Time to Shine FAQs2020-10-27T11:45:29+00:00
Does the grant cover full cost recovery?2021-07-21T10:17:25+01:00

No, the grant covers the salary, £2000 for NI/pension and a travel allowance. The organisation must match the full cost recovery element.

Are there any restrictions on which charities can apply for the programme?2020-07-14T11:15:18+01:00

Charities are invited to apply by The Rank Foundation or via The National Lottery Community Fund (subject to conditions). 

How do I check if the organisation is eligible to apply?2020-07-14T11:16:15+01:00

Eligible organisations will be contacted directly by The Rank Foundation. 

Does the charity need to provide evidence of the health check assessment?2020-08-03T14:39:31+01:00

The VCSE strength checker is a self-assessment, diagnostic tool which is available to assist organisations to identify capacity.  

What sort of projects does the leader undertake?2020-07-14T15:34:11+01:00

Time to Shine leaders work on all kinds of projects that demonstrate they will help the charity to grow e.g. Developmental fundraising, managing events, developing social media presence, digital marketing, research. 

Can an organisation request funding for more than one leader?2020-07-14T15:35:04+01:00

No. Funding is for one leader only.

How do I apply?2020-07-14T15:38:33+01:00

Charities complete the online application identifying a priority business development gap and outlining what difference a leader with the right skills set would make in addressing this need.  

What information is required at application stage? 2020-07-14T15:40:44+01:00

A role description and evidence of specified company policies is required at stageas well as financial information.  

Who provides the letter of support?2020-07-14T15:41:50+01:00

The letter of support is written by the organisation championing the potential leader.

How do the interviews work?2021-08-31T12:07:22+01:00

Regional interviews (via Zoom or in person) will take place in October/ November 2021.

The interview panel includes representatives from The Rank Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund and Time to Shine alumni. The potential leader and manager both attend on behalf of the organisation.  

Why does the leader attend the interview?2020-08-05T14:02:41+01:00

Time to Shine is a leadership programme and both the manager and the leader are participants.  The leader attends the interview to demonstrate to the panel that the essential criteria including skills set, underemployed statuswork ethic and interest in the social sector are met. 

When is the closing date for applications?2021-08-31T12:08:02+01:00

Applications close 20th September 2021

How does the organisation find a leader?2020-08-19T12:02:34+01:00

The organisation is responsible for recruiting a suitable leaderthis can be someone already volunteering, or they can be recruited to the specific role but should be underemployed or looking for their first career step into the social sector. 

As well as any interviews with the organisation, the preferred candidate will attend additional regional interview with the Rank Foundation.

Who employs the leader?2020-08-05T14:34:47+01:00

The organisation employs the leader and provides the contract of employment, treating them as any other employee on a one- year contract.

When does the Time to Shine programme start?2021-08-31T12:10:15+01:00

The programme starts in January 2022 (exact dates to be confirmed); the leader should have started in post with the organisation prior to the launch conference

How many hours should the leader work per week?2021-07-08T16:51:16+01:00

The Foundation funds full time employment for 12 months, the number of hours is determined by what the organisation deems ‘full time’ (between 35 – 37.5 hours per week). Applicants with disabilities, or health circumstances that prevent them from working full-time, are welcome to apply, but the work focus must be achieved within the 12-month period.

Can the role be offered as a job share?2020-08-05T14:39:30+01:00

Due to the nature of the programme including the action learning sets and residential events, job share is not suitable for this role

What is the Real Living wage?2021-07-08T16:52:04+01:00

This is specified by the Living Wage Foundation currently £9.50 per hour across the UK, £10.85 per hour in London.

Would someone who has previously been employed by an organisation be eligible as a Time to Shine candidate.2020-08-05T14:48:53+01:00

No, T2S is a leadership programme and does not replace existing roles where funding has ceased.  The programme gives the leader an opportunity to gain paid work experience while building and further developing the charity in some way. 

When does the contract start?2021-07-08T16:53:23+01:00

January 2022 before the launch conference. Leaders should start after confirmation of funding and the signed contract is returned to The Rank Foundation.

