The Rank Foundation

Time to Shine Showcase 2020

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In March, The Rank Foundation hosted a virtual Showcase to celebrate and demonstrate the work of the 2020 Time to Shine leaders.

No one could have predicted the challenges they would face both professionally and personally with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Time to Shine leaders persevered and the recent showcase highlighted their adaptability and how they continued to fulfil and exceed expectations of their role within their charity.

As we say farewell to the 2020 cohort as Time to Shine leaders, we are excited for their careers and the journey ahead of them. We feel privileged to have seen first-hand their impact in the UK social sector over the past year. All the team at The Rank Foundation feel inspired by their vulnerability in demonstrating their personal development and their creativity shone through in the videos each group produced.

We have loved getting to know the leaders and managers and welcoming them to The Rank Foundation.

Please watch the videos below to gain insight into the leaders Time to Shine 2020 journey:

Checking in with Plymouth

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The Rank Foundation began Place-Based funding in Plymouth back in 2018 after rolling out place-based Engaged Philanthropy models in Hull and Dundee. Plymouth has become a fantastic place of collaboration, friendship and learning. 2020 has been a year of evaluation and reflection, and we would like to share with you some of partnerships and work undertaken in the area. There are three separate publications each of which is intended to give readers an overview of just some of the outstanding work being undertaken by the thirty social enterprises which Rank is supporting as part of the Plymouth place-based programme. Click on each of the report titles below or visit our Plymouth page here for more information.

Emma Ridley
Plymouth Project Officer

Upshot in Plymouth: an Evaluation
Upshot is a performance management tool which is used by many of The Rank Foundation-supported organisations. For some, it is a condition of their grant that they use this evaluation tool in order to provide evidence of their work, set targets for themselves and measure their impact within the community.

The brochure highlights those ambitious targets, their geographical reach, evidenced-based media and some rich case studies. It provides an interesting mix of quantitative analysis with qualitative material, particularly those stories which detail how they have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reflections on the Plymouth RISE Programme
Iridescent Ideas was commissioned to reflect on the Plymouth place-based programme after the initial two years of The Rank Foundation’s presence in the City.

The report explores how effective the RISE programme has been, what has worked well on the programme, how it has furthered the development of the social enterprise sector across the City plus suggested future actions.

Plymouth: Collaboration in Action

 This brochure highlights just some of the amazing work the Rank Foundation-supported organisations in Plymouth have produced when they collaborate. Absolutely inspirational.

Covid19 Update – June 2020

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Nearly one-third of lower-paid employees have lost jobs or been furloughed, compared to less than one-in-ten top earners: in numerical terms that is around 7 million jobs overall. The Resolution Foundation reports ‘significant anxiety’ amongst those furloughed as to immediate and future prospects, especially as furloughing is likely to obscure or hide future job losses. On this we might not see a clear picture until the year end.

About one million under 25s hit the labour market for the first time each year, mostly in the third quarter, and it unlikely that we will see any significant economic recovery before then. Given the predicted degree of economic contraction, there is little doubt that the young will bear the heaviest burden of this post pandemic recovery. With an extra 600,000 young people likely to be added to existing unemployment figures in the coming year, the challenge for the young is likely to eclipse those experiences of 2008: we are mindful that Rank’s exemplar leadership programme, Time to Shine, emerged from the rubble of the financial crash nearly 12 years ago.

Why do we mention this? Because Rank’s long standing interest in challenging inequality, especially around issues of social mobility and the emphasis we have placed on encouraging and supporting a generation of young, enterprising leaders is not likely to disappear. We might frame it differently, but we sense the need for greater focus and to ensure that our resources are maximised to greater effect.

As an ‘engaged’ funder the Foundation has concentrated on meeting the needs of its 450 strong network of organisations: ‘RankNet’ has grown steadily over recent years. If you are funded by Rank, then, by definition, you are part of the network and, through this, you have access to a range of funds, activities and support.

Governed by an elected group of ‘social leaders’, working closely with the Rank executive, we have been operating two funds for the last 8 weeks: an Emergency Fund (for small capital or training needs) and the uncapped Resilience Fund, created for those in the network experiencing immediate shortfalls in planned income, especially around meeting cashflow needs. Both of these operate with a short turnaround – anything considered by the weekly Resilience Fund committee is paid a few days later.

