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The South West Academic Health Science Network

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Our Spread Academy equips teams and leaders in health and care with the skills they need to unleash large-scale change.

The Spread Academy is an immersive training run by the South West Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN) in collaboration with the renowned US-based social change agency Billions Institute, global leaders in large-scale change.

At the Spread Academy, you will learn a practical framework for designing and leading large-scale change that the Billions Institute call the Model for Unleashing.

Strategic planning with a solid dose of personal development

Through a series of experiential exercises, you and your team will be supported in applying the Model for Unleashing to your work. This will include establishing your approach to spread through a range of highly interactive and reflective themes, including:

  • Setting clear and compelling aims to match your ambitions for change
  • Planning for spread and developing 90-day work plans
  • Expanding your methods and tools to enable change
  • Using data in a way which propels spread
  • Understanding and managing the barriers to spread
  • Working positively in teams and openly with other people

This programme is for enthusiastic people with a project ready to spread. To help you practically do this, the Spread Academy uses interactive presentations and collaborative group work. Delegates learn techniques for spreading and scaling change and begin the personal transformation they need to see it through, leaving with a viable plan of next steps to measure along their journey.

Following the training, participants benefit from face-to-face or online mentoring with Spread Academy Fellows, and monthly online group coaching from Spread Academy course leader Becky Margiotta.

Bring your ambition, team and project to the Spread Academy

Our first Spread Academy, held in Spring 2019, saw over 80 health and care professionals come together to learn the skills and gain the confidence they need to make change on a large scale.

“I have more tools to draw on to support me and my team to achieve our aims.”

In Autumn 2019, we hosted a second successful academy commissioned by NHS England and Improvement for professionals working to deliver personalised care. The course brought together 20 project teams, all of whom went away enthused with practical plans on how to work together to spread.

“I feel enthusiastic and have renewed energy and look forward to seeing how much more we can achieve.”

Next virtual Spread Academy confirmed for Spring 2021

We are pleased to announce that our next Spread Academy virtual event, again in partnership with Billions Institute, is planned for 27-29 April 2021. The theme for this event is responding to Health Inequalities, exacerbated by COVID-19. For more information on the event, please click here. There are a mix of paid-for and bursary places available.

If you are a Project Lead and would like to apply to join the Spread Academy, please complete our application form. The deadline for applications is midnight 15 January 2021. As part of the selection process, all applicants will be invited to an online ‘Are you ready for Spread?’ session on 28 January 2021, where teams will be assessed on whether their project is ready to spread. If you have any questions or for further information please contact spreadacademy@swahsn.com.

Training leaders to unleash change

To spread innovation in health and care in the South West, we need leaders with the skills to unleash change.

Here the Billions Institute's Becky Margiotta and Joe McCannon reflect on the success of the first Spread Academy and discuss the personal transformation needed to make change on a large scale.