Walcot Futures Programme

The students we support in further and higher education often lack what is called ‘social capital’: the connections and contacts that enable others, from better off backgrounds, find work experience and gain introductions, all of which can strengthen CVs and future prospects.

Could we, in some small way, replicate those benefits?

The Walcot Futures Programme offers 2-3 Walcot-funded undergraduates (or recent graduates) a chance to get an inside look at how a progressive grant-making foundation works. The one-year programme offers:

• an induction and briefing on charities, foundations and charity governance
• attendance at meetings of the Board of Governors and participation in meetings of the Investment and Grants committees
• Mentoring sessions with a named Governor
• Assessment and observation visits to funded projects
• Meetings and conversations with staff

​In developing the Walcot Futures Programme we also had in mind the future need of the UK’s charity sector for competent people to serve as trustees and governors, and for these roles to draw upon a younger and more diverse pool of talent.