From 16 to 20 June 2025, personnel from the Joint Hospital Group Southwest (JHGSW), based in Plymouth, swapped hospital corridors for surfboards and strategy maps during Exercise Kernow Trident, held across RAF St Mawgan and with Newquay Activity Centre. This provided an essential dynamic training experience designed to sharpen leadership potential, encourage teamwork and demonstrate the ability to think under pressure.
Throughout the week, JHGSW personnel were divided into teams and faced high-pressure fictional scenarios, testing their ability to lead, collaborate and make critical decisions under stress. But it wasn’t all desk-based, navigational challenges along Cornwall’s rugged coast and adrenaline-packed adventure training at Newquay Adventure Centre, including coasteering and surfing, added physical grit to the mental grind.
Inside the classroom, participants tackled impromptu presentations, each given a random topic and five minutes to deliver with poise and precision; essential skills in any leadership setting.
After days of action and brainpower, camaraderie took centre stage with a well-earned BBQ and a lively quiz night. Some individuals chose to use their free time to enjoy a magical evening watching Gary Barlow perform at the Eden Project.
Exercise Kernow Trident wasn’t just about leadership development, it gave participants an invaluable window into their personal leadership styles, provided tools to better guide and grow their teams and created lasting friendships along the breathtaking Cornish coast.
