Aspiring Leaders Programme: What it is & how alumni are transforming their communities

Hello, I’m Liz King, the Programme Lead for the Aspiring Leaders Programme (ALP). ALP is a unique programme that, we at Brathay, have run for 14 years. It’s a programme that we are very proud and excited about.

ALP grew out of the need to develop leadership capability within the charitable sector in Cumbria and North Lancashire. The programme is fully funded by some very generous organisations, that believe in ALP’s purpose and want to help support people that might not have otherwise been able to access a programme of this nature and depth.

Today, over a decade later, the aim remains the same. Almost 60 people from Cumbria or North Lancashire have graduated across the four programmes, all of them bringing key learning back to their community-focused organisations. Alumni have gone on to some incredible senior roles, sit on the ALP steering group and continue to support Brathay and ALP. I feel that this speaks volumes of the programme’s impact and legacy.

The fifth ALP has just begun, now being run as an apprenticeship, but still in partnership with the University of Cumbria. We have individuals from across a range of ages, backgrounds and organisations ready to embark on the programme that blends academia, personal development and dedicated mentoring.

I look forward to you meeting some of the ALP participants of both past and present in Brathay Buzz. They will share how the programme is progressing, and how they are using the knowledge gained to take back to their workplace to positively impact their communities.

ALP would not be possible without the backing of generous funders: Francis C Scott Trust, Sir John Fisher Foundation, Rathbones, David Snowdon Trust, Cumbria Community Foundation.

Where are ALP Alumni Now?

Jade Clifford

"Since graduating from ALP in 2024, I’ve been developing new projects and stepping into leadership roles that I once hesitated to take on. The programme has truly changed my life—it’s given me the confidence to pursue my ideas and use the transferable skills I learnt along the way to bring them to reality. I continue to work with a wellbeing charity in Cumbria, where I focus on creating impactful initiatives.

ALP helped me build stronger connections with like-minded people in my community and beyond, forming a supportive network that inspires me daily. It’s also given me the courage to take on challenges with a positive mindset, like navigating complex team dynamics or launching community-led programmes. I’ve even encouraged others to join me in fostering resilience. ALP has been the foundation of my personal and professional transformation, and I’m excited about the journey ahead."

Scott Wilson

"While completing ALP I was able to build confidence in myself and this progress was noticed by myself, my host organisation and my peers. I am now an alumni representative for the ALP steering group aiming to help ALP participants, present and future get the best from what was and hopefully will continue to be a fantastic opportunity for Cumbria."

Jade Kieft

"I knew when I started ALP that I would learn about leadership theories, and how the third sector operates, but what I wasn’t prepared for was how much I would learn about myself. 

Before the course all the areas of my life felt separate - the colleague, the parent, friend etc., but by bringing professional and personal development together through the Brathay Trust activities it’s allowed me to understand and see myself as ‘a whole person’. This self-awareness has made a huge difference to all aspects of my life. As I build skills and knowledge in one area I understand how they are transferable to other situations, maximising the benefits for myself, my work, and those around me. 

It gave me the confidence to embrace new challenges outside of my comfort zone. Since ALP I have actively sought out and taken on opportunities which have allowed me to progress personally and professionally. I have a job I love which allows me to use and develop a wide range of my skills- working for the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum as a Participation Officer, supporting care experienced young people to have their voices heard, and influence positive practice and policy across the country. I also sit on the steering group for Brighter Futures, a project providing education and employment support to care experienced young people across Cumbria.

My time with Brathay Trust was such a unique experience for me - I never felt like I had to prove my worth once. Instead, they gave me a chance to prove to myself that I am capable of more than I thought. Which is more powerful than anything else. Because somebody telling you that you can or can’t do something doesn’t mean anything - it’s about what you believe yourself capable of that makes a difference. Brathay Trust has both believed in me and helped me believe in myself."