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“Ice Breakers, Big Ideas, and Brave Voices: Becoming the Leader I Never Knew I Could Be”

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  • Devansh Chiralayath Njalil Baburaj (3rd year Bsc. Nursing (Adult) (Hons.)).

Devansh Baburaj | LinkedIn

When I signed up for the Leadership Academy at Swansea University, guided by the brilliant Beryl Mansel, I thought it would simply add another skill to my academic toolkit. What I didn’t expect was a journey that would challenge my assumptions, stretch my confidence, and leave me with friendships and memories that I know will last far beyond the walls of the university.

Leadership is a word we hear often—attached to job descriptions, corporate values, and motivational posters—but living it is something altogether different. Over the course of this academy, I discovered that leadership is not about power or position. It is about people, presence, and purpose. And most importantly, it is about growth.

First Steps: From Strangers to Allies

Walking into the room on the first day, I felt the familiar twinge of nerves: new faces, new expectations, and the unknown ahead. But almost instantly, those nerves were eased by the ice breakers. Simple as they were, they worked like magic. In minutes, laughter filled the room, stories were shared, and barriers dissolved.

One moment that stays with me was when we each revealed a quirky fact about ourselves. The room erupted with laughter as we uncovered hidden talents, odd habits, and surprising hobbies. It may have looked like fun and games, but beneath it was a profound lesson: connection comes before collaboration. As John C. Maxwell reminds us, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That care began in those light-hearted moments.

Fuelled by Inspiration

The inspirational talks throughout the academy were like sparks lighting a fire. Some were stories of resilience, others lessons in vision and responsibility, but each left me reflecting deeply.

One idea struck particularly hard: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” I realised I had been measuring leadership by how well I could lead from the front. The academy showed me that true leadership is also about knowing when to step back, listen, and create space for others to shine.

“True leadership is not about standing at the front, but about creating space where others can rise” – this is another lesson I learned.

Coaching: The Mirror of Growth

The coaching sessions were unlike anything I had experienced before. Instead of being told what to do, I was asked questions that lingered long after the conversation ended.

My coach asked me: “What would it look like if you trusted yourself more?” That single question cracked open a floodgate of reflection. I realised how often I second-guess myself, not because I lack knowledge, but because I fear imperfection. Coaching taught me that leadership is not about flawless execution—it is about courageous progression.

Those sessions became my mirror. They helped me see the leader I already was and the leader I could become.

The Verbal Pitch: Pressure Meets Purpose

The academy wasn’t just about reflection—it was also about action. The verbal pitch exercise was the ultimate test of composure and teamwork. Without the crutch of slides or props, it was just us—our voices, our conviction, and our ideas.

Preparing for the pitch was both chaotic and exhilarating. We brainstormed passionately, debated fiercely, and laughed at our own mistakes. There was even one rehearsal where someone lost their train of thought mid-sentence and improvised an entirely new ending—much to our amusement. But through it all, we discovered the power of collective creativity.

When the time came to deliver our pitch, I felt my nerves transform into energy. We spoke with clarity and conviction, and in that moment, I understood what leadership feels like in action: not controlling every detail, but trusting in the strength of the team.

My Leadership Growth

Reflecting on the academy, I can trace a clear arc of growth. I arrived with a narrow view of leadership—seeing it as confidence, authority, and control. I left with a broader, richer understanding.

I grew in four ways:

  1. Self-Awareness – I learned to see myself honestly: strengths to build on and blind spots to address.
  2. Resilience – I found that setbacks are not failures but springboards for growth.
  3. Collaboration – I experienced first-hand that diverse voices make stronger solutions.
  4. Vision – I began to look beyond immediate tasks to the bigger picture of impact.

As Beryl reminded us, – Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another. That idea has become my personal definition of leadership.

“Leadership is not a title we wear—it is an influence we share” –  is what I learned from this experience

Friendship and Fun: The Heartbeat of the Academy

What made the academy truly unforgettable was not just the theories or the exercises—it was the people. The friendships formed during those days gave the programme its heartbeat. We cheered each other on, celebrated small victories, and shared laughter that lightened even the most serious moments.

