my life and gave me a new understanding of how diverse we all are, changing my relationships and my outlook on day to day life. From the 13th of March 2025, my relationship with my family has changed significantly. I have moved back into the family home, and my partner and I have since married. I have support in my studies and knowing my characteristics of ADHD I have changed my academic approach, which has drastically reduced the stress of academic life.

Thank you Beryl, Clare and the Student Leadership Academy.  

Jason Bailey

Student leadership Academy Reflection

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by Daniel Marks

Going into the course having previously attended leadership style educational events in the past I expected it to be more around the theory and how to put it into practice within our chosen areas. Upon taking part in the day sessions and moving forward into the discussions that took place between myself and my mentor I realised that it wasn’t really that and more about peoples lived experiences and how they were able to adapt their practices and lives in developing themselves as leaders. I had confidence in myself but did find it difficult to put ideas forward that I had due to feeling that those ideas weren’t good enough or that they simply wouldn’t be willing to have those conversations required in order for development to take place not just in practice but my own personal development journey.

Through discussion with my colleagues, lecturers and my mentor, I was fortunate to learn that my ideas had a place within the field I was looking to implement them within. The elevator pitch session stuck out to me, I was now aware that my ideas were valid and now I had to take them to the people that were going to be able to aid me in facilitating their implementation into practice. However whilst I was confident in being able to discuss them within my comfort zone, my learning group and lecturers for example. Taking them forward to the people that could actually allow me to make a difference was a different matter entirely.

Using the elevator pitch as a basis I began by reaching out to those people that could affect the change, upon receipt of their agreement to discuss with me I determined that the little time they were allowing me would have to be maximised. The academy had given me the skills, being able to put across the critical information around my change, whilst putting it in clear language with provision of some evidence of what I would like to implement would aid in facilitating the changes that I wished to bring about. Discussions with my mentor taught me that I was very passionate about my area of study and that things I had learnt in the past would allow me to discuss my passion in a confident manner and gave me the feeling that I actually knew what I was talking about.

As time went on heading into those conversations, where previously I would have had some nerves about talking to those in more senior positions about ideas and my thoughts on an area I was relatively new in. Now I found myself much more confident in my own abilities, the positive reinforcement from those around me aided my confidence that my ideas were worthy of being heard and I went into those conversations with elevated belief that although they were in more senior positions they were still willing to listen to what I had to say.

Having undertaken the academy I learnt that being able to step out of my comfort zone isn’t going to be comfortable but challenging, however that challenging aspect is what allows you to learn the most about yourself, do you have the ability to do the difficult things, have the difficult conversations, be able to stand up in front of a group of people and put across the topics that you may have confidence in your knowledge of but to be able to put those ideas to others in a way that facilitates their own learning and development. On the course I had the opportunity to stand up and present ideas of my own to the group, whilst the concept of what I was talking about was new to me, having had those conversation within the groups allowed me to develop my own understanding of the topic it did not automatically allow me to discuss in front of a group of people so being able to adopt the ‘fake it till you make it’ approach gave me the chance to appear more confident in front of others than I otherwise would have been.

In short take the chances you’re presented with, take part in the difficult conversations, reach out to those that can influence and adopt the ideas and changes that you come up with. One thing I learnt is that everyone is the same as us, each one of us has a group of people that we would feel uncomfortable standing up in front of and discussing topics were involved in. Take the time to speak to parties that you find more confidence putting your thoughts and opinions over to, allow them to come back at you, question you on your thoughts and knowledge on the area, this will allow you to gain that necessary feeling that you know what you’re talking about and when you have conversations with more senior parties you will feel far more relaxed than you did in the past.

I’m already a leader so why the leadership programme?

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by Ellesse Mathias

The leadership programme was proposed to my cohort as a workshop to attend if you want to build confidence, presenting skill or work through imposter syndrome. However, my rationale for applying for the leadership programme was to establish how to become a compassionate leader. I needed to do this to enhance my passion and desire to influence change in the Learning Disability Field of Nursing.

