More than 120 of our nursing colleagues gathered at our Professional Development Conference this week in a day filled with energy, purpose, and a shared passion for personal and professional growth.
The goal was simple but powerful: to motivate and empower our colleagues to embrace development opportunities, forge new connections, and learn from each other’s journeys.
Our Senior Manager for Safer Staffing Shamine Hall opened the day which began with a practical workshop, where colleagues at different stages of their career came together to share experiences and skills. This session set the tone for the rest of the day, one of openness, shared wisdom and the power of learning from one another.
A particularly exciting moment came with the launch of our new LSCft Diaspora Networks, a new beginning for our organisation.
These networks are communities of colleagues from across the globe who work at the Trust. Their purpose is to create a safe, supportive space for individuals from similar cultural backgrounds to connect, exchange knowledge, and uplift one another during their professional journeys. We recognise that sometimes, the most meaningful support comes from peers who truly understand your lived experience.
Throughout the day, leaders at all levels shared powerful, emotional stories of their own growth. Not just career journeys, but testimonies of perseverance, self-belief, and transformation. The honesty and passion of the stories were a reminder that leadership is not born of titles, but instead of courage, resilience, and a commitment to continual learning. Their journeys inspired many in the room to believe in their own potential and to see every challenge as an opportunity to rise.
A group of phenomenal external speakers encouraged our colleagues. These were:
- Chen Shoko, Forensic Nurse Consultant at Mersey Care
- Dr Arnold Gangaidzo, CEO and Principal Dentist of Lancashire Smiles
- Simon Browes, Regional Director of the Royal College of Nursing
Each speaker echoed a common truth: leadership is not reserved for the few but is a path open to all. It is not shaped by where you come from, but by your passion, your values, and your willingness to grow. Their words reminded us that success is within reach for anyone ready to take the first step and keep going.
The conference closed with powerful words from our Professional Development Lead for Inclusion, Shingai Musuka, who reminded the room:
“Success doesn’t come by chance. It comes to those who are ready to work hard for it.”
Shingai added:
“The event was more than a day of development, instead it sparked a movement of empowerment, unity, and bold ambition. At LSCft, we believe in the potential of our people, and together, we are building a future where everyone is supported to lead, to grow, and to thrive.”
* A diaspora is a population that is scattered across regions which are separate from its geographic place of origin. The word is used in reference to people who identify with a specific geographic location but currently reside elsewhere.
