News and Views

Here, our team, our charities and our supporters offer their perspectives on the issues affecting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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01/03/2019

Ground control: Breaking through a new frontier in personal budgets

Do people feel more in control of their public services than ten years ago? Director of Policy Samantha Windett takes a look at Reform’s report, "Proceed with caution: What makes personal budgets work?" and reflects on the need to reform personal budgets to provide more young people with education and employment support.
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22/02/2019

Cutting university tuition fees could be dangerous for social mobility

The Government’s review of post-18 education and funding is expected to report shortly. It has been widely speculated that the advisory panel led by Philip Augar could recommend sweeping changes, including a cut to tuition fees. Together with the Russell Group and a coalition of social mobility charities, we've released a joint statement on the dangers of a university funding cut.
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06/02/2019

Funders must build trust

Funders must build trust with the charities they support. Charities will have more impact if they feel able to tell funders what they really need help with. CEO Andy Ratcliffe reflects on how to build better funder relationships.
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21/12/2018

It's the most wonderful time of the year

With Christmas around the corner, CEO Andy Ratcliffe looks back on Impetus-PEF’s achievements and milestones from the year. Thanking our donors and supporters, Andy looks ahead to 2019 too, as we continue to back the best programmes transforming the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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11/12/2018

Are you boring enough to be a charity chief executive?

Charity CEOs need to make hard choices. Do you grow or do you drive impact? Do you work on innovation or implementation? Do you spend on the front line or the back office? CEOs need to make 'boring choices'. CEO Andy Ratcliffe asks 'Are you a #BoringCEO?'
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19/11/2018

We need more honesty about our impact

Funders and charities are trapped in a 'don't-ask, don't-tell' relationship on impact that sees successes exaggerated and too much focus on growth. CEO Andy Ratcliffe reflects on how to escape it.
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