Springboard - the development programme especially for women.
What is Springboard?
The Springboard Programme is a national, personal and professional development programme designed especially for women. This programme helps women recognise their own potential and reach their goals and is run on an annual basis.
It helps women to look at ways in which they can prepare themselves for the opportunities in life and fulfil their potential in their careers and their lives in general.
The objectives of the programme are, to enable participants to value what they have and build on their strengths; to develop self-confidence to make things happen; to take more control of their lives (whatever that means to them); to develop assertiveness and to reduce stress and anxiety.
It is open to all women who are employed by the University of Exeter, full time or part-time. This is not a programme to be sent on, if as a manager or supervisor you think it would be beneficial for a member of your staff, suggest they have a look at this website and ask them to think about nominating themselves.
Why is Springboard women-only?
The programme is pro-women (not anti-men). The women-only aspect simply provides participants with the most conducive learning environment.
What will I have to do as part of Springboard?
The programme had three main ingredients, each as important as the other:
- Four one day workshops across three months designed to provide an opportunity to work in groups on a range of issues from assertiveness to identifying individual values
- A workbook which is an interactive development guide to review oneself, relationships or making things happen within a support environment
- Other women on the programme - networking is one fo the skills that Springboard encourages; it provides opportunities to meet new contacts, to receive and give support, encouragement and ideas
Each individual had her own reasons and agenda for the three months of the programme and these vary enormously. However their objectives cluster under four main areas: confidence, assertiveness and improved work and personal relationships, a sense of direction - what next? And taking greater control over their life.
Like most courses, the more you put in the more you will get out of it. Most people find that the workbook averages out to about three hours a week, but because of the nature of the exercises it is not easy to say that this is is only half and hour a day, or can be done all on a Sunday afternoon. Some areas are more important to you and you may find you want to spend longer than 3 hours one week and less the following week.
Find out more about Springboard and current dates.
What previous Springboard participants have said about the programme
- 'The Springboard course was fantastic! It enabled me to decide what I really want to do and then get on with doing it! Since finishing the course I have completed a City & Guilds in Photography and set up a studio in our spare room. When I am not working at the University I am busy taking black and white portraits of my toddler and her friends! There are many areas of my life that have also improved as a result of the course. Springboard also made me realise that I am not the only one who is struggling with what to aim for.'
- 'I really enjoyed the Springboard course, I feel I gained a lot from it and occasionally meet up with the members of my group for lunch. No end of my friends have commented and are still commenting on how assertive I have become since attending the Springboard course. I highly recommend it to everybody.'
- 'Springboard provided me with a structure within which to face issues which I would probably have avoided thinking about otherwise. I feel much more confident and clearer about my own values and aims.'
- 'It made me realise that I have a lot more to contribute than I actually do.'
- 'I've found confidence at work I didn't know I possessed.'
- 'I feel more positive and more valued.'
Useful links
The following links are recommended for useful information about issues highlighted within the Springboard courses:
Internal links
Springboard course information
External links
Equal Opportunities Commission
