Client: West Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Format: Immersive in-person 3-part programme
Scale: 4 cohorts — Cohorts 1 and 2 complete, Cohorts 3 and 4 planned for 2026

The Challenge

West Hertfordshire NHS Trust wanted to create a programme for their staff that would develop leadership and career development possibilities — with a particular focus on improving diversity and building confidence for participants across the organisation.

What WonderIf Delivered

Susie Edwards designed Breaking Boundaries — an immersive, in-person three-part leadership programme exploring four interconnected themes:

Leadership Identity— helping participants understand how they lead and how they want to lead
Influence and Advocacy — building the skills and confidence to speak up and create change
Cultural Intelligence — developing awareness of difference and how to work across it
Creating and Building Productive Relationships — the foundations of effective leadership in any environment

The programme was designed specifically to improve diversity and build confidence for participants — creating a space where people could explore the nuances of leadership beyond roles and hierarchies, and connect with the wisdom and lived experience of colleagues across the system.

The Impact

Four cohorts were commissioned. Cohorts 1 and 2 are now complete. Cohorts 3 and 4 are planned for 2026 — a signal of the programme's impact and the Trust's commitment to continuing the work.

What Participants Said

"A huge thank you to Susie for helping us reconnect with ourselves, each other and the kind of leaders we aspire to be."
— Denise Ward, Staff Accommodation Manager, West Hertfordshire NHS Trust

"One thing the NHS does brilliantly and often quietly is developing its human capital. On Wednesday I stepped away from regular duties to participate in Breaking Boundaries facilitated by Susie Edwards. Susie is simply amazing — a ball of positive, palpable energy and I came away vibrating at a higher frequency. We set off on a journey of self-awareness and personal mastery. Through a series of reflective exercises and shared experiences, we explored the nuances of leadership beyond roles and hierarchies. There were several moments of clarity, and it was particularly enriching to learn from the lived realities and wisdom of colleagues across the system."
— Ugonna Onuoha, West Hertfordshire NHS Trust

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To find out more about bespoke leadership programmes for your NHS Trust or healthcare organisation, get in touch or visit https://www.wonderif.co.uk/leadership-development