Women Leading Change

The Women Leading Change Cohort is a 25-week leadership and empowerment programme supporting women to build confidence, strengthen their voices, and lead change in their communities.

Formerly known as Step Up to Democracy, the programme has evolved to reflect a broader focus on leadership, storytelling, and public influence. The current cohort launched on 8 January 2026 at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, bringing together women committed to developing their skills and creating meaningful impact.

LEARN MORE HERE

About the Programme

Women Leading Change is designed to support women at different stages of their leadership journey. Across 25 weeks, participants take part in workshops, mentoring, and practical sessions that focus on:

Confidence and self-belief
Public speaking and communication
Storytelling for impact
Leadership and civic engagement
Building influence and visibility

The programme creates a supportive space where women can learn, practice and grow together.

Programme Team

The Women Leading Change Cohort is delivered by a dedicated team:

Programme Manager: Tiffany Joseph
Programme Lead: Rita Semedo
Programme Officer: Talina Sultana

Guest Speakers

The programme features guest speakers who bring lived experience and insight into leadership and public life.

Our launch event welcomed Salma Yaqoob, former MP, who shared reflections on leadership, resilience, and driving change.

Monthly Programme Updates

This page will be updated monthly to share highlights from the programme and the work participants are doing.

Month 1: Confidence-Building & Public Speaking

The first month of the programme focuses on developing confidence and finding your voice.

Participants are working with:

Emb Hashmi: Award-winning journalist and TEDx speaker, supporting the cohort to develop storytelling for impact
Fateha Begum: Drama coach, helping participants grow confidence and presence in public speaking

These sessions are designed to help women communicate their ideas clearly, confidently, and authentically.

Month 2: Leadership styles & 'Leading in Action' Panel

As we finish the second month of the Women Leading Change programme, our focus on leadership has reached new heights. Throughout this month, our participants have explored diverse leadership styles, deepened their understanding of emotional intelligence, and honed skills in conflict resolution.

The month culminated in our inspiring ‘Leading in Action’ panel, where six phenomenal leaders from Birmingham shared their journeys. They discussed overcoming challenges, fostering collaboration, and the power of networking in leadership.

Month 3 is all about Political Literacy & Local Democracy where they will be visiting the council house in Birmingham and understanding all about how councils work and the elections.

Learn More

To find out more about the values and vision behind Women Leading Change, visit our mission page:
Women Leading Change – Our Mission

Women Leading Change is proudly funded by Comic Relief, whose support helps us empower women to lead change in their communities and create lasting, positive impact.