Through both of these funds, we have made 107 grants and supported 88 organisations. What is interesting, especially regarding the Resilience Fund applications, is that the size of the respective ask has been relatively modest with an average request of around £16K, perhaps reflecting the respect and understanding gained through existing relationships?

We have also followed up with 15 of those organisations recently supported, to assess the immediate impact of our grant whilst trying to better understand the complexities and significance of their respective challenges, and how we might better help going forward. But there is no doubt as to the significance of the uncertainty felt amongst our RankNet leaders, where for some the real crunch might not be felt for another 6 – 12 months.

The Rank team has also been busy managing the wider needs of our network including supporting our various leaders (including those furloughed) as part of our Time to Shine (T2S) or Rank Aspire Programme (RAP) and the Leadership Award holders. Part of this is the decision to consider extending those on our current schemes, where applicable, not just because of the upheaval caused by the pandemic but mindful of the challenges of leaving these schemes at a time when new job opportunities will be severely limited.

Adapting quickly to ‘remote’ working has ensured that we have been able to continue with much of our routine support of the network including the management of our place-based and social enterprise programmes. Across the network, we have run nearly 60 ‘Zoom’ events for some 550 people since lockdown. We have been struck by how responsive our members have been, building on the strength of strong networks and a mutual understanding on how powerful collaboration and partnerships can be.

The coordinated effort to help feed the most impoverished and the most vulnerable in Dundee, has been led, for most part, by a Rank funded coalition. As we look across RankNet, we have been overwhelmed by stories of exceptional practice, of innovation and, above all, of strong, community centred leadership: this is what we see as ‘engaged philanthropy’ in action. But ‘food poverty’ is but one strand of many, from digital poverty to poverty of opportunity, especially regarding the young, where other issues around mental health and well-being will sharpen our focus over the coming months.

What next? Mindful that the dust is yet to settle, we will look to ensure that the Foundation is well set to meet these emerging challenges, deepening our understanding of the opportunities this engaged, focused approach can bring. But more than ever, Rank is willing to collaborate and share with our partners, both within and outside of our network and across the various sectors, as the challenge to ‘reset, recover, rebuild and renew’ begins.

Our Plymouth: Working Collaboratively During Covid19

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During the Coronavirus crisis, Our Plymouth has partnered with POP+, Together for Devon and Plymouth City Council to help with the Good Neighbours Scheme. The Good Neighbours Scheme is a space for volunteers, community groups and charities to come together and help some of Plymouth’s most vulnerable residents throughout this difficult time.

By Emma Ridley
Plymouth Project Officer

In total, 700 people have stepped forward to volunteer, however, the scheme currently has more volunteers than it does opportunities; this is something that is being mirrored throughout the country. And although this is really positive and a great position to be in, it also has its own frustrations.

People who have been offering to volunteer are being kept on a database. The elected councillor of the volunteer programme has been writing to them to thank them for their service and to also keep them in the loop, so they are aware of what is going on. If there are no available opportunities, they aren’t just being ignored, they receive regular updates and are notified if any positions become available.Our Plymouth volunteers are helping with a mixture of services, including Age UK, British Red Cross, as well as providing welfare checks and doing food deliveries. Other members of the Good Neighbours Scheme are doing prescription collections and deliveries. Organisations that usually work alone have come together with a collaborative approach, which has been really powerful in the city.Our Plymouth are now focusing on how they manage this moving forward; they are mindful that a lot of people currently volunteering will eventually return to their normal jobs. Martin Mills from Our Plymouth said: “We are hoping that when this pandemic comes to an end, there will be more citizens in the community who notice the positive impact of volunteering. People are starting to realise the benefits of their own happiness by doing something good for someone else.”The Covid-19 pandemic created some massive challenges for Our Plymouth, as well as many other organisations. However, because of the RISE Trade Up programme, they have had the opportunity to re-visit their business plan, which has allowed them to re-direct funds online to help with their volunteer programme. Martin said: “The RISE programme has made it easy for us to pivot, because we have been able to adapt our cash flow and business plan. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the Rank Foundation.”