Prior to University I supported families with children who have complex physical and medical health needs in the community. I managed a team of care staff to deliver quite invasive bespoke care and interventions. As my position as a team leader grew and grew, I found myself drowning in the responsibilities, demands and expectations of me within my role. I worked anything between 60-100 hours a week between hands on care, admin and data collection but found I always neglected myself, my wishes, aspirations and social life.

 I always stated, ‘it didn’t matter, I loved what I did’.  

I knew I was outstanding in my role, and I could evidently see progress and improvement in the family I was supporting therefore it was worth the sacrifices I was making.  I always felt I conducted myself well but soon found myself receiving feedback that I appeared tired, stressed and even unapproachable to members of my staff team, but never knew how I could alter my mindset, my work ethic and my approach to my team.

This is how the leadership programme enticed me to delve into a search to improve myself, grow my understanding and approach to finally support, empower and work in co-production successfully within my desired career and life.  

Throughout the workshop I listened to tips and tricks in how to establish our leadership style and I have utilised skills such as self-reflection, recognising my personal values and my methods of leadership to enable me to find a way to grow and develop.  Spirally into internal questioning of – Why do I feel this way? Why do I need to do everything? Why does this frustrate me?

I have such a passion for Learning Disability nursing and supporting, advocating and improving the quality of lives of all the people encounter throughout my personal and professional capacity. However, I have reflected on my previous leadership style, and I am aware that it did not reflect, project or nurture my passion in a way that always inspired others, in the way that I hoped.

I wanted to develop my ability to be a compassionate, influential and motivating as a Leader. I have come to understand that ensuring my own self care is paramount along with meaningful teamwork. I have always struggled to delegated tasks due to being a perfectionist, but I’ve come to understand that delegation of tasks is important for to develop staff role identity and self-worth. I have always been commended for my dedication, knowledge and experience in supporting individuals, but I wanted to utilise the leadership programme to develop myself and skills to empower, educate and understanding being the best, the top person isn’t a good ideology to have.

Coaching

I had the wonderful opportunity to request a coach Ruth Northway who has been pivotal in the Learning Disability field of nursing in research, education and supporting adults in the community for over 40 years. Despite announcing her retirement in 2023 she kindly agreed to mentor me in April 2024.  During our first meeting Ruth asked me – what support would you like from me?

I kindly requested to utilise her decades of experience, connections and wisdom to support me to widen my knowledge and experience but more so to have the opportunity to self-reflect with someone actively listening.  

I knew I needed someone to help me reflect on situations I have been in or encountered as a student and then learn how to challenge others in authority correctly, professional to showcase me passion rather than come across intimidating.

Ruth suggested that instead of being the front runner in discussions to sit back and observe but also ‘put yourself in situations where you are the stand along voice for Learning disabilities and from there your opportunity to advocacy, create change and educate others will be most influential’.

I found this advice useful -which appeared simple to achieve with the variety of placements as a student and utilising my unique perspective on situations to impact discussions in different field of nursing such as mental health.  During my 3 month coaching experience with Ruth we met a few times via teams and in person which greatly enhanced my coaching opportunities and having that dedicated time to self-reflect, openly and honestly with Ruth is a skill and protected time I will always utilise within any team I work apart of in my career.

Reflection and now direction

During our final day at the academy, we completed a ‘Spin a Yarn’ activity which ended a little emotionally on my behalf, as I drew back on the feedback boxes we collected at the beginning of our leadership journey.  I was taken back by some of the notes in my box that stated……….

  

This was very raw as it was the opposite to a comment that was made to me the day I left my previous employment. Being unapproachable was something I never spoke about out loud or even rationalised it was something I have internalised for a long time, and this was something I never wanted to leave behind or affect my ability to lead a team. However, despite being perceived in that matter within 2 days surrounded by a room of strangers was very insightful and provided a lot of hope and reassurance that I am on the right pathway to become a compassionate leader.

