Each October, nestled in the leafy surroundings of Windsor Great Park, we kick off our Leadership & Management postgraduate course with a residential at Cumberland Lodge.
The programme features warm-ups and information, talks from LHF board members, group work, a study skills session, a session with graduates of the course and more.
Outside of the learning there is also amazing catering, a quiz and optional fun activities such as the morning run/ walk, table tennis and pool. Last year a few brave students even entertained us in the (sound proofed) basement with some karaoke.
But the best thing each year is seeing a new cohort forming ready for the months ahead, and that’s why we continue to invest in this very special start to the course.
Stepping Away to Step Forward
The residential at Cumberland Lodge offers something that a one-day induction simply wouldn’t.
While the setting itself helps, with past participants describing the venue as “stunning”, the hospitality as “exceptional” and the overall experience as “seamlessly organised”, it is the time away and the space that really matter.
By creating distance from the busyness and demands of everyday work, the residential gives participants the chance to reconnect with themselves, and to begin building relationships with their peers and tutors.
That early sense of connection sets the tone for the year ahead.
Building relationships before the work begins
Every year when we ask participants what the best thing about the residential is, one theme often dominates: connection.
“Getting to know everyone”
“Meeting and bonding with my study peers”
“Having dedicated time to get know others on the course”
Participants speak about the opportunity to build relationships with fellow students, tutors and LHF staff in a relaxed and supportive environment. Several have reflected that they left feeling they already had a valuable network in place, something that would have been much harder to establish through a single-day induction. And perhaps most tellingly, every participant agreed that attending the residential helped them feel positive about the months ahead.
The next beginning starts here!
Recruitment is now underway for the 2026–2027 cohort.
If you are ready to invest in your leadership and join a community of peers committed to strengthening the homelessness and related sectors, we would love to hear from you.
To find out more about the course visit https://lhf.org.uk/leadership-course/
If you have questions or would like to discuss, please contact becky.rice@lhf.org.uk