Kirsten Malcolm

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

FoNS Learning Disability Scholar 2025

For me, it was such a wonderful and unique programme, it really challenged me, but challenged me in a good way. It gave me that space and time to reflect and reconnect with myself and with my own values as a nursing leader. It reminded me of the importance of leading with authenticity and compassion and courage. At the end of the week, I left feeling completely re-energised. I was ready to take on the world! I had a real renewed sense of purpose and a stronger belief in myself.

The programme was really creative, which again was completely out with my comfort zone but I really enjoyed it and I think it’s given me permission to use those creative skills and think a bit more creatively when I’m with the teams that I’m supporting.

The models that were introduced, were introduced in such an accessible way that it really helped. It wasn’t just PowerPoint presentations, there was time to think about how you would use those models in your own practice and reflect on what that would look like.

What was different about the residential programme for me was we were really embedded in the creative and experiential nature of it. I think the most valuable thing was how the facilitators created such a psychologically safe space from the very beginning. For me, that’s what made the biggest difference because it really encouraged honest reflection and genuine connection.

Since the residential programme, I have found myself using a lot of the skills and approaches that we used during that residential programme, particularly when I’m facilitating training, or I’m supporting others. It’s really helped me to see team members as individuals first and helped me to really try to connect with people on a people basis. I feel more confident now to be able to take that pause and to reflect with people and I think that’s helped me to have more courageous conversations.

I left the programme with new tools and insights and a deeper understanding of how to lead. People are noticing the difference, they are saying to me that I seem different since I came back. It’s like there’s that light again, which I think was going out a wee bit; it’s definitely re-energised me.

What’s next?

I definitely want to do more though I’m just not sure what that looks like yet. It’s quite an exciting time. I enjoy working with teams and developing staff. We’ve just recruited 19 or so newly qualified nurses. I’m going to put on a two-week induction for them. It’s going to be really nice to spend that time with them to really connect with them at the very beginning of their career and then follow them throughout. It’s really lovely to see people developing in the service.