LEADERS at the Students Union of Bournemouth University (SUBU) spent a day focusing on life after Covid disruption with the help of a coaching and development specialist.

Poole business Evolve hosted an event which brought the union’s senior team together to “reconnect, plan and reset”.

The event, facilitated by Evolve’s Warren Munson and David Mutton, was funded by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through its Back to Business.

Eleven members of the SUBU leadership were guided through three Evolve workbooks – Motivation; Creating and Managing Change; and Leadership and Influence.

Samantha Leahy-Harland, chief executive of SUBU, said: “It’s been amazing. I got exactly what I wanted out of it, which was after two years of all of us literally being on a screen at home, we’re finally just getting to know each other as individuals, realising what we’re about as leaders in our own areas.”

Union president Ayomote Omuwa said: “I loved the session. It was really, really insightful because when we talk about motivators and how to identify where you’re lacking, I found it very accurate.”

Alan Dove, SUBU’s head of commercial services, said: “I appreciated the level of trust in the room.

“These types of days when you’re in an environment that’s not work, when it’s not your phone ringing and you’re not at your computer—there’s a level of remoteness where you feel like you’re not being judged, and you’re in a space where everyone can admit they have frailties but that we’ve all got strengths, too. It’s a gentle reset moment.”

Jane de Vekey , head of student voice and policy, said: “What I really appreciated was the informal style of it. Everybody just sat round a table, on the same level; there wasn’t a physical space between the facilitator and the group—we were all as one, so it felt very relaxed early on, and I think that was reflected in how open and honest some of the comments were from colleagues.”

Evolve founder Warren Munson said: “I love nothing more than getting a group of people together who are committed to becoming better leaders, and feeling that energy in the room when the discussion flows and everybody is learning with and from each other.”

Finn Morgan, business engagement and Dorest Gateway manager at Dorset LEP, said: “Our Back to Business Initiative, funded by BCP Council, allowed us to support a range of organisations that had endured challenges during the height of the pandemic, but were well placed to recover and grow.

“SUBU is strategically important for the region as an integral part of the Bournemouth University student experience, many of whom go on to work for companies in Dorset.

“With many of its commercial operations being closed and impacted greatly by remote learning and changing customer habits, we hope our support can help make a meaningful difference.”