2014/15 CARE Leadership Programme
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP It is exciting to see the scope of social and political action in the Church today. This development is central to our mission at CARE, and in particular to our Leadership Programme. The CARE Leadership Programme combines vigorous academic study with the practical experience of voluntary placements, equipping its participants for a lifetime of integrity and service in the public square. Now past its twentieth year, the Programme has a reputation for attracting and fostering talent in the parliaments of Westminster and Edinburgh, alongside the third sector and world of business. Over 250 people have now graduated from the Programme and are making a real contribution to our changing world. Is it time for you to join them? Nola Leach
Lyndon Bowring
‘The establishment of the Leadership Programme is one of the most strategic decisions CARE has ever made. We see great potential in young Christians who participate in social and political action as an outworking of their faith. The Leadership Programme exists to equip them as the leaders of tomorrow.’ Lyndon Bowring, Executive Chairman, CARE
Nola Leach, Head of the Leadership Programme
www.care.org.uk/leadershipprogramme leadershipprogramme@care.org.uk
Closing date for applications: 11 November 2013
PLACEMENTS For twenty years, CARE graduates have been placed in challenging voluntary placements, predominantly in parliament and the third sector. Our graduates gain invaluable experience in research, public relations, marketing, media engagement, speech writing, administrative tasks, film production, advocacy and campaigning. Many of our alumni use these skills to build successful careers in related areas of politics, business and charitable work. The long-standing repute of the Programme means that demand for our volunteers constantly outstrips our ability to supply them.
‘I developed valuable writing and research skills, useful in any field of work but particularly policy-focussed roles. More than this, I feel I now understand the world of politics better, and particularly the role that Christians can play in transforming and renewing it.’ 2008/09 Graduate
For more information on the types of placements Programme members have been involved with in recent years, go to:
www.care.org.uk/leadershipprogramme
HOW TO APPLY? If you are interested in applying for a place on CARE’s Leadership Programme, you will find our application form online:
www.care.org.uk/leadershipprogramme Faith: CARE’s Statement of Faith, which can be found on We encourage candidates to consider the following criteria in forming
our website, is the driving force behind everything we do.
their application:
You will therefore need to understand and be in agreement with the Statement.
Education: Applicants should have a strong academic record to degree level. Those applying are usually recent graduates. Placements will be
For more information, go to www.care.org.uk/about
appropriate to the interests and skills of successful applicants. The closing date for applications is 17.00 on Monday 11 November Experience: It is important for applicants to display previous interest
2013. The compulsory Selection Day will take place in London on
in politics, media or social action at a grassroots or national level.
Monday 9 December 2013. If you are successful at this stage, CARE will
This could include, but is not limited to, voluntary work for a charity,
then match candidates with a suitable placement.
community action projects, student politics, writing for a university newspaper or involvement in radio broadcasting. All candidates must also possess good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, an excellent ability to communicate and, above all, a willingness to serve.
The Leadership Programme runs from the beginning of September 2014 until the end of July 2015, with a certain amount of pre-reading required prior to the Induction.
HOW DOES IT WORK? ‘The opportunity to meet other people from a wide range of political views and to discuss, debate and work out how our faith plays out in the public square has been incredibly valuable.’ 2012/13 Graduate The Leadership Programme is an eleven month, full-time commitment that begins in September 2014 with an Induction month of training and teaching. For the remainder of the year, participants volunteer for four days each week in an educational placement and come together on Fridays for a series of lectures and seminars. They are challenged to engage with the academic side of the Programme through readings, presentations, project work and essays. We also host three residential Study Weekends during the year and arrange several evening events with guest speakers. CARE provides an educational bursary for the duration of the Programme ‘I would recommend the Leadership Programme to anyone wanting to be challenged and equipped as an effective worldchanger. It was the perfect step after university, solidifying the foundations of my faith in the context of a challenging work placement, with the support of like-minded Christian peers.’
and covers costs associated with the Induction, Study Weekends and any Programme-related travel. We encourage those with concerns about financing the remainder of their expenses to contact CARE for advice. As this is a purely educational Programme, participants are at no
2011/12 Graduate
time asked to lobby on behalf of CARE.
For two decades the CARE Leadership Programme has been equipping thoughtful and politically intelligent young men and women for a lifetime of engagement in the public sphere, underpinned by the radical imperatives for service that their faith requires. Offering practical experience, intellectual rigour and a community of learning, the Programme is an invaluable year for those considering a call to cultural leadership. A good number are now active in politics,
‘...the search for a Christian mind is not, in the end, a search for mind, but a search for God’ Mark A. Noll
some are MPs and others are working successfully in the broadcast media as creative leaders and in other social impact organisations. It has achieved its objectives. I warmly commend it. Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE
53 Romney Street, London SW1P 3RF e: mail@care.org.uk / t: 020 7233 0455
www.care.org.uk
CARE is a mainstream Christian charity that provides resources and helps to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives. CARE is represented in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies, at the EU in Brussels and the UN in Geneva and New York. CARE (Christian Action, Research & Education) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales at 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF, Company No: 3481417, Charity No: 1066963, Scottish Charity No: SC038911 Executive Chairman: Rev Lyndon Bowring Chief Executive: Nola Leach