Being a small charity trustee Kindly hosted by The Clothworkers’ Company, London, 13 March 2017 @NPCthinks #NPCtrusteeship NPC - title of the document (can be changed under view/header and footer. Add date here if needed.

BEING A SMALL CHARITY TRUSTEE HARRY HOARE DIRECTOR & TRUSTEE UNIVERSIFY EDUCATION

agenda Introduction to Universify Education Our story so far Governance – how things work day-to-day Strategy and lessons learned

Introduction to UNIVERSIFY EDUCATION Universify’s mission is to address educational inequality: We run a year-long programme for Year 10 students from disadvantaged backgrounds Students attend a 6-day summer school at Oxford Ongoing academic coaching and a refresher course at Easter The course will have academic, university access and academic coaching strands Designed for motivated Year 10 students to enhance: Educational aspiration School attainment Application prospects to high demand universities In 2016 we worked with 41 students from 17 schools We aim to work with 3 colleges in oxford in 2017 before Cambridge and Warwick in 2018

Our story so far Universify grew organically out of a commercial summer school: 2010 Oxford Summer Courses founded with 30 international students. 2 week courses cost £2,345 2011 Harry joins Social Finance, working with charities and social enterprises to access finance for growth 2014 – conversations with Somerville following negative student press article however Governing Body doesn’t want “knee-jerk response” 2016 Universify Education founded and first cohort of 41 students attend course at Somerville in August 2016 Universify is currently being incubated by oxford summer courses over the next 3 years

governance Universify currently has 3 trustees and one Programme Officer: Harry Hoare Trustee, Director Rob Phipps Trustee George Hoare Trustee, Impact measurement Voiceover: Describe role of each trustee and their background Harry/Alex weekly meeting about operations Monthly meeting of all 4 re fundraising Alex Whitton Programme Officer Oxford Summer Courses is incubating the charity using a “lean” methodology

Lean methodology “Lean” means keeping costs to a minimum and driving value for beneficiaries: Office space – shared with Oxford Summer Courses Expertise – use of wider Oxford Summer Courses team (web development, accountancy, contacts with colleges) Operational Accommodation – benefit in kind from Somerville College Meals – covered be new donor to Somerville College Activities – “Bill Spectre” ghost tour as benefit in kind On-course staff – volunteer model Fundraising – not currently working (perhaps due to being under-resourced and area that requires charity-specific expertise) Our unit cost in year 1 was c.£200 compared to £800 for similar courses from a national charity

Strategy and lessons learned 1. Growth 2. Evidence 3. Sustainability Funding to increase student numbers Build relationships with schools and universities Focus on delivery Collect rigorous evidence to prove impact Use evidence to improve programme Widening participation offices pay for programme Schools contribute transport costs AIMS Balancing being lean with having enough time £nil raised so far College relationships difficult to develop Impact report reasonably costly How to track students after end of programme? What data do funders need? Widening participation offices fear new things Necessity to “be different” / have a unique selling point CHALLENGES We are trying to limit financial risk by raising funding before expanding student numbers

My one piece of advice: talk to everyone! Our development has been informed by many conversations with experts in the sector: Programme design – focusing on Year 10 to fill an existing gap School recruitment within target regions Collaboration with follow-on programmes The sector has been incredibly helpful and collaborative!

Any questions?

Being a small charity trustee Andrew Hudson 13 March 2017

Adjusting to the size … 40,000 5,000 1,000 1,000 180 6 35

Hackney Winter Night Shelter 9 trustees 4 staff 700 volunteers ??

The Old Church 10 board members 3 staff 100 volunteers

Recruit and induct well Specify skills Track them down Brief and interview carefully Do a proper induction Listen to new people, and keep listening

Prioritise what only trustees can do Strategy Resources Staff management Risk Evaluation Vision, Mission, Values

Keep learning and checking Specific/technical help Moral support Build networks Training

And things to avoid X Failing to change governance or management as the charity develops X Over-reliance on goodwill/trust X Delaying acting on concerns X Being less rigorous than in the office on documentation, contracts, etc

Good luck, and always looking for tips! Andrew Hudson 13 March 2017

Where do you look for help and guidance? ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION What are the biggest challenges you face as trustee of a small charity? How have you approached the challenges? Where do you look for help and guidance? How do you get the skills and experience you need onto your board? How do you balance your operational and governance roles? Will you do anything differently as a result of today?