Written on 24/04/2024
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our new non-clinical fellowship programme.
Your reflections, honesty and insight are helping us shape the programme into something even more meaningful, structured and supportive for future fellows, and for the practices they work within.
This blog captures what we heard, what we’ve learned, and what we’re doing next.
What We Heard from Our Fellows
Across feedback conversations, a few important themes stood out.
Many fellows valued having structure and clarity, particularly at the beginning of the programme:
I need more guidance, and structure helps me work.
Starting something new, especially a non-clinical development pathway, can feel uncertain. Several fellows shared that having clearer milestones, defined expectations and proactive support would help them feel more confident in navigating the experience.
Networking also emerged as one of the strongest positives.
Networking really helped. I valued the face-to-face events most of all, but even the WhatsApp groups gave me a chance to get ideas and support from others.
The opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas and learn from others in similar roles was highly valued. Community and shared learning were consistently highlighted as a key benefit of the fellowship.
Some fellows also spoke candidly about the challenge of balancing fellowship time alongside busy roles:
I feel guilty sometimes; it’s hard to justify time out of my job when everyone’s so busy. I am not sure the GP partners understood what I was doing.
This feedback is particularly important. It highlights the need not only to support fellows themselves, but also to ensure practices fully understand the purpose, structure and value of the fellowship programme.
What We’re Doing Next
Your feedback has directly informed the next phase of development.
Providing Clearer Guidance for Practices
We will be developing clearer information for practices, including:
What the fellowship bursary can be used for
How the programme benefits patient care
The wider impact fellows can bring to their teams
The wellbeing value of protected reflection and development time
Supporting managers and GP partners with better visibility of the programme will help ensure fellows feel confident and supported in using their allocated time.
Strengthening Structure and Support
We recognise that it can be difficult to know what you don’t know at the start of a fellowship.
To support this, we will:
Be more proactive in arranging 1:1 meetings
Offer clearer structure and check-in points
Provide guidance earlier in the programme
Ensure expectations and opportunities are visible from the outset
This will help fellows feel anchored, confident and clear about their development journey.
Keeping the Community Connected
Community matters.
We will continue supporting alumni to stay connected beyond the formal fellowship period. Networking, shared learning and peer support will remain a core part of this programme.
Whether through face-to-face events, digital groups or structured networking opportunities, we want fellows to feel part of an ongoing professional community, not just a time-limited initiative.
Why This Matters
Non-clinical fellowships create space for reflection, development and broader thinking. They support leadership growth, innovation and wellbeing, all of which ultimately benefit practices and patients.
Your feedback is helping us ensure the programme remains:
Structured
Supportive
Transparent
Valued by practices
Grounded in community
Thank you again to everyone who shared their experience so openly. We’re committed to continuing to listen, evolve and strengthen this programme together.
If you would like to learn more about our non-clinical fellowships, upcoming opportunities, or how your practice can get involved, please get in touch with the us.
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