One of the best lessons I learned was that fun is not the opposite of leadership; it is part of it. Laughter builds trust, and trust builds teams. The bonds we formed made the learning richer, the challenges lighter, and the experience unforgettable.

Learning by Doing: Academic Reflection

From an academic perspective, the academy mirrored Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (1984):

  • Concrete Experience: ice breakers, talks, coaching, and the verbal pitch.
  • Reflective Observation: thinking about what worked and what didn’t.
  • Abstract Conceptualisation: connecting experiences to theories like servant leadership and transformational leadership.
  • Active Experimentation: applying insights in new contexts.

This cycle ensured that every activity was not just an event but a lesson embedded in theory and practice.

A Lasting Legacy

Looking back, the Leadership Academy has left a permanent imprint on me. It was not just about learning to lead—it was about learning to grow, to connect, and to inspire. I entered as a student eager for skills, but I left as a developing leader with purpose, confidence, and vision.

The experience confirmed for me that leadership is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey of listening, learning, and lifting others along the way.

As John C. Maxwell beautifully put it: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Thanks to this academy, I now feel more ready to do just that.

Closing Thoughts

If I could describe the Swansea University Leadership Academy in one sentence, it would be this: It was not a programme, but a transformation—filled with laughter, lessons, and leadership that will guide me for years to come.

To Beryl Mansel, thank you for your wisdom and encouragement. To my coaches, thank you for holding up the mirror when I needed it most. And to my fellow participants, thank you for the laughter, the energy, and the friendships that made this journey unforgettable.

As I move forward, I do so with gratitude, courage, and a pocket full of ice-breakers—because you never know when a fun fact might just spark the next great collaboration.

“The Swansea Leadership Academy didn’t just teach me how to lead—it showed me why leadership matters.”

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

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.

From Self-doubt to Self-belief: My journey into leadership by Cerys Jones

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From Self-doubt to Self-belief: My journey into leadership

I completed my A-levels in the summer of 2023, I remember going to pick up my results with my mum and dad, hoping I had done enough to secure a spot on the course I so desperately wanted to begin. Later that day I received an email from Swansea University saying that I had secured a place to study Children’s nursing. I remember feeling overwhelmed with happiness and excitement to embark on my new adventure. Despite the excitement of starting this new chapter, feelings of impostor syndrome crept in. 

What if I am too inexperienced to handle the responsibility? What if I don’t fit into the healthcare environment? What if I don’t ‘make a difference’ like I’m supposed to? Self-doubt undermined my confidence; however, I knew this was the path I was meant to take. My mum and dad are huge role models of mine and my biggest supporters. My Mum qualified as a mental health nurse in 2024, while my Dad currently works as an EPRR manager for Swansea Bay Health Board, having spent most of his career as a paramedic in the Welsh Ambulance Service. Watching their hard work and dedication growing up has profoundly influenced me and shaped me into the compassionate and ambitious person I am today. Surely this is what I am meant to do? 

My new adventure began on the 18th of September 2023, my 19th birthday. Shortly after starting the course, I was introduced to Beryl Mansel, who presented a lecture on the Student Leadership Academy. I was immediately captivated by her approach to leadership, which emphasised that it is not necessarily about being in a position of authority, but rather about guiding others, serving as a role model, and demonstrating kindness. But what did I know about leadership? Beryl spoke a lot about compassionate leadership, explaining that compassionate leaders lead with respect for their colleagues, empathy, and are active listeners. Beryl spoke about compassionate leaders having emotional intelligence. I began to reflect on whether my past experiences, like being head girl at comprehensive school, or my continued dedication to netball since childhood, could be considered examples of leadership. Perhaps I already had the qualities of a leader all along, without even realising? 

