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We create bespoke leadership development opportunities designed to empower professionals with critical skills and resources for self-advocacy, personal and professional growth. Our adaptive leadership training includes real scenarios and reflection tools so leaders build and practice habits of flexibility. Who am I? Home page Leadership Programmes. GROWTH AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT About the series Bespoke Training to Support Leaders Across your Business. We design bespoke leadership development opportunities to catalyze or supplement in-house learning and development solutions. We empower professionals with critical skills and resources for self-advocacy, personal and professional growth . Enquire now Leaders need new skills for a new world. The world is changing, and leaders need a wider range of skills than ever before. From coaching and performance management to emotional based skills , the future of what leadership can be in your organisation is wholly dependent on the investment you make in talent development today. → 70% of leaders believe they need to master more effective leadership behaviours to meet current and future business needs. ⁽¹⁾ Our Approach. Our programmes combine lived experience, structured feedback and coaching to develop emotional intelligence, not just teach theory. Using frameworks for managing tough conversations, giving feedback, and crafting clear messages that build trust to help leaders connect strategy to purpose and values, grounding vision in inclusive decision-making . → Employee retention is 20 times greater at companies with a focus on leadership development. ⁽²⁾ → Only 43% of leaders can deliver constructive feedback that changes behaviour. ⁽³⁾ Tailored programmes for... ✓ Early Career Employees ✓ People Managers ✓ Specific Departments ✓ Senior Leadership Teams ✓ Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leads ✓ Underrepresented Employees "Attending this leadership programme has helped me build my confidence in multiple ways. I've learned to speak up and put my thoughts forward when a massive part of me would much rather just sit back and let others take the stage." - Employee Feedback "Whilst attending the managers sessions I was able to reflect on what an inclusive workplace should be like, how I can be a better ally, and refresh my understanding of what good leadership and management looks like." - Line Manager Feedback Bespoke to your organisation. Having designed bespoke experiences to support, inspire, and upskill leaders across 200+ organisations in the last five years, we know that individuals are most engaged when training is specific to their organisation, role, and goals . Check out some of our example programmes below. Book your free consultation Senior Leadership People/Middle Managers Early Careers ERG Leads Senior Leadership: TRAINING COURSE Part 1. Psychological Safety: The Foundation of High-Performing Teams Part 2. Inclusive Leadership: Mitigating Bias for Strategic Decisions Part 3. Emotional Intelligence Leadership: Change Management Through Connection Part 4. Coaching with Compassion: Purpose Driven Feedback/Performance Management Enquire now Senior Leadership People/Middle Managers: TRAINING COURSE Part 1. Leading with Influence & Impact Part 2. Effective Coaching & Mentoring Part 3. Navigating Change & Building Resilience Part 4. Adaptive Leadership: Hybrid & Remote Workforces Enquire now People/Middle Managers Early Careers: TRAINING COURSE Part 1. Discovering My Strengths: Growth & Innovation Mindsets Part 2. Emotional Intelligence & Receiving Feedback Part 3. Cultural Competency for Inclusive Collaboration Part 4. Decoding Professionalism & Authenticity Enquire now Early Careers Employee Resource Groups: TRAINING COURSE Part 1. Cultivating Inclusive Leadership Part 2. Strategies for Inclusive Events Part 3. Cross-Collaborative Initiatives Across ERGs Part 4. Effective Communication for ERG Leads Part 5. Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Part 6. Measuring Impact for ERG Success Enquire now ERGs Case Studies. LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME Coventry City Council A bespoke LGBTQ+ Talent Development Accelerator Programme A six-part interactive workshop series to empower LGBTQ+ leaders at Coventry City Council to strengthen their ability to influence and create sustainable change across the organisation. Workshop content combined theoretical knowledge with best practice tools and holistic strategies for building leadership skills and influencing in the area of career development and progression. Line managers and mentors also received supplemental sessions with resources, surveys and check ins to help support programme participants. Check out the full case study LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME Ziff Davis Developing Compassion & Emotional Intelligence for Senior Leaders A leadership programme designed to equip senior leaders with the emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and compassionate leadership skills required to build inclusive, high-performing cultures — even in