The Strive Leadership Programme supports Mersey Care leaders to grow with confidence, compassion and purpose. It’s about developing people who lead in ways that reflect our values, strengthen our culture and make a real difference for the people we serve.
Rooted in the Aspire principles, Strive helps leaders to be:
- Ambitious – for themselves, their teams and our communities
- Supportive – compassionate, connected and people focused
- Professional – role model high standards and accountability
- Inclusive – create belonging and value every voice
- Respectful – build trust, civility and psychological safety
- Empowering – enable others to lead, improve and innovate
Strive is for leaders who want to create meaningful change - shaping teams where people feel valued, grow together and deliver outstanding care.
Why Strive?
Strive equips our leaders to navigate today’s challenges with clarity, confidence and care. Through the programme, you will:
- Build resilience and emotional intelligence
- Strengthen inclusive behaviours that promote equity and belonging
- Lead teams through change with confidence
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement
- Make collaborative, transparent decisions
- Foster strong relationships and psychological safety
- Take accountability while empowering others to step forward.
Strive isn’t just a programme - it’s a leadership mindset that shapes how we show up for each other every day.
Who is Strive for?
Strive is ideal for colleagues who are:
- In operational or first line leadership roles
- Typically working at Bands 5 to 7
- Ready to develop their leadership identity and influence
- Passionate about improving culture, performance and experience.
Whether you’re new to leadership or looking to strengthen your impact, Strive offers practical tools you can use straight away in your role.
What you will gain
By completing Strive, you will gain:
- A clearer sense of purpose and who you are as a leader
- Greater resilience and emotional agility
- Stronger coaching, communication and collaboration skills
- Hands on experience leading real improvement
- A deeper understanding of inclusive and anti‑racist leadership
- Confidence to challenge, influence and empower others.
Strive leaders become catalysts for positive change across Mersey Care.
Want to join Strive?
We welcome leaders who are ready to grow, stretch and help shape the future of our services.
You’ll also need to complete a Training Needs Analysis, available here.
For more information, contact Leadership
Programme content
Strive combines practical learning, reflection and real world improvement. Participants will take part in:
You as a leader in Mersey Care
Explore who you are as a leader and how to live the CARES values in practice.
Continuous Improvement Project
Lead real improvement that makes a difference to your service and the people who use it.
Accredited Leading Empowered Organisations (LEO) programme
Develop confidence and practical leadership skills through a nationally recognised programme.
Deconstructing racism and operationalising solutions
Build the skills and confidence to lead inclusively, make equitable decisions and drive meaningful change.
Leading for performance
Create clarity, accountability and motivated, high performing teams.
