Registering and Operating my 'Industry Experience Charity'
Discussion
I am looking for some general guidance on setting up (what I think would be considered) a charity in the UK. I’ve had this idea for a while and would like to give something back to my industry, and more importantly, local community. I really do have the enthusiasm for it, but I’m a bit lost with the procedural set-up and registration of such a concept. I have spent some time on the relevant GOV UK websites, but am still not sure.
I have worked for a number of years in my particular industry and can clearly see a gap appearing in my home region, where young people simply aren’t joining our industry. This has created somewhat of a shortage of appropriately trained people, but has also opened up some good opportunities for people who are able to find a way in. I have worked with a number of organisations, clients and industry figures so am quite well connected. I also have a couple of my peers interested in my concept, who have a similar standing in the industry.
The premise I have is to essentially engage local private sector businesses in the industry, in an attempt to facilitate short-term (between one week and four weeks) work experience placements for post-school but pre-university (i.e. sixth form college aged) local young adults who are interested. Potential candidates would apply and myself (and the other ‘board members’) would suitably place them so the relationship is, as far as possible, mutually beneficial. The intention would be to work with (or partner with) a local college (I have one in mind) who would be able to provide information to potentially interested candidates.
The USP (for want of a better phrase) is that the ‘charity’ will be able to leverage opportunities that college careers advisors may not typically be able to, due to having access to contacts in the industry.
The businesses get an increased profile in the local community, an understanding of their organisation by potential future talent and the opportunity to develop their own people via these short-term mentoring opportunities.
The candidates have the opportunity to get a flavor of the industry they may (or may not) be considering as a potential career, access to invaluable practical work experience, honest and first-hand feedback on areas for development and the opportunity to network with potential future employers.
The ‘charity’ would do the leg work to make the process as smooth as possible for the businesses and the candidates. The process would run annually (e.g. secure opportunities in Q1, accept and review applications in Q2, placements to run in Q3 over the academic summer holiday). Realistically, we would be looking at approximately five good-quality placements in the first year, and hopefully grow from there. Quality not quantity. I do not believe this would require and unreasonable amount of time to administer, based on the potential benefits.
We would be 100% volunteer run by people in our local industry. I do not (at this time) foresee any money moving through the business; the volunteers would secure the opportunities and review the profiles of suitable candidates to find good matches. That would be the ‘business’ of the organisation. Donations or any financial outgoings would not exist.
So my questions are:
- Is what I am suggesting a charity, or in fact something else?
- What do I need to do to register and get this underway? Does the ‘no money’ part alter anything?
- Any general guidance, pitfalls or flaws you can see in my plan?
- To an outsider, is this type of an idea sustainable, or even practical and useful?
Thanks!
I have worked for a number of years in my particular industry and can clearly see a gap appearing in my home region, where young people simply aren’t joining our industry. This has created somewhat of a shortage of appropriately trained people, but has also opened up some good opportunities for people who are able to find a way in. I have worked with a number of organisations, clients and industry figures so am quite well connected. I also have a couple of my peers interested in my concept, who have a similar standing in the industry.
The premise I have is to essentially engage local private sector businesses in the industry, in an attempt to facilitate short-term (between one week and four weeks) work experience placements for post-school but pre-university (i.e. sixth form college aged) local young adults who are interested. Potential candidates would apply and myself (and the other ‘board members’) would suitably place them so the relationship is, as far as possible, mutually beneficial. The intention would be to work with (or partner with) a local college (I have one in mind) who would be able to provide information to potentially interested candidates.
The USP (for want of a better phrase) is that the ‘charity’ will be able to leverage opportunities that college careers advisors may not typically be able to, due to having access to contacts in the industry.
The businesses get an increased profile in the local community, an understanding of their organisation by potential future talent and the opportunity to develop their own people via these short-term mentoring opportunities.
The candidates have the opportunity to get a flavor of the industry they may (or may not) be considering as a potential career, access to invaluable practical work experience, honest and first-hand feedback on areas for development and the opportunity to network with potential future employers.
The ‘charity’ would do the leg work to make the process as smooth as possible for the businesses and the candidates. The process would run annually (e.g. secure opportunities in Q1, accept and review applications in Q2, placements to run in Q3 over the academic summer holiday). Realistically, we would be looking at approximately five good-quality placements in the first year, and hopefully grow from there. Quality not quantity. I do not believe this would require and unreasonable amount of time to administer, based on the potential benefits.
We would be 100% volunteer run by people in our local industry. I do not (at this time) foresee any money moving through the business; the volunteers would secure the opportunities and review the profiles of suitable candidates to find good matches. That would be the ‘business’ of the organisation. Donations or any financial outgoings would not exist.
So my questions are:
- Is what I am suggesting a charity, or in fact something else?
- What do I need to do to register and get this underway? Does the ‘no money’ part alter anything?
- Any general guidance, pitfalls or flaws you can see in my plan?
- To an outsider, is this type of an idea sustainable, or even practical and useful?
Thanks!
Eric Mc said:
I see you are based in Australia. Most PHers with charity experience in the UK would not be able to offer meaningful advice as the charity rules and requirements in Oz might be quite different to those in the UK.
Well spotted, and thanks. I am currently in the process of relocating to Europe, hence me turning my attention back to this project. I confirm that this will be UK based and operated in UK.You mean like this and others: http://access-workplacements.org/about-us/
Or is yours industry specific?
Setting up a charity is not simple if you intend to be in it for the long term. Income (and expenditure) plans, governance arrangements and fit and proper persons running the organisation all need establishing. It's a laudable aim but needs a full business plan like any other venture to test if there is demand and funding to sustain.
Good luck!
Or is yours industry specific?
Setting up a charity is not simple if you intend to be in it for the long term. Income (and expenditure) plans, governance arrangements and fit and proper persons running the organisation all need establishing. It's a laudable aim but needs a full business plan like any other venture to test if there is demand and funding to sustain.
Good luck!
Edited by rog007 on Wednesday 4th November 11:34
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