Places available on women’s development programme

Applications for the Women’s Springboard Development Programme have reopened for the 2023 cohort.

The workshops, provided through People Development, offer women of all backgrounds, ages and stages of their life at the University the opportunity to increase their self-confidence, be more motivated and proactive and define clear goals. 

The deadline for applications is Monday 3 April. More information and the application form can be found on the Women’s Development section of the HR web pages. The application form requires a supporting statement from your line manager.

There are 30 places available and the organisers always look to recruit colleagues in a range of roles and stages of their career across the University.

After completing the Springboard programme, participants can go on to join the Women’s Springboard Network. The Network is a group of more than 100 women from across the University and is recognised as one of the six Diversity and Equality Networks as well as the University’s first Professional Development Network.

It meets termly and offers members the chance to continue learning about the Springboard key principles, develop personally and professionally to progress to new roles, and tap into a network of peer support with colleagues at Reading.

Please contact springboardnetwork@reading.ac.uk to join or visit the webpage for more information.  

‘Focus, confidence and connections’

We asked three women at the University who have completed the programme, and are part of the Springboard Network, to share their thoughts on the experience and how they benefited.

Louise Crompton, ISLI Short Courses Co-ordinator

I joined the first Springboard cohort and was relatively new the university so found the programme a great way of meeting other people who I would not normally be in contact with.

The course was invaluable for understanding my personal values and identifying my strengths and weaknesses, which gave me more focus and confidence in knowing how I wanted to progress.

I learnt a lot from my fellow Springboarders and the inspirational trainer and speakers and found the coaching aspects of the course really useful.

At the end of the course, you are part of a very supportive Network that you’re always able to connect with.

Janice Galvin, Campaigns Projects Officer, Fundraising

I signed up to Springboard as I wanted help. I felt like I was professionally stagnating whilst juggling impossible demands from a young family. I quickly realised I was not alone and that many lovely friendly women at UoR experience the same pressures.

The course made a big difference to me. Springboard gave me a safe space to explore my own personal values - to really understand what matters to me. The course helped me appreciate I had the ability to change my situation and it helped me set some manageable personal goals. It gave me a confidence boost too when I realised I was actually doing OK.

Change can be daunting, but Springboard gave me the tools to give things a go. I’ve made lots of small changes since attending.  In my professional life I’m now taking on more responsibilities whilst embracing a hybrid working style. With family life I’m much more protective of my own precious time and I find ways to do more of what I want. I’m also now far better at saying thanks, but no thanks. 

Springboard made me feel more valued by the university. It also helped me make some great connections to like-minded people, so I would encourage anyone at any stage of life to give it a go. 

George Randall, Examinations Manager (Systems)

The Springboard Network has been a huge highlight for me, hearing other member’s stories and how they dealt with challenges and opportunities.

I also had the chance to share my own story at an event and the process of preparing for the talk gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I have achieved and how far I have come since I did Springboard in 2014 - and my fellow Springboarders asked some very inciteful questions, reflecting the very supportive feel of the whole Network.

It is so rare in our work and personal life that we get the space and time to reflect and to plan – Springboard provides this space so I would highly recommend colleagues registering as their first step to seizing new opportunities!