” The sense of belonging I felt was unreal. I have found my tribe. The Shuri Network is going to be a lifelong relationship.” Shuri Fellows
About the Fellowship programme:
The Shuri Network and NHS England are working collaboratively to support women from ethnic minority backgrounds to succeed and thrive in digital health and improve patient care. Our transformational programme is part-time and will run from September 2024 to May 2025. The Fellowship will help empower you to overcome career-related challenges, gain insight into different digital roles, support your career progression, build positive relationships and self-confidence. There will be sessions from digital and data experts to increase your knowledge and understanding of digital topics, innovation and implementation of change.
Our ground-breaking programme with NHS England and NENC ICB has had a hugely positive impact and created a generation of new digital champions and innovators. This year the Fellowship received over 470 applications and is open to all NHS professional groups including AHPs, midwives, paramedics, digital, data and informatics staff, nurses and doctors. We are also delighted that for the first time there are also places for social care professionals.
Is the Fellowship for me?
You can also view a recording from our 23rd of April webinar with our Chair, Dr Shera Chok and Fellow alumni from our 2023/24 cohort Mariam Patel, Elohor Uwadiogbu and Dian Bates here:
- 22nd of May 5-6 pm: Webinar in collaboration with the British Medical Journal. Recording available here
- Our Digital Fellow from Cohort 2, Awo Hussein, Informatics Specialist Midwife at Whipps Cross Hospital in London has written a blog about her experience on the Shuri Digital Fellowship. “The Fellowship is more than just a programme – it is a catalyst for change, a beacon of hope, and a testament to the power of unity and empowerment.” Read about her journey here:
” The Shuri Network … has been instrumental in mentoring emerging talent and creating new digital leaders.” Helen Balsdon, interim CNIO, NHS England, 2023.
“An email really did change my life…The Fellowship has been instrumental to my personal growth, it has been a platform that has given me a voice. The Network for me is about acceptance. It is an amazing programme that reminds me that digital includes all of us, not just software engineers or analysts.” Felicia Akubue, Digital Fellow 2022/23
“I honestly couldn’t have done this (gained first digital role) without the experience, connections and learning afforded to me through the fellowship. I’m so glad that I went ahead and applied for the Fellowship even when the dreaded imposter syndrome kicked in and gave me 100 reasons not to. The Fellowship has given me so much confidence and belief in myself and my ability to make a difference, and although my fellowship has come to an end, this is just the start of my journey.” Awo Hussein, Digital Fellow 2022/23
The Shuri Digital Fellowship has transformed me personally and professionally. I have become more confident, assertive, visible and have a vision to make impact. The course has re-ignited my passion for career growth and shown me the necessary steps to take for my development. The Fellowship … enhanced my knowledge of digital innovation and patient care which is vital in current NHS. ” Mariam Patel, Digital Fellow 2023/24
In 2023 we expanded our Fellowship programme to ICS staff – women from informatics, data as well as all clinical backgrounds by working with North East and North Cumbria ICS who have sponsored four places on our programme: NHS in pledge to support ethnic minority women into digital health careers | North East and North Cumbria NHS .
We now have nearly 90 alumni across the country. The Fellowships have been sponsored by the NHS England and NENC ICB.
We were delighted to welcome Bisi Soledolu to the Shuri team in June 2021 as our Project Manager for the Nursing Fellowship. Bisi is a nurse & midwife by background and is passionate about helping nurses and midwives to succeed in their careers. In June 2022 she won the Workforce Innovator award at the National BAME Health and Care Awards for her work on the Fellowship !