Charity Next

Charity Next is a new initiative of The Prince’s Charities Foundation which exists to build strong, sustainable foundations for more effective cross-sector working between the public and voluntary sectors.

It takes bright and talented future leaders from the public sector and gives them the opportunity to contribute their skills and enthusiasm to key posts in the Third Sector, in order to build greater mutual understanding and encourage closer working.

The first Charity Next cohort was launched in the Autumn of 2008, formed of members of the Civil Service Fast Stream on secondment to a range of charities including ARK, Barnardos, Blenheim CDP, the British Heart Foundation, The Prince’s Trust, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment.

Following excellent feedback from participant individuals, departments and charities we are running an expanded scheme in 2009/10 - with approximately 15 placements available throughout the year. A number of participants have taken up roles during the autumn with charities including the National Osteoporosis Society, Notting Hill Housing and The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and we plan to phase in further roles in the winter and early spring.

The Charity Next Learning Network meets monthly to provide a forum for participants to share experiences, reflect on how what they learn from their secondments can drive and support their future career development and help them to champion effective cross-sector working as they progress in the Civil Service.

Charity Next participants gain an unparalleled insight into the pressures that Third Sector organisations today face, as well as the opportunity to make an impact in an area outside of their previous professional experience. Participating charities benefit by hosting a talented future leader whose skills, experience and vantage point from the Third Sector they might not otherwise be able to access.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved in Charity Next, please email Amanda Williams, Charity Next Project Director.