Lecture 18 - Charity sector

Question 1

What else is the charity sector referred to as?

Answer 1

third sector, not-for-profit sector, community sector, civic sector or voluntary sector

Question 2

What do jobs in the charity sector involve?

Answer 2

• working for organisations where the aim is positive social change as opposed to monetary gain
• individual charities typically have a specific focus such as housing
• working for a smaller charity means that you are likely to have to take on multiple responsibilities, whereas you are more likely to have a more specific professional role in a larger charity

Question 3

What are the 15 different roles you can have in the charity sector?

Answer 3

1. advice worker
2. campaigns assistant
3. celebrity manager
4. charity director
5. charity fundraiser
6. charity officer
7. community arts worker
8. community development worker
9. community education officer
10. grants assistant
11. housing officer
12. international aid/ development worker
13. policy / research assistant
14. volunteer coordinator
15. youth worker

Question 4

Advice worker?

Answer 4

provide free, impartial, confidential advice and information to clients on a range of issues

Question 5

Campaigns assistant?

Answer 5

• you’ll help with developing material to be used in the charity’s fundraising activities
• can involve writing press releases, emails and letters, producing e-campaign materials and general admin tasks

Question 6

Celebrity manager?

Answer 6

responsible for developing a portfolio of VIP supporters and managing these relationships across the organisation

Question 7

Charity director?

Answer 7

have to develop a charity’s services, generate income and raise awareness for the cause

Question 8

Charity fundraiser?

Answer 8

involves increasing the contributions of individuals and groups to a charity by building relationships and exploring new fundraising opportunities

Question 9

Charity officer?

Answer 9

focus on a specific area, such as business development, marketing, public relations, fundraising or volunteer management

Question 10

Community arts worker?

Answer 10

collaborate with local groups and individuals, encouraging the use of artistic activities to support their development and improve their quality of life

Question 11

Community development worker?

Answer 11

helping communities to bring about social change and improve the quality of life in their local area

Question 12

Community education officer?

Answer 12

organise and promote participation in local education or training opportunities, including skills in literacy and numeracy

Question 13

Grants assistant?

Answer 13

provide administrative support to funding/fundraising departments and help to research and make new grant applications

Question 14

Housing officer?

Answer 14

assess the needs of people applying for housing, carry out inspections, deal with anti-social behaviour and broken tenancy agreements, set rents, attend meetings and work with other agencies such as social services

Question 15

International aid/ development officer?

Answer 15

role is all about meeting the needs of people and communities in the developing world

Question 16

Policy/ research assistant?

Answer 16

provide general support to the policy and research teams and will need a high level of written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to gather, understand and analyse complex information

Question 17

Volunteer coordinator?

Answer 17

manage volunteers and their relationships with those they come into contact with, including employees and service users of a charity

Question 18

Youth worker?

Answer 18

guide and support young people in their personal, social and educational development to help them reach their full potential

Question 19

What are some pros of working in the charity sector?

Answer 19

• have a job with a ‘feel good factor’
• good work flexibility

Question 20

What are some cons of working in the charity sector?

Answer 20

• low salaries
• less job security
• work related stress

Question 21

Graduate employers and schemes?

Answer 21

• Charityworks is the primary talent and leadership programme for the UK charity sector
• Roles will vary depending on specific placements but the aim is to find a suitable match all round
• Some of their partner charities include Mind, NSPCC, Age UK, and Marie Curie Cancer Care for instance
• A similar graduate scheme is also available with Worthwhile
• Some charities also host their own paid trainee schemes, including Oxfam, Cancer Research UK, and Welcome Trust

Question 22

What are the 3 sector challenges?

Answer 22

1. service demand
2. finances
3. digital competence

Question 23

Service demand?

Answer 23

• One of the consequences of the covid pandemic has been an increase in the demand for charity services
• This is putting a strain on charities trying to meet the increase in demand

Question 24

Finances?

Answer 24

• The Charity Commission reported that 60% of charities have seen a loss of income during the pandemic
• Therefore charities need to work to increase their financial income and stability

Question 25

Digital competence?

Answer 25

• there has been rapid technological growth within the charity sector
• charities are seeking employees with digital skills