First ever CABE Space leadership programme a resounding success

The programme gave delegates an opportunity to develop their skills as leaders in the green space sector, through workshops, site visits, debates and mentoring sessions.

The first residential school for green space managers - held in Sheffield at the end of March - has been judged a great success by its 80 participants.

The three-and-a-half day intensive programme gave delegates a unique opportunity to develop their skills as leaders in the green space sector. Each day offered a stimulating mixture of workshops, site visits, debates, mentoring sessions and key note speakers.

Sessions included a 'Parkinson' style interview with leading green space managers; a heated 'great debate' about maintenance, with speakers for and against the motion 'contracting out the maintenance of green spaces can never work'; and a practical challenge, where delegates had to demonstrate the benefits of their park.

Inspirational speakers included Jason Prior, managing director of EDAW, who showed how the new Olympic park would meet a range of regeneration agendas. Paul King, from the One Million Sustainable Homes campaign talked about how to bring about change, encouraging delegates that influencing locally would pay dividends. Martin Horton, of the Improvement and Development Agency helped de-mystify leadership skills, resulting in 'a light bulb moment' for one delegate!

Delegates talked about leaving the programme with more confidence and ambition about their work. One delegate commented that, 'this was the first time I felt invested in as a senior green space manager.' Another said: 'I left inspired, with a sense of the bigger picture,' while others said they were excited about future and what they needed to do next in their work with parks.