Yes developing yourself is important and looking to grow is great but to learn how to demonstrate effective leadership via looking after myself, my mental health is becoming vividly clear to my desired success. This is a topic I will continue to advocate and promote as a student and into my hopeful carer as a Learning Disability Nurse.

 One quote I adore and will always resonate with me is ‘You teach best what you most need to learn’.

IT WAS MENTIONED THAT – “THERE IS NOTHING MATCHO IN ANSWERING EMAILS AT 4AM “.

This is something I always prided myself on that I was always accessible and dedicated to my role in supporting the children and families I support 24/7, but I now understand this is not attainable for the next 40 years in my desire career.

Especially within the field of nursing there are so many demands, and we get lost in the rabbit hole of to do lists on to do list.  Finding a way to only allow 3-5 things on your to do list at once is a tip I will always need to fall back on, and establishing set times for working, resting and recovering. I believe this is essential as a nurse as research has highlighted that

‘Burn out was one of the major causes for professionals leaving (Royal College of Nursing, 2023)

This is very disheartening to comprehend as a rational for losing valuable nurses as Learning disability nursing is a very small profession and we really need to support, nurture and nourish our small team.

In conclusion my main self-reflection I have found during my time in the leadership programme is:

I had a very high standard of expectations of myself to being the best at everything and this impacts my mood, productivity and patience.  On reflection I always felt like I was just perfectionist, and this is my ethos by wanting to problem solve, provide person centred approach to care but also improve individuals’ lives. I have come to realise that just because that is my ethos, that not everyone feels the same and maybe I shouldn’t project that onto others.  I am now a lot more mindful of my personal life and health and if I prefer things done in a certain way or in a certain time scale, but this shouldn’t always be my expectation of others around me.

My most pivotal reflection is that I expect the same from others as what I do myself, but this is a naive and uncompassionate perspective and expectation to have. I have only managed to achieve and experience so much in my life because of neglecting my own personal life, health and time to rest. 

Therefore, I realised I need to be a lot more compassionate and mindful of other’s personal needs, health and how this can impact on their ability to work productively, impact their absences and most importantly feel safe and supported in the workplace.

LEADERSHIP AND WELL BEING IS A JOURNEY AND I WILL CONTINE TO GROW, DEVELOP AND LEARN.

Thank you for Reading and I hope this will inspire others to be open, honest and constantly mindful of your own mental health and how this will impact on your team and others around you.

Ellesse Mathias

2nd year Learning Disability Student Nurse

https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-latest-nmc-data-exposes-nursing-retention-crisis-says-rcn-240523

Embracing Leadership: My Journey at the Student Leadership Academy

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By Stephanie Todd

Attending the Student Leadership Academy (SLA), hosted by Beryl and Sam, was a transformative experience that far exceeded my expectations. The course was more than just about leadership skills—it was about growth, resilience, and learning how to navigate the challenges that come with stepping outside your comfort zone. The guest speakers shared their inspirational stories about their leadership journey.

One speaker’s message resonated with me. She shared two powerful quotes that shaped my perspective on success and personal growth. The first was, “Hard work puts you where the good luck can find you.” It reminded me that success isn’t just about waiting for opportunities to fall into your lap. Instead, it’s about laying the groundwork through consistent effort, even when things don’t seem to be going your way. It’s easy to get discouraged when it feels like others are getting amazing opportunities, but we often don’t see the countless hours of hard work they’ve invested.

The second quote, “Work so hard on yourself that you shine without a spotlight,” struck a chord with me. It emphasises the importance of self-improvement—becoming the best version of yourself, not for recognition, but for your own growth. This is what true leadership is about: working quietly in the background, knowing that your efforts will speak for themselves, even when you’re not in the room.

