Making a Difference Programme (Programme Paused)

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 twice: once in Michaelmas term and again in Hilary term.

PAST PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Group sessions

The learning programme will be delivered over three afternoon sessions on a Friday. The third workshop will be followed by a panel session with an opportunity for networking over drinks. The workshops will be an interactive mix of presentations, guest speakers and group activities covering Leadership Mindset and Skillset; Commercial Skillset and People and Governance. In addition, there will be a presentation skills session and online training in consultancy skills to access at your convenience. In-person sessions (Friday afternoons) will take place at the Careers building, 56 Banbury Road, on:

WORKSHOP 1: Strategy and structure

 Friday 30 January 2026 at the Careers building

Arrival at 13:45-14:00 Tea, coffee and biscuits and a chance to network with fellow participants

From 14:00-16:30 Workshop.

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.)

WORKSHOP 2: Value creation

 Friday 6 February 2026, at the Careers building

Arrival at 13:45-14:00 Tea, coffee and biscuits and a chance to network with fellow participants

From 14:00-16:30 Workshop.

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
  • How we think about brand and why it matters
  • Brand strength - a framework for internal and external value creation

WORKSHOP 3: People and governance

 Friday 13 February 2026, at the Careers building

Arrival at 13:45-14:00 Tea, coffee and biscuits and a chance to network with fellow participants

From 14:00-16:30 Workshop.

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
  • Stakeholder engagement
• Context, culture and career development
  • Context: The five-generation workplace
  • The importance of culture, how we motivate talent and think about career opportunity

The workshop is followed by a panel discussion and an opportunity for participants to connect with speakers, professionals, volunteers and careers advisers working in this sector. This will be an informal session with drinks and will provide opportunities for conversation and connection.

Speaker Panel and Networking Reception, 17:00-19:00

Team project

The team project is an integral element of the programme. You will work in a team to address a real business problems set by a charity or social enterprise. You will be assigned to a team and client at the start of programme and will be asked to view a consulting skills training video after the first workshop. The client project will start in week 5 and continue through weeks 6, and 7 before a final presentation to your client in week 8. We will run a presentation skills training session to help you prepare for your final client meeting.

  The project is a voluntary learning and development opportunity and is unpaid. The aim of the project is to allow participants to build experience in this sector and employability skills (such as skills in client relationships, consulting, research, teamwork and presentation).  

Team Presentations and Graduation event

We culminate the programme with each team sharing their client work and presentations, and reflecting on shared learnings. We celebrate with an in-person graduation event for the whole cohort.

The graduation of our inaugural cohort in 2024-2025 enjoyed the support of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey, Sir Stephen Bubb, Chair of the Gradel Institute, and Isabel Berwick, who leads the FT’s Working It brand.  

The programme will provide an insight into the people, challenges, models, and good practice for working in the business of social purpose, charities, foundations and social enterprises. Structured through themes of: Strategy and structure, Value creation, and People and governance, the approach is collaborative, interactive and interdisciplinary. Our client partners are integral to our shared value model, where we engage our cohort on a range of real-world challenges. Ultimately, we aim to tackle some of the bigger questions around sustainable and systemic change and how we can choose to be part of the solution. Join us in how to make a difference, for good!  

The learning activities and team projects with a charity or NJFP will offer participants development opportunities across key employment skills: team working, communication, initiative, creativity, planning, self-management, business awareness and leadership.

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 5 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.

Outcomes

At the end of the programme, participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate to prospective employers a broad understanding of the charitable and NJFP sectors
• Show an understanding of the strategy and structure; finance fundamentals; unique dynamics
• Share examples of strong brands in the sector
• Have confidence in collaboration, teamwork and networking
• Demonstrate skills in consulting, communication and presenting
• Ask informed and relevant questions at interviews

Hilary term 2026 programme schedule

* Please note that there may be some changes to these times depending on client availability. Client meeting times will be confirmed on your project brief at the start of the programme.