How does the manager participate in the programme?2021-07-21T10:00:54+01:00

The named line manager will be required to attend development days as specified in the contract. Mentoring and professional development is available through the network. 

What skills or qualifications does a leader need to enter the programme?2020-08-05T14:50:48+01:00

Each organisation will determine the specific skill set they need for the leader to undertake the T2S project/role. Individuals need the right mix of skills and talent to complete the 12-month project.

What resources does the organisation need to provide to support the leader on programme?2020-11-02T09:50:38+00:00

The organisation must provide a named line manager (employed by the organisation and working similar hours to the leaderto support the individual and commit time for the leader to undertake development. The organisation must be able to support the leader in a Covid19 context. 

Are leaders able to join the programme if they are unable to attend all events?2020-11-02T09:53:04+00:00

No, we require organisations to commit to leaders attending the development days (online and/or face-to-face) as specified in the contract to enable the leader to fully engage and benefit from the programme.  

We cannot make the launch/review events we have been allocated; can we change to another session?2021-07-21T10:10:13+01:00

The conference dates relate to each leaders set and will be specified in the contractorganisations are not able to select which dates they can attend.

How, and when, is funding provided?2021-07-08T17:04:36+01:00

The foundation establishes the final grant award once the contract is signed. This will be a split grant with the first instalment in January 2022.

What can the additional funding (£2000) be used for?2021-08-31T12:12:53+01:00

The £2000 is incorporated within the Time to Shine grant and can be used for any additional costs relating to the placement this could be NI/pension/other costs. 

This fund does not cover full cost recovery. Funded organisations are expected to provide supervision and management time alongside time for the T2Shiner and their manager to attend conferences, events, mentoring and other learning opportunities. 

How much is the travel allowance?2020-07-15T09:50:47+01:00

The travel allowance is calculated by Rank as a contribution towards travel and subsistence to the statutory programme events; the launch and review conference for T2S leaders and managers, action learning and annual conference for the T2S leaders. 

What bursary opportunities are available?2020-11-02T09:57:05+00:00

As members of RankNet, each leader and manager will be eligible to apply for up to £1000 in additional funding for training opportunities available through RankNet (subject to availability). 

What happens if the project contract is not fulfilled, if the leader leaves during the programme?2020-07-15T09:52:06+01:00

The named manager and leader are the participants in the programme and the grant cannot be transferred, The Rank Foundation will request a return of unspent funds and the proportion of the grant allocated for the leader’s role. 

What sort of evaluation reports will be required?2021-08-17T10:16:01+01:00

Reports are required to be submitted three times a year. Further evaluations may be requested at any point during the Time to Shine leadership year.

Is there a ‘core’ programme that leaders can expect throughout the Rank development and training days?2021-07-21T10:04:39+01:00

The programme is experiential and focuses on leadership skills and encourages personal development through the conferences, action learning and mentoring. 

What is action learning?2021-07-21T10:06:18+01:00

Action Learning forms part of the Leadership development days which take place during the programme. What is action learning? – Action Learning Associates

What other training is available?2020-08-05T15:06:11+01:00

Other self-led training opportunities are available through bursary funding accessed via RankNet (the foundation’s online community platform). 

How is a mentor allocated?2020-08-05T15:07:10+01:00

Mentors and mentees are matched according to their skills and the nature of the project. 

What support is available to managers?2020-07-15T10:15:06+01:00

Opportunities for networking support and training are available for managers at training/development as promoted via RankNet. 

Is there ongoing support available to leaders once the 12-month programme is finished?2020-08-05T15:13:46+01:00

Leaders can continue with membership of the RankNet online community platform and access various opportunities.  Leaders are also invited to join the Rank Fellowship. 

What sort of projects does the leader undertake?2020-07-22T14:21:15+01:00

Time to Shine leaders work on all kinds of projects that demonstrate they will help the charity to grow e.g. Developmental fundraising, managing events, developing social media presence, digital marketing, research. 

How does the organisation find a leader?2020-07-22T14:21:58+01:00

The organisation is responsible for recruiting a suitable leader; this can be someone already volunteering, or they can be recruited to the specific role but should be underemployed or looking for their first career step into the social sector. The organisation’s preferred candidate will attend an additional regional interview with the Rank Foundation. 

