Social Leaders West Wales

February 2026 - June 2026

A fully funded community leader programme designed to strengthen leadership across the vibrant communities of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Applications open Register your interest

Eligibility
Outcomes
Testimonials
Key dates
Application info
Programme elements
Our methods
FAQs
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Programme information

Social Leaders West Wales is designed to develop and strengthen leadership across the vibrant but often under-resourced communities of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. You might be leading in your community, your workplace, or through lived experience. If you’ve supported people, delivered projects, or advocated for change, you’re a leader and we’d love to hear from you.

Rooted in the region’s strong tradition of community-led action, the programme offers a powerful mix of in-person and online sessions to help 25 leaders with 3+ years experience grow their strategic confidence, navigate complexity, build their resilience and wellbeing, supporting them to sustain their work through challenge and opportunity. Participants will gain access to high-quality leadership learning and workshops tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in West Wales.

In-person programme sessions will be held in Carmarthen, providing a central and accessible hub for participants across the region. A two-night residential leadership retreat in Cardigan is also planned, allowing for focused reflection, deep connection and peer learning in a supportive and energising setting.

We are on a mission to democratise leadership by making development opportunities accessible to every social leader in the UK, working towards a fairer and more equitable society. As part of this commitment, we actively support leaders from diverse backgrounds and with lived experiences and will ensure our programme elements reflect this. We want to remove as many barriers as possible to support you to engage with this opportunity. If you, or a colleague, need any reasonable adjustments please email us.

This programme is certified by The Institute of Leadership and on completion of the programme participants will have access to the award-winning MyLeadership e-learning programme from The Institute of Leadership to enable their continued development. To learn more about this certificate click here.

Programme Info

Hybrid
Six days' commitment
Four month programme
Fully funded
In partnership with Cwmpas
Questions? Sign up to attend the free webinar here, we look forward to seeing you there!

Programme Outcomes

Become a Clore Social Fellow
Increased knowledge and skills to lead strategically and drive positive change
Greater confidence to navigate complex change
Renewed energy and resilience
Enhanced collaboration and networking
Gain a certification from the Institute of Leadership

With special thanks to the programme funder, Henry Smith Foundation, for the opportunity to deliver this free programme in West Wales. Along with becoming a Clore Social Fellow, participants will become part of the Henry Smith Foundation network - the network comprises individuals they have supported through leadership interventions.

Eligibility criteria

The budding leader

Designed for individuals with 3+ years of leadership experience who are ready to step into more strategic roles, preparing them to advance their leadership and elevate their impact in their communities. You might be leading in your community, your workplace, or through lived experience. If you've supported people, delivered projects, or advocated for change, whether in a full-time, part-time, paid, or voluntary capacity, then this programme is for you.

Passionate about social change

Your dedication to self-improvement to drive positive social change is vital, as it enhances your own capabilities while contributing to positive changes for the community and society as a whole.

Committed to diversity

We strongly encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, as we believe that fostering diversity and equity is essential for creating a more just and inclusive society.

Lived experience

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of the issues we’re tackling, as well as those from marginalised, minoritised, or underrepresented backgrounds.

What our previous participants say

"I have been more willing to speak up on behalf of the community I work with - most recently with a local MP and member of Council Executive Board. Taking an opportunity I might have shied away from previously."

Previous programme participant

"Everything is very well organised. It is great to meet and work with other people in such a wonderful atmosphere."

Previous participant

"It has given me more confidence in my leadership…this will benefit my organisation as I feel I can contribute more to discussions and decisions."

Previous programme participant

Key dates

Apply now

Applications are now open and you have until Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 11:59pm to apply. If you are not ready to apply, please register your interest to receive reminders before the application deadline.

Moderation decision

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by Monday 19 January 2026 at 11:59pm.

Programme start

The programme will start Thursday 12 February 2026. You can find an overview of programme elements below.

Outcomes

Throughout the programme you will be guided to develop the skills essential for any social purpose leader, resulting in strengthening your capabilities as an inspirational communicator, empowering enabler, courageous changemaker, focused strategist, passionate advocate and generous collaborator.

You will learn how and what these skills and behaviours look like in action, focus on utilising your existing strengths and developing your areas of improvement and enhance your ability to work with and grow others. Throughout the programme you will receive peer-to-peer support and build a network of community leaders, for long-term growth and guidance.

The community leader programme is designed to ensure you leave with an increased confidence in your ability to lead, clarity on your purpose and leadership style and with the skills and knowledge to effectively work with others - ultimately fast-tracking your growth and impact as a social leader.

Click on the buttons below to learn more about the expected programme outcomes.

Increased effectiveness and performance

You'll become more effective in your role, learning how to enable high performance within your projects and teams. This programme demonstrates how to inspire, resolve conflict, and set effective goals for truly outstanding work. You'll be able to position yourself as a trusted team leader, with a clear, concise vision.

Develop solutions to real-world issues

Throughout the programme you'll be supported to embrace and work on the challenges your project or organisation is currently facing, developing practical, long-lasting solutions that you can take back into the workplace.