complex, high-pressure environments. This programme connects inclusion to leadership credibility, business outcomes, and employee retention , not just values. LEADERSHIP TRAINING JTI Shaping My Purpose As A Leader An interactive workshop delivered for JTI's 'Women of Pride' group, exploring how participants define and shape their sense of purpose as leaders . Workshop content demonstrated how societal expectations, industry norms and wellbeing challenges can distract us from our goals and aspirations. Participants explored how personal growth, guidance and mentorship can shape their paths towards succesful leadership. LEADERSHIP TRAINING Camunda Activating and Empowering Networks of Allyship, Influence and Accountability A interactive session delivered for Camunda, exploring strategies to empower women employees towards leadership through building diverse networks of influence , fostering accountability and allyship. Our panellists shared practical approaches to build more an inclusive workplace where women leaders feel compelled to voice their unique perspectives. More resources... Top 10 Training Programmes: Supporting Women Leaders. Looking to develop and support women leaders in your organisation? Check out these training programmes. Read more Top 10 Training Programmes: Community Building & Leadership. Programmes utilising community building principles to shape your organisation's approach to leadership. Read more Top 10 Training Programmes: Cultivating LGBTQ+ Leaders. Level up LGBTQ+ talent in your workforce with programmes tailored to upskill queer employees. Read more Our Podcast

We Create Space is a global Queer-led platform, consultancy and collective on a mission to improve the lives of under-represented groups of professionals around the world by connecting our communities and allies with tools, knowledge and a support network for personal growth, leadership development, allyship and self-care. Learn. Connect. Grow. WE CREATE SPACE We're a community-led learning platform, network, and consultancy focused on culture change, community building and social innovation. Welcome to CSR Our Events Our Services Our Resources Our Collective Our Platform Our solutions - 1 - Our Resources. Recent Articles Get in touch Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. Strategies for accessing joy in turbulent times. WELLBEING 3 min read WCS | Recognising 5 Years of Creating Space. Learn how We Create Space is improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people across the globe. INCLUSION 2 min read Pride Gala | WCS LGBTQ+ Awards 21.06.25 Take a peek into our fabulous Pride Gala at The Social Hub in Barcelona. EVENTS 2 min read WCS LGBTQ+ Awards 2025 | Introducing the Awardees. Recognising 100+ Queer Leaders serving their communities. LEADERSHIP 3 min read Fostering trans community care amidst anti-trans legislation. Allyship, care, resources and strategies for the trans community as we navigate political uncertainty. WELLBEING 3 min read WCS x VistaPrint: LGBTQIA+ Community Sponsorship. How we worked with Vistaprint to celebrate Queer Leaders making a difference. CASE STUDIES 4 min read Community Building 101: Our Top 30 Considerations. Our guide to build, grow, and engage communities through the principles of inclusion, wellbeing and leadership. LEADERSHIP 8 min read DEI Insights & Trends in 2025. A qualitative research study providing actionable insights and strategies for DEI practitioners in 2025. REPORTS 5 min read The World Needs More LGBTQ+ Leaders. Why we need to educate, inspire and empower more professionals to become LGBTQ+ Leaders. REPORTS 4 min read The Business Case for DEI in 2024. The continued importance of building diversity, equity and inclusion principles into the foundations of any company’s business strategy -... REPORTS 13 min read - 2 - Our Services. Discover our range of bespoke corporate solutions, bringing powerful community-building solutions to the heart of your business. Corporate Solutions Get in touch Allyship Programmes Leadership Programmes Resources & Content Talks & Panel Discussions Event Packages Annual Membership Consultancy & Guidance Workshops & Webinars - 3 - Our Community. Follow us on social to receive all our latest free content. - 4 - Our Events . Sign-up to our newsletter to receive all the latest information and updates, including invites to our free events as they get announced. Community Catchup & Stroll | LDN Sun 28 Sept Yurt Cafe More info Register now My (Refugee) Life Film, Panel and Networking Thu 02 Oct London More info Register now Queer Speed Networking | Online Wed 08 Oct Online More info Register now Queer Speed Networking (Student Edition) Wed 15 Oct The Cover More info Register now Queer Leadership 101 | Online Mon 20 Oct Online More info Register now Community Building 101: Oogachaga Tue 21 Oct Online More info Register now Load More Upcoming Events Get in touch WCS x The Festival of Consciousness 2025 Bringing Queer perspectives to an international audience. EVENTS 2 min read Pride Gala | WCS LGBTQ+ Awards 21.06.25 Take a peek into our fabulous Pride Gala at The Social Hub in Barcelona. EVENTS 2 min read Pink Carpet at WCS LGBTQ+ Awards 