Time to Shine

Its purpose is twofold:

• To give individuals with the right skills and approach the experience of a 12-month paid leadership and development placement in a charity
• To fill developmental or skills gaps in smaller charities by identifying a project that can be completed in 12-months

Time to Shine aims to develop capacity and bring about sustainable improvements to the charity’s performance while improving employment prospects and building interest in career opportunities within the social sector.

The leadership programme incorporates personal development activities for both the Time to Shine (T2S) leader and their line manager. This includes attending residential events. The T2S leader will also take part in Action Learning sets throughout the year and can benefit from additional support provided by an experienced mentor from within the Rank Network.

Both line manager and T2S leader will have access to RankNet, Rank Network's online platform, providing further networking, training and development opportunities and sector support.

Each year charities are invited to apply, outlining a priority, organisational development gap and what difference a leader would make in addressing this need.

Charities are shortlisted and then the charity identifies an individual with the skills and talent to carry out the leadership programme.

Rank and the National Lottery Community Fund interview both the line manager and the prospective leader to ensure that they both understand the role and the structures needed for the T2S leader.

At the start of Time to Shine the line manager and leader are both invited to a launch conference. This is important as it is an opportunity to learn about Time Shine and meet the other leaders and line managers. Through this meeting new support networks are often built.

Each Time to Shine placement is designed around the needs of the charity. It offers the opportunity to test new areas of work that may lead to a permanent post or new system (not funded by Rank).

Charities and social enterprises address many significant and deep-seated problems in society such as bullying, knife crime, food poverty, loneliness and rural isolation.

The host organisations may face different challenges but share similar organisational needs, such as marketing, finance, fundraising, research, social media and I.T. systems.

Time to Shine Leaders are recruited for their skills and work ethic, to address business needs. Over the 12-month period, they improve the host charities capacity for the longer term.

Traditionally organisations are invited to apply for the scheme by Rank's staff team.

Applying organisations must meet regional and thematic criteria set by The Rank Foundation and shared on invitation to apply.

The next Time to Shine programme starts in January 2025.