Co-designing and delivering a Future Leaders programme for the VCSE sector
The context
10GM wanted to invest in the next generation of leaders across the VCSE sector. The ambition was not simply to deliver a standard leadership course, but to create something rooted in the real experiences of people working in the sector - a programme that would build confidence, strengthen leadership capability, and support greater collaboration across organisations.
To achieve this, the programme needed to reflect the realities participants were navigating day to day, from limited resources and complex systems to the personal challenges of stepping into leadership roles.
We were commissioned to co-design and deliver that programme.
Our approach and what we delivered
We began with a co-design session in Manchester, bringing together 20 Future Leaders from different VCSE organisations.
This session focused on helping participants reflect on their current skills, knowledge and mindset, and to identify what might be holding them back in their journey towards leadership. This included themes such as confidence, imposter syndrome, navigating complexity and influencing within and across organisations.
Using these insights, we designed a bespoke six-session programme tailored to the group’s needs.
The programme combined leadership theory, practical tools and deep reflection, covering areas such as:
leadership identity and style
confidence and imposter syndrome
strategic thinking and direction
influencing and communication
public speaking and presence
leading change within complex systems
Sessions were highly interactive, blending group discussion, experiential exercises and peer learning. As the programme progressed, we introduced a mentoring circle model, enabling participants to support each other with real challenges and build stronger relationships across organisations.
Alongside the in-person sessions, we created an online learning space where participants could share ideas, resources and opportunities, helping to extend learning between sessions and strengthen the network over time.
What made it work
A defining feature of the programme was the co-design approach.
By involving participants from the outset, the content was grounded in real challenges rather than assumed needs. This created immediate relevance and strong engagement from the group.
The emphasis on relationships was equally important. Participants consistently highlighted the value of connecting with others across the sector, sharing experiences and supporting each other in a trusted environment.
The blend of reflection and practical application also played a key role. Participants were not only encouraged to think differently about leadership, but to test new approaches in their roles between sessions.
The impact
The feedback was incredibly strong, with an average confidence increase of 12.5 points and a Net Promoter Score of 88.
Participants reported:
increased confidence in stepping into leadership roles
greater willingness to put themselves forward for opportunities
improved ability to connect and collaborate across organisations
stronger understanding of leadership in the context of the VCSE sector
There were also clear behavioural shifts. Participants described taking on more responsibility, delegating more effectively, building new relationships and actively increasing their visibility within their organisations and networks.
The programme also strengthened connections across the cohort, with participants continuing to support each other beyond the sessions through shared resources, co-working and ongoing conversations.
For some, the impact was described as transformational, with one participant noting that the programme had “changed my life”.
Participant feedback
There was superb energy and sharing in the room for all of the sessions, and feedback included:
I see leadership skills in everything I do now.
I see that other people here are amazing, and it lets me see my own amazing!
I’m now using Linkedin and really putting myself out more. Sharing, celebrating others and it’s had a real impact. I’m connecting with people that are more senior, and from it I was invited to a Women in Business event that led directly to me getting sponsorship,
I’m delegating more – my team applied for a prize and I was completely hands off.
My confidence has gone up. I put myself forward for more opportunities.
I’m taking more leadership roles at work and ownership of tasks from my manager. And I’m teaching a new colleague.
Why it matters
The VCSE sector relies on strong, values-driven leadership, yet many emerging leaders have limited access to structured development opportunities.
This programme demonstrated what is possible when leadership development is rooted in lived experience, shaped by participants and delivered in a way that builds both capability and connection.
It not only supported individual growth, but also contributed to a stronger, more connected sector.
Interested in doing something similar?
If you are looking to develop future leaders in your organisation or across a wider network, this is exactly the kind of work we do.
We design and deliver programmes that are grounded in real experiences, shaped with participants, and focused on building both individual capability and collective strength.
If you would like to explore what that could look like in your context, we would be very happy to have a conversation.