21.06.25 Check out these photos of our glamourous pink carpet guests at the 2025 WCS LGBTQ+ Awards at The Social Hub in Barcelona. This year's ... EVENTS 2 min read Awardees Dinner | WCS LGBTQ+ Awards 20.06.25 An intimate evening of connection at Soho House for our 2025 awardees. EVENTS 2 min read 'Reclaiming Joy' Queer Retreat 18.04.25 A four day retreat nurturing joy, strength and health. EVENTS 3 min read Half-Day Queer Retreat 08.03.25 A day of rest, release and reconnection in Barcelona. EVENTS 2 min read WCS España Launch Event at The Social Hub 26.03.25 Launching our non-profit organisation in Spain. EVENTS 2 min read WCS x Barcelona Expat Life Building connections at the Barcelona Expat Life Job Fair. EVENTS 2 min read WCS x The Festival of Consciousness 2024 Bringing Queer perspectives to an international audience. EVENTS 2 min read Pink Carpet at WCS LGBTQ+ Awards 22.06.24 Check out these photos of our glamourous pink carpet guests at the inaugural WCS LGBTQ+ Awards at The Social Hub in Barcelona. This year... EVENTS 1 min read - 5 - Our Collective . Our Global Speaker Collective is comprised of inclusion specialists, therapists, certified coaches, consultants, mental health professionals, activists, senior execs, legal experts, and corporate change-makers. Meet our speakers Get in touch - 6 - Our Campus . WCS | Campus is our new digital space where you can connect with other like-minded people from our community - engaging in meaningful discussions, workshops, events and online courses - at a global and local level. Join the Campus Get in touch

WE CREATE SPACE is a registered not-for-profit organisation facilitating LGBT wellbeing workshops. With a focus on self-care in the queer community, our team of well-being experts and mental health professionals provide bespoke solutions and support to the LGBT community.  Our Mission. Who Are We? Why do we exist? We bring people together, to learn more about themselves, and each other. We’re a global community-led platform , consultancy and collective on a mission to enable culture-change and community-building. We improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people and other under-represented groups of professionals around the world by connecting our communities and allies with tools, knowledge and a support network for personal growth, leadership development, allyship and self-care. We do that through community events, expert consultancy, bespoke training, digital content, data and insights. Meet the Team The Vision. A world that is accessible, inclusive and safe for LGBTQ+ people and other under-represented or marginalised identities to heal, develop and grow. Our Mission. To bring people together to learn more about themselves, and each other. What is 'Creating Space'? Grounded in community care, healing and development principles, 'Creating Space' is about collective learning, connection and growth - taking the time to acquire greater interpersonal knowledge, skills and connections - bringing more awareness to our mind, body, emotions and actions as leaders, change-makers and allies - to better understand ourselves and each other, the power we have, and ultimately take responsibility for shaping the world around us in service of building a more inclusive society. How do we 'Create Space'? That's where we come in. Through our events, training, content, and consultancy, we share knowledge, tools, stories and wisdom that educates, inspires and empowers individuals to ‘Create Space’ in their roles as leaders, change-agents and allies. Ultimately we want our platform, events and content to empower ALL people to Create Space in their own lives, and drive further change within their own networks, communities and workplaces. Community-led. We're a registered CIC community-led social enterprise. This means that the profit made from the work we do with corporations goes back into our communities. The money goes towards providing free events, resources, well-being solutions and supporting to the wider global Queer community. Find out more Wellbeing & Mental Health. At WE CREATE SPACE , we are committed to making self-care a priority in the life of every leader and change-maker; equipping our communities with new tools and practices for managing their own mental health and wellbeing. Find out more Queer Leadership Queer Leadership. Queer Leadership for us isn't just about LGBTQ+ representation, visibility or hierarchy - what's on the outside . It's not even necessarily about being 'Queer'. For us, Queer Leadership is about challenging and transforming the way we approach leadership in general. It's about looking inside and practicing leadership at every level in a way that enables all of us to thrive - both personally and professionally . Queer Leadership is a mindset of curiosity ; it's embracing our unique strengths, prioritising authenticity, listening with compassion, influencing with integrity, transforming our state of awareness , challenging 'the norm' and opening ourselves up to new possibilities as leaders, as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community. What's next for you? Join an Event Corporate Solutions

