HEY Confident Futures secures three more years of support for leaders across Hull and East Yorkshire

For six years, HEY Confident Futures has grown into more than a leadership programme, it has become a community. A place where leaders show up fully, breathe deeply, and connect honestly with others who understand the pressures and joys of leading in the voluntary and community sector.

We are beyond happy to share with you that Two Ridings has secured three more years of funding for HEY Confident Futures, safeguarding and expanding vital leadership support for charities, community groups and cultural organisations across Hull and East Yorkshire. Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund ensures this work not only continues, but grows, as we approach a decade of championing local voluntary and community sector leaders.

As a community foundation, we see firsthand the rising demand, shifting landscapes, and increasing pressure on resources. This funding means we can keep supporting leaders in the ways they say matter most: connection, confidence and care.

A collaborative and connected community

Over the past five years, the HEY Confident Futures network has expanded into a vibrant community of more than 550 leaders, with over 500 events delivered and 1,116 individuals supported. Leaders repeatedly describe the network as a space where they can show up “whole and authentic,” knowing it’s safe to be open about both challenges and successes.

At the heart of this community is the New to Leadership immersive programme. Now in its 5th year, fourteen emerging leaders are chosen to journey through the yearlong experience, following in the footsteps of 53 graduates who have stepped into leadership feeling more grounded, confident and equipped.

The wider offer supports leaders at every stage: entering leadership, growing within it and navigating senior roles. From Leading Confidently lunchtime learning sessions, to the Leadership Advocacy Network for global majority leaders, to sessions for neurodivergent leaders and parents who lead, HEY Confident Futures ensures the programme is tailored to a range of experiences nd identities within the VCSE sector.

All this work will continue in the next phase, with additional plans to expand coaching (which includes a partnership with Yorkshire Accord), introduce mentoring, and strengthen place‑based support in Goole and Withernsea.

Paula Bielby, who oversees the network, shared…

“We are delighted with the continued support from The National Lottery Community Fund. Leaders across charities and community groups play a vital role in our region and often face challenging situations. Over the years, we have seen the impact of the programme grow, as individuals grow in confidence, leading to increased effectiveness within their organisations, which in turn translates into increased impact within their communities. It is a privilege to walk alongside them as this develops.”

Celebrations and looking ahead

In July 2025, leaders from across Hull and East Yorkshire came together to celebrate five years of the programme. The gathering was full of pride, warmth and gratitude, a reflection of the real relationships built along the way. You can read about that celebration here (hyperlink)

Celia McKeon, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, reflected on the milestone…

“This continued funding for HEY Confident Futures is hugely significant for our sector. It is a powerful recognition of the critical role leadership plays in sustaining and strengthening our sector during times of unprecedented change.

She continued:

“With a network of more than 550 leaders, HEY Confident Futures continues to provide essential support, training and connections that enable organisations to thrive. In a landscape where funding pressures are rising, visionary leadership has never been more important.”

As demand grows and pressures increase, leaders need not only skills but space to think, connect, be vulnerable, ask for help, and grow alongside others who understand the weight of responsibility. The demand for services in our communities continues to rise; the importance of strong, visionary leadership has never been greater.

One leader who has been closely involved in this programme since its early days is Cecil.

Cecil Jones, Project Co-ordinator at Open Doors Project, said…

“HEY Confident Futures was a breakthrough for me. It helped me step forward with confidence and understand the kind of leader I want to be. The New to Leadership programme came at the right time and gave me the tools to grow and believe in what I can achieve. As a member of the Leadership Advocacy Network I work alongside other Global Majority leaders to challenge barriers, strengthen our voice and support our communities. The programme has helped me step into leadership with purpose and clarity, and I am committed to using what I have learned to support others on their journey.”

Viv Blackledge from Cornerhouse (Yorkshire) also shared her experience with the network…

It’s hard to quantify what the programme has done for us as a staff team at Cornerhouse, but the programme really does live up to its name.  It has literally given my colleagues and me the confidence, drive, self-belief and support to reach for whatever they want to achieve as professionals in the VCS.  In the sector as a whole, it pushes the message that we are valuable and worth the investment.

Building a future where leaders stand together

With renewed funding secured, the next chapter of HEY Confident Futures will focus firmly on deepening connection, widening access and continuing to co‑create support based on what leaders tell us they need most.

Membership is free for anyone working or volunteering in a charity or community organisation in Hull and East Yorkshire. Sign up here.

As we look ahead, one thing remains at the heart of everything we do: leaders who feel supported, connected and equipped create stronger organisations, and stronger organisations create stronger communities.