It felt amazing to be nominated for the Rising Star programme in the first place, but when I was told I had been selected to join the programme I was so happy and felt it was such a privilege.

Launched in 2017, the NCF Rising Stars Programme is an NCF initiative created to develop leadership skills through mentoring and learning opportunities.

The first part of the programme was to attend the NCF annual conference in London.

The night before the conference they put me up in The Tower Hotel right next to Tower Bridge.
It was a great evening as I got to meet the nine other ‘Rising Stars’ selected to be part of the programme.

We were treated to a lovely meal and all sat together sharing our experiences and getting to know each other.

I also got to spend time with my programme mentor, assistant director of provider services for Optalis, Helen Woodland.

There were demonstrations on textured modified foods for those with swallowing difficulties and training on dysphagia. It was a very interesting day and they provided us with a beautiful lunch.

I am really looking forward to the next few months of the programme. I am meeting with my mentor again in a few weeks and then I have the NCF Manager’s Conference to look forward to in November.

The Rising Star programme has been incredibly interesting and valuable so far, I can’t wait to see what is coming next and put into practice all the skills I have learned.

Kelly Hartley, Cherry Garth Home Manager