Case Study
Coventry Students Union
About Coventry Students Union
Client: Coventry University Students’ Union
Industry: Higher Education (Students’ Union / Charity)
Team Size: 100+ employees across multiple locations
Programmes: Digital Leadership Programme
Focus Areas: Skills Development, Leadership Growth, Accessible Learning
Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU) is a student-led, registered charity, independent from the university. It exists to represent the interests of students, provide a voice for change, deliver social activities, and offer vital support services that enhance student life.
With staff working across different campuses, locations, and hybrid setups, CUSU wanted to invest in their team’s growth and future career development while ensuring the training was accessible and engaging for everyone.
The Challenge
CUSU recognised the importance of developing leadership skills across its workforce. They needed a flexible, digital-first programme that would:
- Support professional and personal skills development
- Give staff opportunities to grow and prepare for future leadership roles
- Provide an accessible, inclusive solution for a geographically dispersed team
- Deliver fresh, relevant content tailored to today’s workplace challenges
Why Make Strides
After reviewing options, CUSU chose Make Strides for several reasons:
- Digital delivery: Accessible to all staff, regardless of location or working pattern
- Institute of Leadership Accreditation: Recognised, high-quality content
- Fresh and relevant modules: Modern training designed for today’s workplace
- Supportive approach: A partner willing to accommodate organisational needs
The Programme
Participants enrolled in the Digital Leadership Programme, designed to help employees gain new skills, apply them in their roles, and feel invested in by their organisation.
Early feedback:
“The content is easy to access and apply. It feels relevant to my role and is helping me think differently about leadership.”
The Impact
While the programme is still in progress, CUSU has already seen:
- Positive early feedback from participants about the quality and accessibility of content
- Steady progress through modules despite different schedules and working patterns
- Increased engagement in leadership conversations and professional development opportunities
“Make Strides has been very helpful and accommodating of our needs. The digital format makes it easy for all our staff to access leadership development training, no matter where they’re based.”
Looking Ahead
CUSU is committed to continuing to invest in its people, building future-ready leaders who can have a positive impact both within the Students’ Union and in their future careers. With Make Strides as a trusted partner, CUSU plans to keep offering accessible, high-quality learning opportunities that fit the needs of a modern, diverse workforce.
