Leadership, Laughter, and a Weekend That Changed the Way WE LEAD
When a group of community leaders arrived in Brighton for the first-ever WE LEAD residential, none of us knew quite what to expect. We’d all stepped away from our teams, our projects, and the endless to-do lists that come with leading in our communities. Some of us came straight from our day jobs, some had travelled for many hours, and all of us felt a twinge of guilt for leaving the work behind, but for one sunny weekend by the sea, we finally pressed pause.
Brighton became more than a seaside get a way, it became a place to breathe, to learn, and to laugh - a space where leadership felt human again.
WE LEAD, part of The Phoenix Way’s Community Connect programme, isn’t a conference or a dry training session. It’s a weekend designed to step back, recharge, and look at leadership differently. For three days, we swapped stories, shared hard-earned lessons, and found new energy for the work we love.
Why WE LEAD Matters
Leading in community spaces is a big ask. Most of us wear several hats at once - strategist, fundraiser, mentor, problem-solver - often on too little funding, with too little rest, and even less recognition.
WE LEAD was created as a response to that reality. It’s a pause button: a chance to reflect, reset, and rebuild the way we lead, together. It’s not about having all the answers - it’s about leaving with a stronger sense of purpose, courage, and connection.
What We Took Away
If we had to sum up the weekend in three words, they might be: connection, courage, clarity.
Kalsoom Khanum from Aspire2Inspire put it perfectly:
“It’s been amazing to speak to so many organisations. We’re all going through the same challenges, and it’s powerful to share advice and uplift each other.”
For Aqub Nazir, also from Aspire2Inspire, the weekend was about resilience:
“I’m leaving with more perseverance, and the reminder that we’re all on this journey, just at different points. What matters is that we keep going.”
Mary Adekugbe from the Nigerian Community Association said the experience was energising:
“We met likeminded people, and the energy lifted us.”
And for Serena Johnson of Conscious Youth, the training opened up space to think strategically:
“We need to be better prepared for the challenges ahead. This weekend helped us see that.”
At the heart of WE LEAD were facilitators Femi Bola CBE and Derek Appau, who brought wisdom, honesty, and humour to every session. They created a space where being open didn’t mean being judged, and where growth didn’t feel like going it alone.
“If you want to grow, this is the weekend for you,” they told us. “You’ll be challenged, and you’ll step outside your comfort zone. But you’ll be surrounded by people just like you, and you won’t be alone.”
Participants and facilitators at We Lead, July 2025
Lessons to Carry Forward
WE LEAD didn’t promise quick fixes, but it gave us something better:
The tools to ask sharper questions.
The confidence to lead with both strength and care.
A community of peers to lean on long after the weekend ended.
We realised resilience isn’t built alone. It comes from sharing experiences honestly, learning from one another, and knowing there’s a network of people facing the same challenges, ready to back each other up.
And yes, we learned strategy—how to plan for change, stay financially ready, and communicate impact—but we also learned that growth can feel good.
What’s Next: Milton Keynes, September 2025
If you’re ready for a leadership experience that restores as much as it challenges, join us for the next WE LEAD residential in Milton Keynes.
Whether you’re holding a vision for change, leading from the front, or quietly keeping your community going, WE LEAD offers a rare chance to step back, reflect, and reconnect with why you started.
Spaces are limited. Don’t miss the chance to be part of something that could change the way you lead.
Register now here and let’s keep building together.
Participants and facilitators at We Lead Workshop, July 2025, at the University of Brighton
