Application deadline 
8th January 2026

Pricing 
£1,500 per person. See if you’re eligible for a bursary below.

Scale your ideas for maximum impact

Spread & Scale is a comprehensive development programme that helps teams amplify what works. At its heart is a dynamic three-day academy, an immersive event that equips teams with the tools, strategies and support to grow their impact and lead change at scale.

The next Academy is taking place between 10th and 12th March 2026 in Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, Cardiff.

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“I’m convinced that if we hadn’t attended the Spread and Scale Academy, it would have taken me my whole career to get where I am now. Instead it has only take a couple of years.”

Paul Twose, Consultant Therapist

Turn great ideas into large-scale change

Spread & Scale is more than an approach. It’s a practical, people-focused programme that helps teams amplify what works. It includes our immersive three-day Academy, designed to build the skills, strategies and confidence needed to lead change that lasts.

You’ll gain clarity on the problem you’re solving, set ambitious goals, and unlock your team’s full potential by working smarter, not harder. By the end of the Academy, your team will leave with a clear 90-day sprint plan to kickstart your scaling journey.

Leave the event with renewed confidence in yourself and your work. Your team will be equipped to lead transformative change with strong leadership, best practices, and proven models for large-scale impact.

Ongoing expert and peer support

Your learning doesn’t stop at the Academy. As part of the wider Spread & Scale programme, you’ll have access to tools, coaching, and our growing Community of Practice: a peer network offering ongoing support, fresh thinking and expert advice.

Explore success stories

See the impact we’ve had

Applying for the next academy

To apply for Spread & Scale Academy, you’ll need a small-scale project, a team of 3-6 people, and the drive to scale your impact. The event is ideal for SMEs and cross-sector teams working on areas like health, innovation, or social justice.

The next Academy takes place in Cardiff from 10th to 12th March 2026. Applications are now open.

Fees for the next Academy

Places on the Spread and Scale Academy cost £1500 per person.

Wales-based NHS and publicly-funded social care organisations will not be charged as their fees are covered by Welsh Government Intensive Learning Academy Funding.

Want to know more? Please enquire with us about costs for your organisation.

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Bring Spread & Scale to your organisation or system

If you’re leading a larger programme of work and want to accelerate its impact, we can bring Spread & Scale to you.

From immersive three-day Academies to one-day events and focused workshops, we offer tailored sessions designed to meet the specific needs of your teams, projects and system. Each event is practical, energising and grounded in real work, helping teams move from promising ideas to large-scale, lasting change.

At the centre of every bespoke event is our tried-and-tested Model for Unleashing. This approach combines systems thinking, leadership development and technical tools to help teams overcome barriers, align around a shared purpose and spread what works.

Why commission a bespoke Spread & Scale event?

Align your teams around a clear purpose and shared approach to scaling what works

Accelerate delivery of your programme goals with focused, action-oriented sessions

Build capability through practical tools, frameworks and leadership development

Strengthen collaboration across organisations, departments or sectors

Create lasting impact with follow-on support from experts at the Dragon’s Heart Institute.

Get in touch to co-create a Spread and Scale event that delivers long-term value for your programme, your people and the communities you serve.

Contact our team

“Partnering with the Dragon’s Heart Institute to create and then run a Sustainability focused Spread and Scale Academy and Leadership Day has been a fantastic addition to the Health and Social Care Climate Emergency National Programme.

We knew there was loads of good practice happening across Wales but were unsure of how to provide the practical support needed to help project leads realise the full, national potential of their work. Being part of an Academy solely focused on the climate agenda has enabled project leads to undertake shared problem solving, seek constructive challenge and create new connections and networks, which in turn has helped shape the projects to have national impact.

There is also something about knowing you are part of a collective effort that helps when things get tough or when you want to get your voice heard, there is definitely strength in numbers when tackling big delivery challenges like climate change. It has also been a lot of fun!

We are now into the second year and have an even bigger pipeline of projects and a clear offer for individuals and teams who want to take action on the climate agenda. The DHI team continue to help us evolve the approach and we are excited about the impact the next set of projects will have.”

Lisa Wise MBE, Deputy Director Climate Change and Environmental Public Health, Welsh Government

What we’ve learned about Spread & Scale

Spread & Scale is not the same as Quality Improvement.

Doing more of the same often does not lead to scale. So while there is some overlap, spread & scale is a discipline in its own right with different sets of skills required. We are at the cutting edge of this emerging field.

Teams need time to refine their work.

The constant pressure to deliver stops teams who are working on great projects from ever pausing to refine their work and ensure that it’s as ready to spread as it can be. Time together away from the workplace to refine their thinking is invaluable and leads to better performing, more cohesive teams.

Relational skills and the ‘inner work’ are as important as technical skills.

While focus on the technical skills is important, it is impossible to over-state the need to focus on the relational aspect of spread and scale. This, alongside an understanding of themselves will allow teams to motivate others and drive the scale of their project without risking burnout.

Teams perform best with expert support.

Having expertly trained facilitators support teams during the Academy is an invaluable addition to their learning experience. The Dragon’s Heart Institute is fortunate to have five Spread and Scale Fellows trained by the Billions Institute and a number of other skilled facilitators who provide coaching and support both during and after the Academy.

Teachers, facilitators and fellows

The Spread & Scale programme is delivered by a dynamic team of expert teachers, experienced facilitators, and dedicated Spread & Scale Fellows. Together, they bring a wealth of real-world knowledge in innovation, leadership, and large-scale change. Many are alumni of the programme themselves, now giving back by supporting others to grow their ideas and confidence. Their role is to challenge, support and inspire, helping each team navigate the journey of spreading impact in complex systems.