Time to Shine
A leadership programme for people who are just starting their career in the social sector to develop skills and confidence.
Since 2011, there have been almost 700 Time to Shine leaders. Each leader is employed by a charitable organisation in the UK and participate in residentials, action learning sets and leadership workshops.
The programme was set up in 2008 in response to the impact of the impending recession on Rank's Network.
The programme continued to run throughout the covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, offering vital support to smaller charities by bridging organisational gaps in times of great uncertainty.
In 2019 and 2020 we received grants from The National Lottery Community Fund and The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to expand the programme and support charities as they emerged from the pandemic.
Time To Shine
Impact Film
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.
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 April 2026.
Meet Time To Shine Leaders 2025
Poole Communities Trust
Aedan Coleman
Marketing and Young People's Support Worker
Borrow Don't Buy CIC
Alice Cottis
Fundraising Facilitator
Redeeming Our Communities Northern Ireland (ROCNI)
Amy Thomas
ROC Northern Ireland Fundraising Officer
Back on the Map
Caitlin Bannan
Community Led Housing Officer
MCR Pathways
Claire Elliot
Fundraising and Communications
The Advantage Foundation
Colm Teague
Engagement Officer: Outreach and Social Media
Greenhill YMCA
Conan Lennon
Events and Engagement Officer
Integrate UK
Cynthia Nchang
Marketing and Comms Coordinator
Artillery Youth Centre
Declan Murphy
Community based Art and Technology Worker
First Give
Elijah Kahn
Fundraising and Communications Officer
Simon Community Scotland
Gabi Froden
Learning and Development Content Creator
Generation Rhondda
Heather Hanson
Creative Arts Lead
Braw Tea CIC
Iona McCulloch
Community and Volunteer Engagement and Events Officer
Greggs Foundation
Jack Thomson
Systems Support
Project Trust
Jenny Shearer
Alumni Engagement
Fotonow CIC
Jess Scott
Media Producer (Community & Film)
The Parent Rooms
Jessica Corr
Communications and Marketing Officer
Elgin Youth Development Group
Julia Winkler
Youth Project Development Officer
Dark Horse Theatre
Katherine Hull
Digital & Social Media Content Co-Creator
Brave Church
Katie Minnis
Youth Evaluation Coordinator
Grace Enterprises
Katie Stanning
Communications & Business Development Associate
Shaper/Caper
Kerri Rodger
Administrative Assistant
Politics in Action
Kerry Fitzsimons
Data and Evaluation
Search Newcastle
Kerry Payne
Ynysybwl Regeneration Partnership (YRP)
Larissa Penny
Ynysybwl Vision - Development Officer
Space2 Leeds
Lauren Sutton
Fundraising and Income Generation
The Rank Foundation
Liz Wylie
Place Based Officer
Plymouth Scrapstore CIC
Macky Caul
Environmental Lead
KORI Youth Charity
Mehru Shahid
Fundraiser
Argyle Community Trust (PACT)
Melissa Harry
Community Facilities Assistant
Blackpool Carers Centre
Mia Hodkinson
Community Engagement Development Worker
Community Opportunities
Ngozi Angela Eikhenomian
Marketing Officer
Newington Day Centre
Niamh Maguire
Volunteer Coordinator
Neuro Therapy Centre
Olivia Marl
Fundraising Associate
The Rank Foundation
Rosalie Kerr
Alumni Development Officer
Camden Carers
Sarah Baker
Volunteer Development Manager
Pallion Action Group
Syeda Chowdhury
Community Development Officer
St Paul's Youth Forum
Teagan Vaughn
Fundraising Officer
Streetlife Trust
Tia Cleary
Lead Youth Navigator
Compass Advocacy Network (CAN)
Yuliia Zolotukhina
Digital Media Assistant
Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB)
Zoe Kyriacou
Fundraising & Events Coordinator
Easington Lane Community Access Point (ELCAP)
Zoe Trueman
Digital Transformation Coordinator
News and Stories
Blog Post: “Bringing My Whole Self to the Room: Lessons from Liverpool with Time to Shine”
Blog Post: “My time at the Rank Foundation: Supportive Leadership”
Blog Post: “A New Chapter – My First Steps as a Time to Shine Leader”