Women in Health and Care: Thriving not Surviving

An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

Sam, will kick off the event by highlighting the day's focus and key themes. There will also be an opportunity to participate in an icebreaker activity and connect with fellow delegates.

Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network

Leaders from the health and social care sector will discuss the future of health and social care and its implications for women in the field. They will share personal stories and leadership journeys, highlighting the challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation.

Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board; and Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network

Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive Officer, NHS England

Samantha Jones OBE, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care

This inspiring session will also feature women leaders from the health and social care system sharing their personal stories and leadership journeys, including the challenges they've faced and how they overcame them. It’s a unique opportunity to gain insights, ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation.

Chair

Helen Buckingham, Chair, National Voices

Panellists 

Sharon Toora, Lead Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist, Essex Cardiothoracic Centre

Fiona Tearle, Head of Health Intergration, Herfordshire County Council 

Kerry McQuade, Director of Strategy, Planning and Transformation, North East Ambulance Service

An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

Choose one of the three breakout sessions to attend, focusing on your personal and professional development. If you're interested in more than one, the sessions will be repeated later in the day.

Breakout session 1 - Authentic leadership and tackling imposter syndrome 

This session offers inspiration on leading with authenticity and overcoming self-doubt that often holds professionals back. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and a proven track record in driving organisational change, Emily will share practical insights on building confidence, fostering trust and creating high-performing teams. Her passion for sustainability and commitment to positive change aim to empower attendees to embrace their true leadership styles and silence their inner critics. This session presents an opportunity to gain strategies that can transform leadership approaches.

Emily Evans, Deputy Chief Executive, Everyturn Mental Health

Breakout session 2 - Embedding compassionate cultures in health and care 

This interactive session will explore how leaders can cultivate environments that support wellbeing, resilience and growth for themselves and their teams. Participants will be guided through practical frameworks and real-world examples demonstrating how compassionate leadership and psychologically safe cultures can transform workplaces from survival mode into spaces where individuals truly thrive.

Amy Hobson, CEO and Co-founder, The Wellbeing Collective

Breakout session 3 - William Bridges Transition Model: Coping with change and transition

Change is inevitable, but how we navigate transitions defines our ability to thrive. In this interactive breakout session, participants will explore William Bridges’ Transition Model, which focuses not just on external change but on the internal psychological journey that accompanies it. You will gain valuable insights into navigating change, learn practical strategies for managing transitions, and understand the psychological processes involved, empowering you to thrive in times of uncertainty.

Kathryn Grayling, Deputy Director of People, Culture and Improvement, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

Join health and wellbeing experts Nicky and Lucy as they share valuable insights and practical strategies for nurturing your own wellness while supporting others. Nicky will focus on fostering a culture where individuals thrive, not just survive, discussing how to build and sustain a healthy work-life balance amid the pressures of high-intensity roles. Lucy will draw on her experience leading a mental health charity to explore creating environments that prioritise resilience and growth. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for managing demands at home and in the workplace, ensuring that both personal and collective wellbeing is prioritised.

Nicky Lambert, Associate Professor, Department of Mental Health and Social Work

Lucy Hancock, CEO, Leeds Mind

Choose one of the three breakout sessions to attend, focusing on your personal and professional development.

Breakout session 1 - Authentic leadership and tackling imposter syndrome 

This session offers inspiration on leading with authenticity and overcoming self-doubt that often holds professionals back. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and a proven track record in driving organisational change, Emily will share practical insights on building confidence, fostering trust and creating high-performing teams. Her passion for sustainability and commitment to positive change aim to empower attendees to embrace their true leadership styles and silence their inner critics. This session presents an opportunity to gain strategies that can transform leadership approaches.

Emily Evans, Deputy Chief Executive, Everyturn Mental Health

Breakout session 2 - Embedding compassionate cultures in health and care 

This interactive session will explore how leaders can cultivate environments that support wellbeing, resilience and growth for themselves and their teams. Participants will be guided through practical frameworks and real-world examples demonstrating how compassionate leadership and psychologically safe cultures can transform workplaces from survival mode into spaces where individuals truly thrive.

Amy Hobson, CEO and Co-founder, The Wellbeing Collective

Breakout session 3 - William Bridges Transition Model: Coping with change and transition

Change is inevitable, but how we navigate transitions defines our ability to thrive. In this interactive breakout session, participants will explore William Bridges’ Transition Model, which focuses not just on external change but on the internal psychological journey that accompanies it. You will gain valuable insights into navigating change, learn practical strategies for managing transitions, and understand the psychological processes involved, empowering you to thrive in times of uncertainty.

Kathryn Grayling, Deputy Director of People, Culture and Improvement, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

Join graduate management trainees as they share their experiences and challenges in developing their careers within the NHS. They will offer insights on effective talent management from their perspective, discussing what a strong and sustainable talent pipeline looks like. They will also explore innovative approaches to fostering the development of healthcare professionals, ensuring a robust future for the sector.

Molly Tate, Graduate Management Trainee, Strategy & Partnerships 

Speaker 2 - Details available soon. 

Speaker 3 - Details available soon. 

Learn about key reflections from the day's theme and insights shared, including the vital role of compassionate leadership in high-pressure environments. This session will provide actionable strategies for leading with empathy and aims to inspire you to incorporate compassionate practices into your everyday roles, fostering a positive impact on workplace culture and team dynamics.

Andy Knox MBE, Medical Director, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

To close the day, Sam will share key takeaways, providing a powerful call to action for you to bring back to your organisation.

Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network