Throughout the course, I had the opportunity to learn more about Emotional Intelligence (EI), a crucial aspect of effective leadership. EI is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. During our group project on EI, I found myself stepping into one of my greatest fears—public speaking. I used to avoid presentations at all costs, terrified of making a fool of myself. My body would go into fight-or-flight mode: my heart racing, palms sweating, and voice trembling. Despite my nerves, I pushed through, knowing that every moment of discomfort was an opportunity for growth.

The experience taught me the importance of self-awareness, a key component of EI. Acknowledging my fears allowed me to manage them better and ultimately gain confidence in myself and my abilities. Even though I stumbled over my words, I shared my thoughts openly with the group about how I was feeling. And you know what? The world didn’t end. I survived, and more importantly, I learned.

The presentations we did throughout the academy became a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come. Each time I stood up in front of the group, my anxiety diminished. On the second day, when my team pitched an idea in a “Dragon’s Den” format, I could feel my heart racing, but it wasn’t as deafening as before. When our project wasn’t chosen, I didn’t let it discourage me. However, I was invited to join the team that won the competition. The experience was a testament to resilience: even when things don’t go as planned, there are always opportunities to grow and improve.

In fact, one of the biggest lessons I took away from SLA was that leadership is not about being perfect or always winning. It’s about being willing to face discomfort and persevere. As a student nurse, I know that true leadership is about showing up for others—whether that’s for my team, my patients, or myself. This course helped me understand that leadership is a mindset, not a title. It’s about developing the EI to build strong relationships, make informed decisions, and support others in their journey.

A pivotal moment for me came when Nicola, the Acute Care and Leadership Advisor from Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales offered to be my mentor. Her journey resonated with me, especially when she spoke about understanding my imposter syndrome as it is something she has felt too. Her support and guidance have been invaluable, particularly during our Zoom calls where we discussed leadership styles and personal growth. We even took a personality quiz and discovered that we shared the same personality type. It was a comforting reminder that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to leadership, and everyone’s journey is unique.

Nicola invited me to the International Nurses Day event at Swansea Bay University Health Board’s HQ, where I had the chance to network with senior nurses, directors, and other healthcare professionals. The event highlighted the importance of leadership within the nursing profession and gave me a broader perspective on the impact of strong leadership within healthcare. I also had the opportunity to participate in a corridor care workshop at the RCN’s Cardiff headquarters, where I collaborated with other healthcare professionals to discuss ways to improve patient care in the NHS. The experience opened my eyes to the power of collective leadership in driving change.

Throughout the academy, I continually challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone. On the third day, the project I had joined had to present the work we had done towards the ‘Resourced Student’ wellbeing project. Despite my nerves, I presented our ideas to the group again. This time, I found it easier. It was a reminder that personal growth happens when we face challenges head-on, rather than avoiding them.

As I reflect on my time at the SLA, I realise how much I’ve learned—not just about leadership, but about myself. In the end, my experience at the SLA wasn’t just about developing leadership skills—it was about learning to lead with emotional intelligence, embracing vulnerability, and growing through discomfort. Emotional intelligence, after all, is the cornerstone of great leadership. It’s about understanding ourselves and others, navigating challenges with resilience, and empowering those around us to reach their full potential.

I’m grateful I took the leap and applied for the Student Leadership Academy. While the academy has ended, I know that this is just the beginning of my leadership journey. I look forward to continuing my growth and finding new ways to apply the lessons I’ve learned, both professionally and personally. The journey of becoming a true leader never truly ends. It’s a process of constant learning, evolving, and growing—one step at a time.

From the Rugby Pitch to Personal Growth: My Journey Through Adversity, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence By Rhys Evans

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Rugby from a young age was the biggest part of my life. From around the age of 10 I found a passion for the sport. Week in week out I developed my skills with an old ball, a pair of boots and some friends. As I aged, my ability started to develop, and I was getting noticed. At 16 I was asked to play for college, where I lifted 2 trophies. I entered my senior year with Cardiff and started to edge my career into the U20 development squad. You’d think that playing rugby for 10 years I’d be confident, resilient, and full of belief. However, these were constant struggles within my career. Always holding me back. The final nail to my career was a spine injury which abruptly ended my career and left 10 years of hard work completely over.  

