This programme may encourage some students to enter the charity sector immediately, while others may work in the sector alongside other roles, for example, volunteering, or serving as a Young Trustee or as a school governor. Others may combine the roles by working in professional services that support charities and social enterprises.
Taking place over two terms, Making a Difference is made up of inspiring guest speaker sessions in three different colleges and at the Careers Service, a group project in a local charity or social enterprise addressing a real business problem, and in-person training.
Making a Difference is a skills development programme from the Careers Service and Somerville and Worcester colleges developed exclusively for Oxford University students.
Application
There are 50 places available for the programme. The selection process consists of a short application form on CareerConnect. Successful applicants are offered a place on the programme and then invited to a launch event for the programme.
Selection
After applications close on 18 October 2024, successful applicants will be offered a place on the programme by 25 October 2024 (Friday of Week 2) and then invited to a launch event and first workshop for the programme on 1 November 2024. (Friday of Week 3).
Programme structure
The Making a Difference programme consists of a blend of learning activities and range of experiences: you will learn and work individually, in small teams and as a whole group. The programme will run through Michaelmas term and Hilary term.
Group sessions
The learning activities will be delivered over three afternoon sessions on a Friday, followed by an inspiring speaker and drinks/canapes reception in our supporting colleges. The sessions will be an interactive mix of presentations, guest speakers and group activities covering a range of content relating to starting and sustaining a new venture. They will take place at the Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road, on:
Strategy and structure
1 November 2024, 14:00-16:30, at the Careers Service
GUEST SPEAKER: Colin Dyer, CEO, Leukaemia Care.
Opening talk by Sir Stephen Bubb, Executive Director of the Gradel institute of Charity at New College.
This begins with our reason for being, clarity on how we are part of the solution, and the strategy and structure that underpins everything that we do.
- Understanding needs and opportunity
- Vision, Strategy and planning (Theory of Change, Business planning, etc.)
- Impact measurement and reporting
- Legal structures, regulatory frameworks (Charity Commission, etc.)
Training followed by:
Friday 1 November, 17:00, at Worcester College
Fireside chat moderated by Worcester College Provost David Isaac CBE in conversation with:
- Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles is a passionate advocate for social justice, a tireless activist, author, creative researcher and compelling public speaker. Her work is around tackling community problems caused by inequalities.
- Brooks Newmark is currently working on his DPhil on Education Reform in Rwanda. He was a Member of Parliament and Minister for Civil Society in the UK Government before returning to Oxford in 2015. Prior to entering politics, Brooks was a Senior Partner at Apollo Management LP, a leading Private Equity firm.
Value creation
8 November 2024, 14:00-16:30, at the Careers Service
GUEST SPEAKERS:
- Matt Beem, CEO, Kinetic
- Kathryn Eastwood, Director of Income and Employer Partnerships, The EY Foundation
- Jonathan Smith, Co-Founder, Skylark Works;
Value creation encompasses an understanding of both the finance fundamentals and unique characteristics of non-profits, and a wider lens on how to build and sustain ‘brand’ value.
- Finance fundamentals
-
Income and expenditure (Restricted and unrestricted)
-
Budgeting and financial planning
-
Fundraising and investment
- Brand value creation
Training followed by:
Friday 8 November, 17:00, at the Careers Service
Conversation hosted by the Careers Service Director, Jonathan Black, with:
- James Lewis is the Founder and Chief Executive of Action For Elders and has over 25 years experience in the non profit sector at a senior level.
- Matt James is the Chief Executive at WellChild, the national charity for sick children.
- Kathryn Eastwood is Director of Income and Employer Partnerships and sits on the Leadership Team at the EY Foundation, a social mobility charity committed to enhancing the employability and earnings potential of young people from low-income backgrounds in the UK.
People and governance
15 November 2024, 14:00-16:30, at the Careers Service
GUEST SPEAKER: Daisy O'Reilly-Weinstock, Senior Director, Good Innovation
Great organisations need good leadership, robust governance and inspiring cultures. The session will cover:
- Characteristics of good governance
- Organisational structure
- Leadership
- The Board and Trustees
- Staff and volunteer roles
- The wider ecosystem of influence and impact
- Context, culture and career development
- Context: The five-generation workplace
- The importance of culture, how we motivate talent and think about career opportunity
Training followed by:
Friday 15 November, 17:00, at Somerville College
Conversation hosted by Baroness Jan Royall, with:
- Neeta Patel CBE was CEO of the Centre for Entrepreneurs and New Entrepreneurs Foundation. She is an experienced executive with over 25 years of strategy and operational leadership experience in launching new ventures, business turnarounds and change, with a sharp focus on impact, growth and revenues. Prior to joining the New Entrepreneurs Foundation, Neeta worked in Private Equity advisory, matching technology entrepreneurs with investors. Neeta held senior positions at Thomson Financial (Reuters), Legal & General PLC, Financial Times Group and at the British Council.
You are expected to attend all three Friday afternoon workshops and evening events
While we understand there can be last-minute events that take priority, please plan to attend all the sessions.
Team project
The team project is an integral element of the programme. Closely modelled on the successful and popular Oxford Strategy Challenge (“TOSCA”), you will work in a team to address a real business problems set by a charity or social enterprise, probably part of the Oxford Inclusive Economy Partnership. You will be assigned to a team and be introduced to the client before Christmas, receive the training in early Hilary term and then work with the client in weeks 1-5.
Note that the project is a voluntary learning and development opportunity and is unpaid.
Graduation event
We will wrap up the programme with an in-person graduation event for the whole group in mid-Hilary term, probably hosted at a supporting college and with an external speaker. This will be an opportunity to reflect on and share your experiences and learning, as well networking with others.
Programme commitment
We recognise that participants on learning and development programmes, have to fit these programmes around their academic work, and that academic work takes priority. How much time you can spend each week will necessarily vary depending on your other commitments; we have observed previous participants spending an average of 8-10 hours / week.
This programme is both interactive and collaborative. As you will be working in a collective and in teams, please liaise with your colleagues so that each member’s peaks and troughs in availability can be covered. If you do have to drop your hours for a short period to address an academic work peak, then please be professional and let your team members know.