A few months later, to my surprise and excitement, I received an email notifying me that I had been selected as a successful applicant and had secured a place on the student leadership academy. The conference was held on the 9th and 10th of March, 2024. There were students from various health professions, and it was insightful to talk to other students studying for different courses, all with a shared interest in leadership. The conference welcomed guest speakers who spoke about their personal leadership journeys. I found these people to be truly inspiring, and I loved listening to their unique paths that led them into leadership. I was particularly captivated by Dr Sarah Tobin’s talk on the importance of compassionate leadership. She emphasised that compassion should be a priority in every aspect of our work as nurses, which felt particularly important to me. She emphasised the importance of kindness, not only with patients but also with our team to create a supportive environment. I left the conference feeling motivated by such inspiring people, hoping to become a leader in the future. 

At the conference, Beryl encouraged us to apply for the Council of Deans of Health’s National leadership programme, named #150 leaders. This programme was an incredible opportunity that offered leadership development through role-modelling, networking, reflection and coaching. I considered applying for some time, but felt hesitant as I had less to offer compared to more experienced applicants. Nevertheless, I applied with what I did have- ambition, courage and a strong desire to grow and better myself. 

A few months later, I received an email to say I had secured a place on the national leadership programme. I could not believe they had selected me to take part in such a prestigious programme. I was over the moon and felt so lucky to be given this opportunity. The event took place in Manchester on September 19th. Embracing this newfound independence and the idea of spending two days away from home, surrounded by unfamiliar faces felt daunting. However, the moment I walked in, I felt totally relaxed and welcomed by everyone. The conference was held over two days, the structure of the programme was very similar to the leadership academy I had attended at University. Guest speakers from many different professions came to speak to us about their leadership journey, while encouraging us to see ourselves as future leaders too. We also worked together in groups to pitch an idea for a new project, which really challenged me to think creatively. The #150 leaders programme was an immensely valuable experience that encouraged me to step beyond my comfort zone and had a profound impact on my confidence. From the many experiences I have gained throughout my leadership journey so far, the most consistent message I remind myself of is to embrace every opportunity and just go for it!

When I began my nursing journey at Swansea University, I made a promise to myself that I would take every opportunity that came my way. I will soon be reaching the end of my second year as a student paediatric nurse, and I have kept that promise to myself. Swansea University has offered me a range of incredible experiences that have truly enriched my student experience and provided me with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Last summer, I took part in a summer abroad programme, where I spent two weeks volunteering at a marine and wildlife programme in Sri Lanka. This was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had, and I have memories that will last a lifetime. This year, I plan to take part in the programme again and visit Nepal on a community development programme. If someone had told me in the summer of 2023 that I would put myself forward for all these opportunities, I would have found it hard to believe. I have gained so much confidence during my time as a student, but I would have never discovered what I was truly capable of if I hadn’t taken the first step and tried. 

Throughout my leadership journey, I have been fortunate to be guided by coaches who have provided support in shaping my personal development as a leader. As part of the Council of Deans #150 leaders programme, we were encouraged to set up an individual project to support our peers or future students in our field of practice. This experience has provided me with the opportunity to lead a project of my own, where I will deliver a presentation to younger students at my former comprehensive school. I aim to share my experience as a student paediatric nurse and hopefully spark some interest, while addressing any questions or concerns they may have. I hope to inspire these younger students in the same way I have been inspired by the remarkable leaders I have encountered, and show them that they can achieve anything by embracing opportunities. 

As I move forward into my career as a paediatric nurse, I want to continue my leadership journey and develop skills by taking every opportunity. Upon reflection, I have come to realise that the most challenging part of self-growth is making the initial decision to try and just go for it! I am excited to see where my leadership journey will take me. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Beryl and the Student Leadership Team at Swansea University. I would like to thank Felix and all the team at the Council of Deans of Health’s Student Leadership Programme for their continued support and encouragement. I would also like to thank every student who took part in the Student Leadership Programme.

Changing “I can’t do this” to “I will try”, my SLA journey

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by Jessica Davies

I have never considered myself a leader, nor thought I had the skills to become one. Does this sound familiar?. I know many people, including myself, to have thoughts like this during university, no matter what healthcare profession or degree they complete! That’s because being a leader can seem daunting and scary, but it doesn’t have to be! The Student Leadership programme helped me to realise that anyone can become a leader with the right help, and here is how I did it.

