Windmills Champions
The North Western Deanery has a group of volunteer Windmills Champions who have been trained and licensed to deliver Windmills Workshops within the Deanery.
We expect that they will deliver workshops to a variety of groups but hope that all F1 doctors will have an opportunity to attend a Windmills Workshop. Preference will be given to this group where possible. For information on Windmills and how to arrange a workshop, read on.
What is Windmills?
Windmills is a suite of career support tools designed originally by the University of Liverpool, now and independent company. The tools can be used at any stage of somebody’s career and provide a way to look at careers differently and identify strategies to address specific issues.
More information can be found on the Windmills website www.windmillsonline.co.uk
What is a Windmills Workshop?
A Windmills Workshop is a day or more usually a half day session during which a trainer facilitates a group through a process of career exploration using a selection of the Windmills tools. These can include exercises to build attendees’ understanding of their skills portfolio, how to develop it and use it to their advantage, looking at values and passions in work, work-life balance ideals, self-beliefs, working and team styles, goal setting and action planning for example.
The standard session is ideally suited for trainees wishing to confirm or decide on their specialty orientation, look at career options and prepare for interviews or selection. Thus we are particularly interested in offering workshops to F1 trainees and other groups of junior doctors
However a workshop can benefit groups of medical professionals in transition at any stage of their career, ie in the process of making an important career change or decision. Thus workshops have been run for SAS doctors or trainees approaching CCT with great success.
The maximum number of attendees for a workshop is 15. If you anticipate more attendees, please arrange 2 workshops or liaise directly with the Deanery.
Note also that sessions can be offered to individuals – dependent on the availability of Windmills Champions. Contact local Champions directly.
What is a Windmills Champion?
Only those trained and licensed to do so can deliver a Windmills Workshop or support session to employees of the North Western Deanery. These individuals are known as Windmills Champions. 23 volunteers are currently trained and licensed by North Western Deanery. We expect that 2 champions will co-deliver each workshop.
How do I arrange a Windmills Workshop?
You may already have Windmills Champions in mind to train and co-train your workshops. If so, you can liaise with them directly before registering your workshop with the Deanery via Laure Meaney - the Careers assistant.
We will need to know;
- Suggested dates - please offer several alternatives where possible
- Number of sessions required - no more than 15 attendees per session
- Venue
- Audience grade
Note that sessions are usually from 2 till 4.30 unless otherwise agreed.
Also due to the nature of the exercises, a large room with plenty of table space per attendee is required.
Your Windmills Champions will arrange the materials they require and may ask you to print some handouts. Your Champions will liaise with you regarding any other requirements. You will be expected to introduce the Windmills Champions to the audience at the start of the workshop.
How do I contact the Windmills Champions?
For a list of Windmills Champions click here. If this is your first time arranging a session, please contact the Deanery Careers team first.
If you have any enquiries, please contact nwd.careers@nw.hee.nhs.uk or 0161 625 7635