Insights on prioritising wellbeing in DEI from our latest WCS Insights Report. Co-authored by Coda Nicolaeff This article is part of a series diving deeper into the We Create Space Insights Report | DEI Insights & Trends in 2025 . Here, we focus on the critical need to safeguard the wellbeing of DEI practitioners to ensure the long-term success of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The wellbeing of DEI practitioners is increasingly recognised as a crucial factor in the success of DEI efforts. These roles often involve navigating complex, emotionally charged issues within organisations, which can lead to significant emotional labour and stress. In 2025, organisations must move beyond superficial wellbeing initiatives and focus on providing structural support, fostering psychological safety, and managing workloads effectively. Protecting the wellbeing of DEI professionals is not just a moral obligation but a strategic necessity to sustain long-term DEI progress and retain top talent. The Emotional Toll of DEI Work DEI practitioners frequently act as informal counsellors, supporting colleagues through identity-related challenges. This work often goes beyond their formal remit, leaving them to manage the emotional strain of addressing sensitive topics while pushing for systemic change in potentially resistant organisations. “We often do this job alone, that’s one of the biggest challenges. The nature of this work means we’re going against the grain of what’s been done for years, pushing people out of their comfort zones… By the time leadership was finally ready to listen, I was completely burnt out .” - Practitioner in law Access to mental health support—such as therapy, well-being resources, and peer networks—was highlighted as a critical need for practitioners to share experiences and develop coping strategies. Without these resources, the risk of burnout increases significantly. Career Limitations & High Turnover DEI roles often lack clear pathways for upward mobility, resulting in high turnover rates. Practitioners noted that many DEI professionals leave their roles within three years, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. The lack of career progression and recognition for the expertise required in DEI positions often leads to frustration and burnout. “If you look at most DEI practitioners, they tend to stay in a company for less than three years, and then they leave… We’re in these ‘Jesus roles’—they hire us, expect us to turn water into wine… We can be the strategist, the lead, and the advocate, but we can’t have it all on our shoulders.” - Practitioner in entertainment To address this, organisations must invest in creating career pathways that recognise the expertise and emotional labour required for DEI work. Providing opportunities for growth and fair compensation is essential to retaining talented professionals and preventing the cycle of turnover. The Importance of Setting Boundaries Setting and respecting boundaries is essential for managing the emotional and professional demands of DEI work. Practitioners stressed the need for leadership to support DEI teams in establishing clear limits, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than being consumed by reactive, day-to-day challenges. “I’m really clear now on what my non-negotiables are, and I want other practitioners to be clear too. I don’t live to work—work allows me to have a life… If we want to do this work sustainably and not burn out, we have to have healthy boundaries. We have to balance hope with reality.” - Practitioner in technology Leadership guidance and robust organisational structures can empower DEI practitioners to delegate responsibilities and redirect complex issues to appropriate resources. These measures are crucial to ensuring that DEI professionals can maintain focus and avoid emotional exhaustion. The Path Forward To protect the wellbeing of DEI practitioners and sustain organisational progress, organisations should: Provide Tangible Support:   Offer mental health resources, including therapy and emotional support networks, along with explicit leadership backing to address the burden of emotional labour. Define and Respect Boundaries:   Establish formal guidelines to prevent DEI professionals from being overburdened, ensuring leadership enforces and respects these limits. Promote Career Growth:   Create clear advancement pathways, including leadership development programmes and fair compensation, to prevent stagnation and demonstrate the value of DEI work. Mitigate Emotional Labour:   Train teams to share responsibilities, reduce reliance on DEI professionals as counsellors, and foster an environment where practitioners can focus on strategic goals. By implementing these measures, organisations can create an environment where DEI practitioners thrive, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of their efforts. This article is part of the We Create Space Insights Report | DEI Insights & Trends in 2025  series. To learn more, check out the full report here . Stay tuned for more as we continue sharing our learnings with our community. While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!