I have wanted to be a nurse from a very young age, and I have had the privilege of being surrounded by all things medical, with my father being a paramedic. At the tender age of five, he encouraged me to join St John Cymru, where I would spend the next eleven years of my life learning first aid, competing internationally in South Africa, representing Wales as a team lead for the international cadet competition (ICC) and even met a famous lady…. some would even say royal. During this time, I also experienced the loss of my grandad in 2012 due to cancer and witnessed my niece be admitted to hospital with septic arthritis at the age of two. Although these times in my life were difficult, observing the care provided by the nurses on the wards inspired me to become like them – compassionate, caring and, as I would later find out, confident. With these experiences and passion in my stride, I applied to study adult nursing in 2022. I was accepted to Swansea University, kickstarting my way into nursing…and my way to becoming a leader.

My sister and I after winning the national first aid competition

Myself giving ‘handover’ to the designated paramedic for the scenario in the ICC in South Africa

Myself meeting Princess Anne

During my first year at university, I was informed of the Student Leadership programme during a lecture. Although I didn’t know what to expect, I decided to try my luck and apply, not expecting to be accepted. However, a short while later, I received an email congratulating me on my acceptance into the programme, and I couldn’t have been happier , whilst also being a little scared!

The first part of the programme took place on the 9th and 10th of March, and the moment I stepped into the room, I felt calm and comfortable, as if all my nerves had disappeared. I was surprised to see that there were not only child, adult, and mental health nurses but also paramedics, neurophysiologists, occupational therapists, and midwifery students in attendance. I found this helpful during the programme as it allowed us to bond and understand each other’s profession and how leadership can benefit us all! I also found we could help each other by working together and encouraging one another due to how challenging our courses can be – a level of understanding helped each of us. After some introductions, we got onto the central part of the programme, where we gained a sense of what it means to be a leader, how this benefits us, our colleagues and patients alike and even had the opportunity to listen to some fantastic talks from previous SLA attendees and even senior members within healthcare such as the Chief Executive Officer for the Welsh Ambulance (NHS) trust.

Out of everything taught, in my opinion, Emotional Intelligence was the most exciting and surprising aspect of being a good leader. I knew emotions were important, but I never fully understood their impact on leadership and how simple changes to an attitude can change a situation immensely! Emotional intelligence allows people to understand feelings, goals, intentions, responses, and behaviours while understanding others and their feelings. My favourite way to see this is through changes in attitudes and beliefs. We were given a booklet with simple changes in thoughts that can change someone’s attitude and even a situation, and, as someone who struggles with this, the booklet has been so helpful!

Ten habits of emotionally intelligent people from our workbook

Another aspect of the SLA was the coaching scheme, where we were paired with senior members of healthcare, who guided us through learning about leadership and shared their experiences to guide us further. I was paired with a lovely woman, the Chief Nursing Officer for the Welsh Government. We first met over Zoom, and I was pleased to see how kind, pleasant and friendly she was; it made me know I was in good hands for the next few months of our journey together. Although we didn’t meet often, she helped me further expand my understanding of leadership and how I had been doing it for a long time! I was a leader at St John Cymru, especially when competing. I had been emotionally intelligent for a while as I had become very aware of how I verbalised my thoughts and considered other people’s feelings and opinions. Realising this made me feel so much more confident, knowing I could do things like this, no matter what I had previously thought.

Being a part of the SLA has honestly been one of the best things I could have done at university. I never thought of myself as a leader, nor did I think I could become one. The SLA taught me that with some help, being a leader doesn’t have to be complicated or daunting; it can be fun. Applying what I have learned to placement has also been beneficial, as I now have more confidence in my ability to work the best I can and provide the best care I can for my patients.

In a few months, I will be in my final year of nursing, and if I’ve learned anything, don’t be afraid to try. Try to learn new things, participate in new things, and take part in the SLA if you have the opportunity. I promise you will never regret that choice.