What can I expect at the Time to Shine interview?2020-07-22T14:22:34+01:00

The interview is informal; an interview panel includes representatives from the Rank Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund and a former Time to Shiner. The potential leader and manager both attend on behalf of the organisation. 

What happens if I cannot make the regional interview days?2021-07-08T17:07:38+01:00

Interview days are set to allow preparation and convening of the interview panels; an alternative time and venue is unlikely to be possible.  For application to 2022, interviews will take place face to face or via zoom during November, exact dates TBC.

What bursary opportunities are available?2022-08-08T15:28:05+01:00

Each leader and manager will be eligible to apply for up to £1000 in additional funding for training opportunities available through RankNet (subject to application and availability). 

What is RankNet?2020-08-05T10:36:51+01:00

A professional network of all Ranks currently funded organisations, where additional opportunities are advertised via our online community platform.

Taking into account the definition of ‘underemployed’ can someone who has just finished a degree be considered for the T2S leader role or must they already be in some form of work?2021-08-31T12:25:02+01:00

Applicants must either be unemployed or underemployed; they do not need to be working.

If you go to open recruitment would current staff be precluded from applying?2021-08-31T12:35:04+01:00

The Programme is aimed at providing an opportunity of paid employment to someone who is either unemployed or underemployed. We encourage you to consider potential candidates with lived experience from within your beneficiary or volunteer network and your own community.

Do we recruit from our local area, or is there access to other sources such as a centralised talent pool?2021-08-31T12:39:29+01:00

Organisations recruit their own prospective leader; there is no central talent pool. We encourage you to consider potential candidates with lived experience from within your beneficiary or volunteer network and your own community.

Do leaders need to be based full time in the premises or can they work flexibly including from home?2021-08-31T12:42:27+01:00

Leaders should be treated the same as permanent organisation staff, company policy should be in place to support mixed office/home-based working. The leader must be provided with the adequate resources, suitable equipment, and line management support to undertake this developmental role.

If we currently receive Lottery funding does this preclude application to this process?2021-08-31T13:18:15+01:00

No, organisations funded the TNLCF can apply if invited, subject to meeting the application criteria.

Could a current apprentice on a fixed term contract due to end before the programme begins qualify as underemployed and be eligible as a leader?2021-08-31T13:22:40+01:00

The aim of the programme is to provide a new opportunity to an individual looking to gain work experience in the social sector.

Do we have to recruit a candidate before we know if we are successful?2021-08-31T13:25:14+01:00

The first stage of the application process is around the organisation and proposed T2S project. If successful, both the Time to Shine line manager and leader will then attend a second interview with Rank. Funding is not confirmed until the interview with Rank has taken place.

Will the manager be funded to attend these conferences?2021-08-31T13:29:54+01:00

A travel allowance forms part of the grant to allow the T2S manager and leader to attend mandatory events as outlined in the guide and contract.

Can you define under-employed?2021-08-31T13:33:28+01:00

The prospective leader will not currently be in a substantive employment. They can be employed but the new role must have significantly increased responsibility.

What will happen at the end of the 12 months?2021-08-31T13:36:19+01:00

The Time to Shine task should be time limited and able to be completed within the year. While ongoing employment for the leader is advantageous, Rank has no expectation that the organisation will provide a post for the leader.

Can we pay the leader more than the real living wage if we fund ourselves?2022-08-08T15:14:55+01:00

This is an entry level role and Rank specifies the Real Living Wage to ensure parity across the programme. The current rate is £9.90 per hour across the UK or £11.05 London rate. Please contact the team to discuss further.

Would you consider a leader who is released for a year from another company?2021-08-31T13:40:07+01:00

No, leaders cannot leave substantive employment to take on this opportunity.

Can we recruit a suitable person before applying to the programme and then transfer the recruit to the program?2021-08-31T13:41:01+01:00

No

If we wanted to employ someone with a learning disability, could we also qualify for funding for the support for them if they needed it?2021-08-31T14:10:52+01:00

We encourage applications from leaders across the whole of society. Rank do not provide specific funding to support candidates with specific learning disabilities. Leaders can apply for individual development bursaries to improve skills.

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