Impact

Nurses and midwives are the backbone of health and care. They hold services together, improve lives every day, and lead change in some of the most complex environments in society.

This year has shown what happens when nurses and midwives are given the confidence, skills and support to lead. Across the UK and internationally, FNF scholars, programme participants and alumni have improved patient outcomes, influenced policy and transformed services. At a time when health and care systems face unprecedented pressures, investing in nursing and midwifery leadership has never been more important.

FNF supports nurses and midwives to stay, thrive, lead and transform.

In 2025–2026,1,526 nurses and midwives participated in FNF leadership programmes and scholarships, and more than 245,000 nurses, midwives and students had access to our Academy.

These nurses and midwives supported by FNF in turn improved care for thousands of patients, strengthened teams across health and care services, influenced national policy, and completed 348 quality improvement projects. Behind every number is a nurse or midwife leading change for patients, colleagues and communities. Their leadership is changing care, and FNF is helping make it happen.

You can read more about FNF’s impact in our latest Impact Report.

You can also read more about our Star Alumni here.

“While nurses, midwives, and AHPs naturally have a clinical focus, leadership must develop alongside this. We’ve seen first-hand how these programmes not only support individuals but also strengthen the organisation as a whole. Great leadership is about empowering the right people, and this is central to our growing culture of improvement at NWAngliaFT. Those who have completed the FNF programme are now pivotal in that journey. They bring fresh insight, analytical thinking, and a set of leadership tools that are already making a difference. Leadership also requires courage, the willingness to step above the parapet and take risks to shape care for the future. I ask all our FNF graduates to ‘pass it on’ to role model, to mentor, and to inspire others.”

Jack Stevens, Deputy Chief Nurse, NWAngliaFT