Applications now open until 8 January
The Dragon’s Heart Institute is delighted to announce that the next Spread and Scale Academy will take place between 10 and 12 March 2026 at Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground in Cardiff. Applications are now open and will close on 8 January 2026.
Spread and Scale is our flagship development programme for teams who want to take a promising idea and turn it into large scale, lasting change. Designed and delivered in partnership with the Billions Institute, the Academy brings together the very best of systems thinking, leadership development, practical tools and real world problem solving. It is a focused three day experience that supports teams to amplify what works and unlock their full potential.
Who the Academy is for
The Academy is designed for teams of three to six people who are working on a small scale project and are ready to grow their impact. It is open to NHS teams, social care teams, third sector organisations, SMEs and cross sector partnerships. If you are working in health, innovation, climate, equity or social justice, Spread and Scale will help you build the strategies and confidence to accelerate your work.
What participants can expect
Over three immersive days, teams will:
- Gain clarity on the problem they are solving and the outcomes they want to achieve
- Set bold, ambitious and achievable aims
- Build the relational and technical skills needed to lead change in complex systems
- Learn how to work smarter, not harder, by using proven tools and high leverage strategies
- Leave with a clear 90 day sprint plan to kickstart their scaling journey
- Connect with a powerful network of peers across health, social care and allied sectors
As part of the wider Spread and Scale programme, participants also receive follow up coaching, tools and access to our Community of Practice. This ongoing support provides a space for shared problem solving, challenge and encouragement long after the Academy has ended.
Why Spread and Scale matters
Since its launch in 2019, the Spread and Scale Academy has trained more than 1000 learners across 250 project teams. These teams have gone on to scale improvements in areas such as climate action, patient flow, mental health, pharmacy, endoscopy, trauma informed care and digital innovation.
Participants consistently tell us that the Academy is catalytic. They leave with renewed confidence in themselves and their work, and with a clear pathway to turn good ideas into real change at scale.
As Paul Twose, Consultant Therapist and Spread and Scale Fellow, puts it:
“I am convinced that if we had not attended the Spread and Scale Academy it would have taken me my whole career to get where I am now. Instead it has only taken a couple of years.”
Fees and bursaries
Places on the Academy cost £1500 per person.
For Wales based NHS and publicly funded social care organisations, fees are fully covered by the Welsh Government Intensive Learning Academy funding.
Apply now
Applications are open until 8 January 2026.
To apply, teams will need:
- A project with evidence of success in at least one area
- A team of three to six people
- The commitment to scale their impact and take action
Apply now via the Dragon’s Heart Institute website:
https://dragonsheart.org/programme/spread-and-scale/
If you would like to discuss eligibility, bursaries or whether the Academy is right for your team, please get in touch with us.
Bring Spread and Scale to your organisation
If you are leading a larger programme of work or want to build capability across your organisation or system, the Dragon’s Heart Institute also offers bespoke Spread and Scale events. These range from one day workshops to full three day academies, tailored to the needs of your teams and aligned with your strategic goals.