LGBTQ+ advocate Pius Kennedy shares what Queer Leadership means to them. New for 2025, UNLOCK, powered by We Create Space, is thrilled to introduce 'Queer Leadership 101: Lesson learnt from my journey as an LGBTQ+ change maker’ - Our new online, bite-sized series focusing on change makers and role models creating positive change locally and globally. During each 30 minute session, you'll hear all about our guest speakers' stories as they share more about who they are, what they do & how they show up in the world as a Queer Leader. There will also be an opportunity for questions & discussion. Our guest speaker for September 2025 is Pius Kennedy (they/them, one of our WCS Queer Leader Awardees for 2025! Pius is a bold and passionate queer leader from Uganda, currently serving as Programs Manager at Africa Queer Network (AQNET). With over five years of experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy, research, and community organising, Pius has led transformative initiatives focused on health equity, crisis response, and leadership development for LGBTQ+ individuals across Uganda. Pius is known for supporting shelters, coordinating acts of kindness campaigns, and fostering regional collaborations that centres community voices. As someone who has lived through systemic violence and discrimination, Pius uses both personal resilience and professional strategy to push for inclusive systems. Their work represents resistance, restoration, and the hope that queer Ugandans can live freely and with pride. If you are someone who envisions yourself as a Queer Leader now or in the future, this is for you! The sessions aim to empower you with insights, inspiration & practical take-aways centred around our core pillars of community building: Inclusion, Wellbeing & Leadership. We hope you can join us as we come together to shine a spotlight on our Queer Leaders & learn, connect & grow as a community. If you would like to discuss booking one of these speakers for your own session, please get in touch with us via email at hello@wecreatespace.co While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter  so you can stay up to date!

Strategies for accessing joy in turbulent times. Across the world, political shifts are making it harder and harder for LGBTQIA+ people to live freely as themselves. From rising conservatism and anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric to segregation through bathroom bills and diminishing financial support for LGBTQIA+ charities and organisations, many queer people are feeling deflated and exhausted. Living in a capitalist society with so many demands on our time and attention can make it even harder to process these feelings. This month, WE CREATE SPACE hosted an open forum for individuals from our community to come together and discuss how we can cultivate queer joy. This conversation was about moving beyond seeing queer joy as just frivolous fun, and recognising how we must nurture, prioritise and protect it as an act of resistance in the current political climate. The 90 minute session began in-conversation with two WCS Collective members who are experts on all things joy: TEDx speaker, content creator and author of 'The Book of Non-binary Joy' Ben Pechey (they/them) and multi-disciplinary performer and creative facilitator Ki Griffin (he/they). Together, Ben and Ki discussed how systemic and intersectional issues can create barriers to us accessing joy and how they both personally approach fostering joy in their day to day lives. " It's always nourishing and a learning experience when you hear from incredible speakers that have a wealth of knowledge. "  - Participant feedback. Community Reflections At the start of the session participants voiced what was getting in the way of them experiencing joy as queer people. These answers included:  Feeling restricted by social norms and the pressure to 'fit in' Biased and negative media coverage of LGBTQIA+ issues Removal of policies protecting LGBTQIA+ people at work Ignorance towards LGBTQIA+ people Political leaders, such as Trump and the UK Labour Party. Anti-trans extremists " Loved the facilitators and how they worked to bring people into the space. "  - Participant feedback. Breakout Spaces Participants entered breakout rooms to discuss the following prompts in small groups: Identify what is diminishing your joy Consider joy limitations ( such as situational masking where you maybe don’t feel your authentic self would be accepted/welcomed eg: work, religion, wider family.) How do you deal with that? What does joy actually mean to you? (consider what can be actioned)  Based on their answers to these questions, participants were the able to fill out an action plan on how they can cultivate queer joy in their personal and professionals lives, as well as in their wider community. Takeaways Ben Pechey ✓  Resistance to your existence doesn’t have to change how you feel about yourself. ✓  Joy can feel impossible, if it's not there, try again tomorrow. ✓ Joy is easier when it is not created in a vacuum, joy is a community pursuit.   Ki Griffin ✓ Balance the time spent within spaces where you can't be authentically yourself and ones where you can. ✓ The success of your interactions with the world/others doesn’t reflect on your worth. ✓  Go out and touch grass. Online spaces can be catalysts of negativity; get out and be in the moment. “ I always feel part of the WCS sessions, seen, visible and heard. ” - Participant feedback While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!