WHY
Every year, over 35,000 people come through the Nottingham Breast Institute. Each bringing their own story, hopes and worries. Behind every patient is a skilled, compassionate team, united by a shared commitment to outstanding care.
Following a period of change, the team wanted to pause, reflect, reconnect and strengthen the culture that underpins their work. They aimed to communicate more effectively, rebuild trust and ensure their teamwork remained as exceptional as the care they provide.
ICE was invited to walk alongside NBI on this journey, helping the team deepen relationships, enhance communication and grow together as a more connected, resilient and effective team.
HOW
To truly understand the NBI’s culture and aspirations, ICE began by listening. Our work is always a genuine partnership built on trust, openness and shared purpose. Together, ICE and the NBI created space for honest reflection, where every voice could be heard and valued.
Together, we co-designed a blended approach that included:
- Multi-disciplinary group sessions to bring colleagues together in reflection
- Narrative building to uncover and celebrate the stories of the team at its best
- A co-created communication charter that captured shared values, expectations, and ways of working.
Graphic scribing brought these conversations to life.
WHAT
This partnership showed that when people are invited to reconnect through shared purpose and lived values, care improves from the inside out.
Sparking honest reflection strengthened relationships across the Nottingham Breast Institute. Forming new connections and deepening existing ones.
Teams described feeling re-energised, more positive, and united by a renewed commitment to their shared values and goals.
This fresh sense of energy and trust has translated into daily practice: colleagues now communicate more openly, support one another more consistently, and remain focused on what matters most – outstanding patient care.
“these sessions surfaced stuff that’s been bubbling away for a long time!”
Participant
68%
Reported increased understanding from sessions connected multiple disciplines
47%
Recognised increased collaboration through co-creation that fuelled the Communication Charter
76%
Reported increased connection & deeper relationships
“It’s moved us forward. Now all we need to do is keep going and decide how best to display the Communication Charter”
NBI senior stakeholder