The Future is Social

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By Emma Ridley
Plymouth Project Officer

In 2019, the Rank Foundation and the School for Social Entrepreneurs Dartington (SSE), supported nine Social Enterprises in Plymouth. They provided training and funding to these organisations, to help create positive change in some of Plymouth’s most disadvantaged areas.

On Thursday 27th February 2020, crowds gathered at The Plot in Plymouth, where people came together to celebrate the success of the RISE Match Trading Programme over the past 12 months.

The event gave people the opportunity to showcase their work, this included things such as food stalls, information stands, speeches, videos, photography, live demonstrations, virtual reality and a sewing workshop.

“The event this evening, where we are celebrating the outcomes of the first RISE Match Trading programme, are evidence that the programme is having a tremendous effect.”

Phil Davies, Rank Associate for Plymouth

There are over 200 Social Enterprises and Community Businesses in Plymouth, who collectively employ over 9,000 people in the local area. As a result, this has a positive impact on the city; not only does it give individuals jobs within a meaningful sector, but it also means that these businesses can continue to grow and develop.

Now, 10 new organisations have joined the RISE Match Trading Programme, taking the total to 19 participants. The new group will have the opportunity to get together with the original 9 organisations throughout the year to share their experiences as well as looking at opportunities to collaborate with one another.

The Future is Social event was a great environment for like-minded individuals to get together and share ideas, celebrate achievements, and simply cheer each other on.

An exciting year lies ahead, and we can’t wait to see all the great things these organisations continue to do in the city.

For more information on the RISE Match Trading Programme, click here.

Blog: Is argumentation socially beneficial?

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I think the world would be a better place if we could learn how to argue with each other better. I’m not talking about shouty and aggressive interactions; which are ultimately a combination of clamorous monologues masked as conversation. I’m talking about the ability to converse with others, as a way of making sense of the world and our ideas, beliefs and biases.

Individual reasoning can only really be improved by seeing or hearing a different point of view. It’s the basis of restorative practice, of conflict and healing resolution and also, in my view, of community development. Imagine if you had never been challenged on your beliefs or perceptions? What might you have done that you would now regret? In my adult life I’ve changed my mind on so many issues relating to religion, politics, class, family and yes, even pensions. If I’d never been encouraged or challenged to consider different world views or had the privilege of listening to the personal histories and stories of others, my views would not have shifted and that means that I would have missed the opportunity to grow and develop and evolve.

Arguments that are one way or aggressive are harmful and counterproductive. I’m talking about argumentation, which is an art form; its reciprocal, it’s articulating a world view, it’s being open to hearing another perspective, it’s about having the ability to change your mind and the confidence to communicate it. Essentially, it requires a certain quality within a relationship. And it’s been on my mind a lot recently due to a lack of argumentation in the EU referendum which wasn’t a sophisticated debate but a ruthless cock fight, using high grade PR tricks in place of sticks and stones. And this is the key; for argumentation to happen there has to be connections and relationships to wider networks.  In other words, access to a range of views is productive.

Research highlights that relationships are pivotal to increasing community capital, defined as ‘the sum of assets including relationships in a community and the value that arises from these’. The 2015 RSA Report (insert link) highlights that knowing someone in a position to change things or to offer practical help is an indicator of community capital. And access is uneven, with 60% of people surveyed not knowing anyone who could influence or change things locally. The main outcome of the research was this; people fare better when they have good relationships around them. We need relationships and networks.

At The Rank Foundation, we continuously seek to understand the barriers to community capital. We work in collaboration to identify joint intentions and implement solutions. We want all people to know at least one person they can turn to for practical help or to influence change. Connected communities are stronger communities. And it is in this spirit that we look to invest in and develop our own network; so that we can engage in argumentation, so that we can articulate our world view as well as really listen to others, so that we remain open to change, so that we evolve.

RankNet is the bedrock to this commitment. We will create the conditions for all of our grant funded projects, people and places to seek support, share learning, access opportunities, ask for practical help and connect with someone who can influence change.

Please let us know if you disagree.

Kai Wooder, Assistant Director – Enterprise

The RankNet Planning Group is, as much as possible, representative of Rank Foundation funded projects and programmes UK wide.  The Planning Group meets quarterly to review ongoing network activity and contribute to the annual conference.  The RankNet digital platform will be launched later this year – more information to follow.