(Simon Brown - Group Learning & Development Manager, Milewood and Julie Taylor, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Realise at the Milewood Conference 2026)
By Julie Taylor
Our ongoing partnership with Milewood continues to grow from strength to strength, and attending and exhibiting at their Conference 2026 in Doncaster was a powerful reflection of the progress we are making together. As Milewood’s training partner, Realise is proud to support the organisation’s long-term commitment to developing its people, strengthening leadership capability and building a confident, skilled workforce for the future.
Milewood is making a clear and deliberate investment in all its staff to create high-quality teams that consistently deliver the very best standards of care. Development opportunities are being embedded across roles and services to ensure that everyone, from emerging leaders to experienced managers, has access to structured learning, clear progression pathways and ongoing support. That whole-organisation approach is what drives consistency, confidence and quality across services.
Through apprenticeships, leadership development programmes and tailored learning solutions, we work collaboratively with Milewood to align workforce development with operational priorities. Together, we focus on building knowledge, strengthening professional behaviours and embedding reflective practice so that learning translates directly into improved outcomes for the people they support.
The conference itself brought together managers, deputy managers and central support teams for a focused period of learning, reflection and shared purpose. It provided an important opportunity to step back from day-to-day pressures, celebrate progress and look ahead with clarity.
What was particularly powerful was the clear and consistent emphasis on development throughout the event. Leadership growth, confident decision making, accountability and creating positive team cultures were central themes. There was open discussion about the importance of resilience, adaptability and leading with clarity in a complex and demanding sector.
Crucially, the focus extended beyond individual capability to team performance. Milewood recognises that high-quality, person-centred care is delivered by well-trained, well-supported teams who understand expectations, share values and work collaboratively. By investing across the workforce, Milewood is strengthening consistency between services and building a culture where learning is continuous rather than one-off.
As Milewood’s training partner, Realise supports that ambition by ensuring development is practical, relevant and embedded in everyday practice. Our programmes are designed to equip managers and staff with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to lead effectively, support their teams and maintain the highest standards of care. Seeing the pride delegates spoke with about their growth and the impact within their services reinforced the strength of our ongoing partnership.
Central to the conference was listening to the voices of the people Milewood supports, alongside perspectives from external partners. Keeping lived experience at the heart of leadership and workforce development ensures that learning remains grounded in what truly matters: delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred care.
We were also delighted to sponsor one of the evening’s awards. Congratulations to Alex Able on winning the Supporting Service Award, a well-deserved recognition of dedication and impact.
We are proud of the progress achieved so far and excited about what lies ahead. With a shared commitment to investing in people, strengthening teams and continuously improving standards, our partnership with Milewood will continue to support the delivery of exceptional care throughout 2026 and beyond.