Community volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Corsham, wiltshire

We are seeking passionate and skilled individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a trustee, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of WHY, setting our direction and strategy, and ensuring we build strong foundations for continued impact.

The Board has identified specific skills that would greatly benefit WHY at this time:

• A trustee with clinical experience in counselling or therapy

• A trustee with accountancy or financial expertise

​Trustees are appointed for an initial four-year term, with members typically serving up to three terms for continuity. The Board meets six times per year. In addition, trustees are encouraged to take on responsibilities, actively support staff, and participate in events.

We Hear You (WHY) is a local cancer charity providing free and low-cost professional counselling and therapy to children, young people and adults affected by cancer and other life- threatening conditions in Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Vallis Farm Education Centre CIC is looking for volunteer Non-Executive Directors for our new Education Centre CIC starting early in 2026! 

Company Description 

Vallis Farm Education Centre CIC (based in Frome, Somerset), is intending to provide day courses, DWP work placements, Skills Bootcamps, our own LANTRA-certified courses and apprenticeships, in horticulture and agroecology. We will also run a weekly youth group to improve nature connection amongst young people; encourage a healthy attitude to the outdoors and give them land-based skills that they will not learn at school. There will also be a ‘light touch’ element of ecology and wildlife to address more positively the challenges we now face with climate change. 

Our courses will be open to everyone of all ages; however, our primary focus will be on the provision of post-16 learning opportunities outside of ‘A’ levels and higher education; i.e. further education, work experience and land-based skills development to, ultimately, increase employability. 

Our work is guided by a passion for an education that suits all learners, a commitment to supporting everyone to achieve their potential and a desire to see increased employability for young people living in Frome and the surrounding areas. 

The Education Centre will be run by Vallis Farms Ltd Head of Land & Learning in conjunction with the Education Centre’s Operations Manager. The Head of Land & Learning will run the youth group and deliver teaching alongside other contracted instructors/teaching staff. The CIC will apply for funding to enable children, young people and adults to take educational courses who would normally self-exclude or be excluded due to lack of transport options or for financial reasons (e.g. a lack of funds to pay for a course or necessary equipment e.g. boots). 

Role Description 

We are looking for Non-Executive Directors to join our small and passionate board of three people. 

This is a voluntary role suitable for individuals who, like us, care deeply about an education provision for all, and are also eager to contribute to shaping the future direction of the Education Centre. You don’t need to have previous board experience or formal qualifications - we’re looking for people with experience in either education (ideally secondary level or above), budget/finance management and reporting, monitoring and evaluation or charity governance, and have a desire to share your experience and skills.

As a Non-Executive Director, you will: 

• Participate in board meetings (in-person in Frome) as often as is necessary to effectively carry out board duties and govern the CIC. The frequency can be decided by the board once convened, but will be quarterly at most 

• Help guide Vallis Farm Education Centre’s strategy and priorities 

• Ensure the CIC has effective leadership, strong accountability systems and effective policies and procedures to ensure it always meets its legal obligations and serves its stated community purpose 

• Offer insight, challenge, and support to ensure good governance 

• Act as an ambassador for our mission to improve post-16 provision in our area and help us build connections 

• Contribute your lived experience, professional knowledge/experience, or community perspective to strengthen our education provision 

• Ensure no conflicts of interest occur during the delivery of the CIC’s business 

This role is ideal for individuals who want to leverage their skills and experience, passion, or learned perspective to drive positive change in further education and employability for the young people of Somerset. 

What We’re Looking For 

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We ask that you bring: 

• An interest in improving accessibility to high quality further education 

• Experience (professional or personal) in at least one of the following four areas: 

• Education 

• Budget/financial management 

• Monitoring and evaluation (progress and impact) 

• Charity governance 

• Operational and/or company management experience 

• Creative ideas, strategic thinking, or problem-solving skills 

• A willingness to learn, listen, and contribute as part of a supportive team 

Key Details 

• Role type: Voluntary 

• Location: Frome, Somerset 

• Commitment: Up to 4 board meetings per year, plus occasional input between meetings 

• Start date: Flexible, February/March 2026

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Are you passionate about building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy? Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your finance expertise?

ECU is a small, dynamic non-profit working to transform the economy so that everyone has the freedom and security to live a good life. 

We are now recruiting for ECU’s first Treasurer, who will lead at board level on monitoring ECU’s financial performance and sustainability, ensuring that we have robust financial policies and processes in place, and supporting other board members to fulfil their collective responsibilities around finance. 

This is an exciting time to join ECU. We have an ambitious vision for change, a strong analysis of the opportunities and barriers to progress, and a clear view of our role in building a better economy. Our board is committed, collaborative and inclusive, with a strong understanding of its role and remit, and a culture of open dialogue. Our work is challenging, fascinating, and fulfilling – and, with rising levels of inequality, an unfolding climate emergency, overstretched public services and a growing concentration of corporate power, it couldn’t be more important.

Are you passionate about building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy? Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your finance expertise?  ECU is a small, dynamic non-profit working to transform the economy. Join us!

What will you be doing?

In addition to the responsibilities of all board members, the Treasurer will: 

1. Support the Board to review and monitor ECU’s financial performance and sustainability
2. Ensure the Board receives timely, accessible and accurate financial information
3. Support the team to develop and maintain robust and proportionate financial policies, processes and risk management systems

What are we looking for?

• Commitment to ECU’s mission and values
• Commitment to the legal duties and responsibilities
• Financial management experience, policies, risk
• Qualifications
• Able to interpret, interrogate and communicate financial information
• Work as part of a diverse team, and devote the time 

Desirable - treasurer experience

What difference will you make?

We have an ambitious vision for change, a strong analysis of the opportunities and barriers to progress, and a clear view of our role in building a better economy. Our board is committed, collaborative and inclusive, with a strong understanding of its role and remit, and a culture of open dialogue.

Before you apply

• Your interest in this role and what you could bring to it
• What would you want to learn and gain?

Interview 25 Feb in London (expenses paid)