I dropped out of university and spent a whole year spinning my thumbs. This time showed me how complex emotions are and how vulnerable I was at the time,  

After this time, of ups and downs I found myself applying for a job as a HCSW in an operating department. Nervous was an understatement. I wasn’t confident at all, I never thought I’d even make it passed the interview stage. Fortunately, I was accepted, and my NHS career started.  

“Rhys, I think you’d be a brilliant ODP, hurry up and do your training”  

Looking back at my insecurities for years, these were words I’d never thought would be told to me in such an environment. The compliments to my determination to learn, my work ethic, my compassion to patients, my energy for the role, my ability to remain calm and collected in stressful situations. After 4 years in the operating department, I decided to move down a different path. I used the skills I’d learned, and the confidence I’d gained to step into the entrepreneurial world.  

It didn’t get off to the best start, leaving a stable job to fall into a lockdown due to covid wasn’t my idea of trying to financially support a relocation with no income and no business experience, but I did manage to sustain this for around 6 months. As business picked up and I invested heavily into a business mentorship. Little did I know it was time for my second life 360. I was diagnosed with Bowel Disease. After unknowingly suffering for months, the truth finally hit after a colonoscopy. I felt like all I’d worked to get over, to move forward with my career and fill the void of my rugby career. This diagnosis regressed my person to my previous self and more. Thousands of pounds down the drain, no business, no health. I moved back home to my parents and entered this cycle again. 

 

(Crohn’s & Colitis UK, n.d.) 

After another long period trying to manage my condition, after years of fighting to sustain a business and manage my disease. I made the decision to step away from personal training and revisit my career into healthcare. After another year in theatre, I decided to apply for Operating Department Practice to be a student here in Swansea which, thankfully I was successful.  

Life has a way of putting the right opportunities in front of us when we’re ready to receive them. For me, that opportunity was the Student Leadership Academy. It was there that I was introduced to the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI) — and it changed everything. The Penny dropped that throughout the years of struggle, setbacks and very large hurdles.  I was unknowingly working on a lot of the traits of EI. Learning about emotional intelligence opened a new world for me. I realised that true strength wasn’t about bottling up emotions or pushing through pain silently. True strength was about self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and managing emotions. What I had been building in the background for what felt like years had finally made sense. The lessons in leadership and emotional intelligence didn’t just help me personally — they transformed my business, my relationships, and my outlook on life.  

Following this into my 2nd year as an ODP student, I had the privilege to present the EI workshop alongside a colleague of mine within the Student Leadership Academy at Swansea. Which was something I’d never had thought of I’d be capable of doing prior to the experience gained from this conference. Not only did the opportunities previously help me manage my emotions, but it also solidified my beliefs that despite all the setbacks, deep down I had the potential within me to truly feel success.  

IBD is still a part of my life, but it no longer defines me. Anxiety still shows up from time to time, but now I have the tools to manage it. Confidence isn’t about the absence of fear; it’s about moving forward even when fear is present. 

Today, I’m proud to say I live with more authenticity and courage than I ever thought possible. My journey — from rugby player to ODP, business owner, emotional intelligence advocate and EI Leadership taught me that every chapter, even the painful ones, builds the foundation for the next. 

Rhys Evans – 2nd Year ODP Student  

References 

Crohn’s & Colitis UK. (n.d.). Www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk. https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk 

 

Hard work and luck. By Felly Mistweave

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I have always been drawn to people. Their energy, their charisma and their stories. From a young age, I have always been creative. I followed my dreams and studied art and later worked with people of all ages in lots of different ways. I am now in my second year, studying occupational therapy, which means I will be able to continue working with people in a way that supports them to engage in their meaningful occupations.

