Jigsaw Homes is part of the BOOST leadership change programme and recent evidence suggests that the initiative is already helping to create positive organisational change for ethnically diverse colleagues and housing providers.
The programme began in 2023 and is run by Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP). It aims to challenge and address the under-representation of ethnically diverse colleagues at leadership level in the housing sector and remove the barriers these employees face when advancing into senior roles.
Earlier this month, report findings were shared at the BOOST Programme Conference after being published by academic partners at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
Mentees, mentors, Change Champions and senior leaders from across the sector were each brought together to reflect on the programme’s impact and explore its next phase of development.
The evaluation of the programme’s first two mentoring cohorts found that around half of the participating mentees had secured an internal or external promotion or pay rise following their involvement in the programme.
Among the key findings, it was highlighted that nine of the 14 mentees who completed the programme in 2024 have progressed through promotion or pay progression, while six of the 18 mentees who completed the programme in 2025 have already progressed in their careers. While Cohort 3 was not included in the evaluation, it has shown similar levels of success, with some mentees already having gained new roles while on the programme.
Many participants who hadn’t yet secured promotion reported positive outcomes, including increased confidence, improved wellbeing, stronger professional networks, clearer and more strategic careers plans, and enhanced leadership skills. Others had moved into new roles, made career changes including becoming self-employed or pursuing strategically selected qualifications, or taken on additional responsibilities within their organisations. There was also a raised awareness of role structures and transferrable skills.
The evaluation concluded that there is strong evidence for the overall effectiveness of the BOOST model, while also identifying opportunities to further strengthen and develop the programme in the years ahead, ensuring that our leadership reflects the communities we serve.
The conference featured workshops, breakout sessions, and a panel discussion with mentees, who shared their experiences of the programme and reflected on how BOOST had helped them overcome barriers, build confidence, and advocate for others and for positive change within their organisations.
You can read more about the BOOST programme and the report findings here>>.