Build relevant and effective leadership skills

Discover and develop the fundamental skills and behaviours that can ensure success at a grassroots, community level. Get to know yourself, your unique purpose and the impact you have on others better, to improve communication skills and relationships, and prevent burnout and anxiety for yourself and your team. Through these skills and a supportive network, the programme will empower you to develop revitalised, agile and resilient leadership, to manage through challenging social situations and crises.

Receive peer-to-peer support

Meet other community leaders and develop a strengthened network of supportive peers. Investing in relationships with your cohort enables you to create a joined-up vision that can inspire and motivate others. Past cohorts have found the support they receive from their peers during and after the programme essential in their journey to becoming a better leader. We encourage the development of strong relations with your peers for long-lasting advice, guidance and friendship.

Learn to lead with confidence

The programme will boost your confidence in your leadership abilities, with you gaining the know-how and resilience to navigate the pressures, complexity, and uncertainty that social leaders face throughout their careers. In addition, through self-reflection, seeking feedback and exposure to diverse leaders, you'll gain valuable insights into your style, strengths and areas for growth. By the end of the programme, you will be more self-assured and authentic in your leadership.

Addressing leadership burnout

You'll be supported with tools and strategies for building resilience and fostering wellbeing, which will help with managing stress, preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, ensuring you can lead with vitality and sustainability. By focusing on personal resilience and wellbeing, you'll improve your approach to work and enhance your ability to support and inspire your team and community, leaving the programme as an effective leader ready to make a lasting positive impact.

Programme elements

The programme will offer access to a variety of leadership development initiatives designed to help participants build the skills, knowledge and networks needed to lead social change effectively.

Click on the buttons below to learn more about each element.

Discover your potential

During four weeks at the start of the programme, you will explore the fundamentals of leadership, which will support you to be more effective and equip you with the skills and confidence to take on a more significant role. You will finish the programme with a long-term Leadership Development Plan, ready to make the most of the other elements of the programme. For more information on Discover, please click here.

Leadership workshops

A series of structured workshops, delivered by expert facilitators, covering key leadership skills and sector-specific challenges. Topics covered include: strategic leadership, resilience and wellbeing, collaboration and collective impact, and governance.

Residential Leadership Retreat in West Wales

Over three days and two nights, you will be guided through a series of workshops and activities that strengthen cohort connections, explore some of the key challenges faced by the sector, work with your peers on a real-world issue in a Start Something Good hackathon, and learn more about yourself through Lumina Spark psychometric self-portrait. You will have the opportunity to hear directly from experienced social leaders, including their key lessons, failures and tips they learnt along the way. Through these stories, you will be learning key leadership lessons whilst also growing your network.

Professional Coaching

Through three one-to-one sessions, you will work with a professional coach to tap into your talent and overcome barriers that might be holding you back, helping to increase your resilience, efficiency and performance - and get one step closer to achieving your professional and personal goals.

Action Learning Sets

With a small group of peers, you will regularly come together in an inclusive and confidential space to aid reflective learning. You will present challenges you face and, with the support of the Set, deepen your understanding of the situation and possible solutions, finding the answers within yourself and through learning from one another. As well as providing practical solutions to real-world issues, Action Learning promotes a culture of coaching; supporting you to refine your coaching skills, which can then be applied within your organisation.

Start Something Good Hackathon

A dynamic, expertly facilitated session where you come together in groups to tackle real-world challenges facing your organisations and communities. The hackathon provides a safe, creative space to test ideas, explore opportunities and generate practical solutions. By working intensively with your peers, you will strengthen problem-solving skills, grow your networks and experience the power of collaborative leadership in action.

Lumina Spark

You’ll explore your strengths and leadership style through a personalised profile, helping you better understand how you lead and how to support others, through Lumina Spark psychometric self-portrait. This powerful personality profiling system provides a unique portrait of who you are, helping you increase your self-awareness, reveal hidden potential and help you understand how you behave under pressure. This includes a full-day training session.

Application information

Programme fee: This programme is funded by our partner Henry Smith Foundation which aims to use its resources to help people and communities in times of need and to bring about positive change. The funding priorities lie in a commitment to strengthen West Wales' communities through impactful leadership development.

Webinar: Join us for our webinar on Monday 3 November 12.30 – 1.00pm or Thursday 11 December 12.30 – 1.00pm , to find out more about the programme, meet the team and have your questions answered. You can register for a place for the webinar here, we look forward to seeing you there!

Our methods

The programme learning will be guided by Clore Social Leadership’s Social Capabilities Framework and Leadership Development Model. Using our Leadership Development Model (below), you will learn how and what these skills and behaviours look like in action, where your strengths and areas of improvement lie, and how you can develop and encourage them in yourselves and others. Using our Social Capabilities Framework (below), you will be guided to develop inspirational, empowering, courageous, focused, passionate and generous leadership capabilities - qualities essential to any effective leader.

Social Leadership Capabilities Framework

Being a social and ethical leader require certain capabilities. The Social Leadership Capabilities Framework outlines the attributes, behaviours and skills required for successful social sector leadership. The Capabilities Framework illustrates how and what these skills and behaviours look like in action. Having a framework enables leaders to reflect and assess their current skills. It empowers them to identify leadership gaps and plan their personal and professional development.