As a mature student, I decided that I would take every opportunity that came my way, whilst studying, with such amazing potential opportunities in front of me. I knew as soon as Beryl Mansel came to give us a lecture on compassionate leadership and mentioned leadership academy, that this was something that I would love to be involved with. I was drawn to Beryls charisma and energy and her ways of thinking which honestly inspired me with ideas around compassionate leadership.

I was then of course extremely happy to have been accepted on to the student leadership academy, which involved a two-day conference with guest speakers and the opportunity for mentorship.  Now, reflecting on these two days almost a year later, there are three main things that stand out to me from this time- the people, the learning and how I felt.

The people

I was instantly in awe of the guest speakers that came to speak during this time, alluding such confidence and experience is a difficult position to imagine yourself in, when still studying the profession, you hope to one day be a part of.

Dr. Vivian Osuchukwu was a guest speaker that really stood out to me. She shared her story, the journey that had brought her to us. She shared where she had come from and how it is possible to make your way through the world- to develop your career not by being loud and assertive but by showing your capabilities. I loved the way she shared the potential of soft power. This quote from her, will probably stay with me forever “Hard work, will put you where good luck can find you”. This to me was the perfect way I would describe my approach to life- to work hard and embrace the luck.

I was also in admiration of the occupational therapy guest lecturer and what I loved about this talk- was the authenticity. Sharing their story of coming from a working-class family to now being the occupational therapy professional practice lead for Wales; influencing policies and stakeholders. It was my first glimpse of how occupational therapists can work in diverse ways, highlighting the importance of their role as advocates for social justice and gave me a glimpse into the potential within a career of occupational therapy.

How I felt

Whilst I took so much from the inspirational talks, I found myself feeling extremely daunted and overwhelmed after the first day. How could I possibly live up to this? I also felt the overwhelming pressure of this idea of being the “perfect person” and “perfect professional”. Is it possible to be so good and to do right all the time? These feelings resumed throughout the conference and when it came to presenting a well-being project at the end, I felt so overwhelmed I was unable to talk.

The information

Despite this, our team did win the well-being project as an idea and so since this time, we have been slowly and quite unsurely working on our project called the “Resourced student”. The reason I say unsurely, is that we have had many challenges since its inception, to bring our ideas into reality.

However, what the leadership academy did teach me is the importance of learning from mistakes and openly learning from them, it also taught me the strength in upholding beliefs and values and so- despite a slow start to the project- we are still working to bring our ideas into fruition. This is our logo-

And we currently have an Instagram page. We are currently working to share well-being resources that will be beneficial to healthcare students at Swansea University.

Whilst my journey since leadership academy has included working on the Resourced Student Project, I have also had the opportunity for mentorship, which has allowed me to work on my confidence, emotional intelligence and presenting skills. I have since become a Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) mentor and I am currently taking part in peer assisted study session (PASS) to become a PASS leader.

Alongside this, I have had the opportunity to connect with my passion which is art and people, through a volunteering module. I have been doing this with the Glynn Vivian art Gallery in Swansea. Which has given me opportunity to utlise Golemans (1995) concepts of emotional intelligence in working with adults over 55`s in the community. These concepts such as understanding other peoples feelings and stories has been possible through art making and also understanding my own responses and behaviour through reflections and feedback.

*Images taken with consent from participants during Glynn Vivian Outreach project.

At the start of the two-day conference, we were asked to write down who I am? Where am I now? And where do I need to be in 3 years time?

Of which I wrote- I am a creative, inquisitive, overthinker and perfectionist, who has lost her confidence. In three years time I would like to improve my listening, have more confidence presenting and talking in groups.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to explore this journey, to be inspired by such interesting people and their stories. I think that the leadership academy was just what I needed at the right time. An opportunity to rekindle my confidence, to explore new opportunities and to build upon myself. I hope that I can take all that I have learnt so far and continue learning and to share this during my journey and career as an occupational therapist.

References

Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.