Learning to Lead Together: Reflections from a Joined Up Institute Fellow

The Joined Up Institute is UK Youth’s pilot programme in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, bringing together professionals from across sectors who work with young people to explore a more connected approach to local leadership. By creating space for collaboration across services and disciplines, the programme aims to strengthen how communities work together to support young people and empower practitioners to lead change.

So far, Fellows have come together for two in-person gatherings, alongside smaller Communities of Practice exploring key challenges identified by the wider group. A number of Fellows have also stepped forward to form the Amplify group, helping to lead these conversations and shape the remainder of the programme.

One of those Fellows is Wayne Allsop, Business Development Manager at Discovery Schools Academy Trust. In this blog, Wayne reflects on his journey through the programme so far — and how it has reshaped his thinking about leadership, collaboration and community change.

Being part of the Joined Up Institute has been one of the most energising and rewarding experiences of my professional life. Despite having worked with and for local communities throughout my 36-year career in the public sector being part of the Joined Up Institute has been a fantastic journey of learning, connection, and purpose.

As I look back on the programme so far, I’m struck by how much it has shaped not only my understanding of community leadership, but also my sense of responsibility to the people around me.

One of the standout aspects of the programme has been the opportunity to learn from others that are equally striving to make a tangible difference. The psychological safety created allowing individuals to share the challenges they’ve faced, and the creativity they’ve shown in overcoming them, has been both grounding and inspiring. The structure of the programme from the main events, the Amplify leadership group and the Communities of Practice have given me practical tools, but it’s the real stories and lived experiences that have left the deepest impression.

Another highlight of the programme has been the sense of community within the cohort itself. Being surrounded by people who share a passion for positive change creates an atmosphere that’s both motivating and supportive. That sense of collective purpose has been a powerful reminder that leadership is rarely a solo endeavour.

If I had to sum up my biggest learning, it would be that leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating the conditions to empower others to thrive. I’ve learned to listen actively, to ask better questions, and to recognise the value of collaboration that provides perspectives that differ from my own. The programme has enabled me to improve my emotional intelligence and pushed me to reflect on my own strengths and blind spots, and to understand how my actions can either open doors or unintentionally close them.

Throughout the programme I have recognised that traditional methods of creating change that involve ‘top down’ or ‘bottom up’ approaches lead to linear silos. I have discovered that a place-based leadership approach through building communities from the inside out is more effective. It avoids the silo effect and ensures a common purpose towards sustainable whole system changes.

I have also learnt that working in such uncertain, diverse and complex communities where approaches do not always yield their normal expected results we have to be flexible and adapt to the needs of our communities.

As I look to the future, my ambition is to take what I’ve learned and turn it into meaningful action. I want to help create spaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to shape their communities.

Opportunities like the Joined Up Institute don’t come along very often, and the programme has shown me what’s possible when people come together with intention and compassion. I really hope that we can build on the momentum, nurturing leaders who lead with empathy, courage, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.

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