Trustee with Expertise in Early Childhood Education. Deadline for applications: 22 Oct 2021

Do you have a passion for early childhood education and experience in research or practice leadership? We are seeking two trustees who will play an active role in our Council and committees.

The Froebel Trust is an educational charity with a mission to promote and advance education and learning underpinned by the philosophy and principles of the inventor of kindergarten, Friedrich Froebel. We do this by supporting research and practice development for early childhood education and care with grants; bursaries or subsidies for training; and free resources and events.

Our work is steered and governed by a Council of 12 trustees, two of whom will retire in 2022. These volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds. They help bring our vision and strategy to life while ensuring that we operate responsibly, fairly and effectively by following the Charity Commission’s Governance Code.

At the Froebel Trust we strongly oppose discrimination and bias and we strive to be diverse and inclusive. We want everyone to experience and treat others with dignity, respect and fairness. We welcome and are actively seeking trustee applications from people who are frequently under-represented on charity boards. 

To make sure that we retain the optimal mix of knowledge and skills on our Council, we are looking for the following expertise:

• A commitment to the Froebel Trust’s principles for education and learning and enthusiasm for our strategic goals
• Research experience / leadership in early childhood education and care
• Practice experience / leadership in early learning settings or schools (birth to 8 years)

Ideally we need people who:

• Have availability and flexibility to attend trustee and committee meetings (each meeting lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, mostly held via Zoom). We anticipate that the time commitment will be 25-30 hours per year (see table below), depending on the responsibilities assumed.
• Be willing and able to join and potentially to chair our Education & Research committee and one of its subcommittees*[1]

The role is voluntary and unpaid (except for out-of-pocket expenses). A trustee’s term of office lasts for 4 years and can be renewed. Most of our trustees stay with us for 8 years. All our trustees are offered an induction as well as ongoing training, advice and, if applicable, an opportunity to shadow an incumbent committee chair for 1-2 meetings.

To apply, please send a covering letter and CV. Please feel free to can contact us first to arrange an informal conversation with our CEO, Sacha Powell or Chair of Trustees. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom or telephone interview with 2 or 3 trustees and our CEO at a mutually convenient time in November or December.

[1] These are Research Subcommittee and Education Subcommittee [Practice Development]. The chairs work with the CEO to shape committee action plans & meeting agendas. They report committee business at trustee meetings. Presently, most meetings take place via Zoom.

A Trustee position for Dorothy House Hospice Care Board

Pastoral & Spiritual Specialist

(Unremunerated Position)

“How people die remains in the memory of those who live on”

                                                         ~ Cicely Saunders

At Dorothy House, we live our mission to ensure that everyone has access to outstanding palliative and end of life care, we promote our vision for a society where death is a part of life and we do this by demonstrating respect, dignity and compassion for all.

To support this vision we are looking to invite a Pastoral and Spiritual Specialist to join the board as a Trustee wherein they will utilise their breadth of spirituality and experience to challenge thinking on the role of spiritual and pastoral care within Dorothy House and help to evolve their vison through the spiritual strategy.

The Pastoral and Spiritual Specialist will confidently engage with multi faith group leaders in helping to identify and communicate the opportunities to provide spiritual care for our patients and families of all faiths and none, and will utilize multi faith contacts to support the work of Dorothy House.

They will possess a deep sense of intuition and understanding of palliative and end of life care and that death is part of life and will confidently engage with the Executive at strategic level whilst understanding the detail and complexities of delivery of spiritual care and support to all.

For further information on how to join our outstanding board of volunteer trustees and deliver a real difference for your community, please visit our website

Closing date for expressions of interest accompanied by a CV is Monday 18th October 2021.

Interviews to be held Thursday 28th October

Purpose of your role

We want to give young adults a voice to help us deliver a wilder future for our local environment. As a young adult ambassador you will be committed to bring about change to protect the natural world, learning from the past to secure the future. You will have a passion and desire to engage others in nature and the work we do as a Trust, and to motivate others to make a difference. Through our volunteering role based in Warwickshire, Coventry or Solihull we will help you to gain skills and experience through a range of different training and activities.

Tasks you may be involved with:

• Learning new skills e.g. storytelling, campaigning, using social media for change
• Learning about conservation through events and activities e.g. species identification workshops, practical habitat tasks
• Promoting nature and wildlife in your local community
• Promoting the work and history of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
• Raising awareness amongst peers and encouraging them to support our campaigns and events
• Writing and editing social media posts, blogs, vlogs, videos and soundbites
• Promoting and partaking in local and national research campaign initiatives

Skills and abilities required:

• A keen interest in conservation, sustainability and the state of nature
• A keen interest in the history and work of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
• Good communication skills
• Ability to use a range of media
• Interest in campaign promotion
• High level of enthusiasm to help motivate others

You will be based at:

Training and events will occur across Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull

Times/days we would like you to be available:

Flexible based on your lifestyle and circumstances

Benefits to you:

• Contribute to the protection of our wildlife and wild places
• Receive training and develop new skills and experience
• An opportunity to make a real difference to the work of the Trust
• The chance to meet new people
• Help bring about change as part of our Wilder Future movement

As a Woodland Craft Volunteer you are helping to support WWT through selecting and
processing timber into innovative products that can be sold to help fund woodland management
on WWT nature reserves..

Tasks you will be involved with:
Tasks will be varied and develop based on product sales and volunteer skills sets. The work
involves looking at timber produced through woodland management, deciding on the products
that can be created with it, and processing them to be sold or utilised on nature reserves.
Examples of products created include pea sticks, hedging stakes and charcoal, but innovation is
encouraged and we are open to trying new ideas. Often the work will involve the use of hand
tools, and occasional mechanical and powered equipment such as chainsaws, sanders and
drills.

Skills and abilities required:
 No prior experience needed, as full training is provided.
 You should bring suitable footwear and waterproof clothing, all tools and safety
equipment will be provided.
 Please be aware of the physical nature of practical work and the requirement to work
with and alongside mechanical and powered equipment.
 A willingness to work outside in all weather and in remote locations.
 An understanding of the importance of health and safety in the environment described.
 Able to follow instructions.
 Bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and insect repellent.

You will be based at: Primarily at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre but also working within
woodlands throughout Warwickshire (Mainly within the Dunsmore Living Landscape area).

Times/days we would like you to be available: Most sessions will run during weekdays
between 9:30 and 16:00, but length of sessions are very much dependent of the task. This role
is ad hoc and sessions are based on volunteer availability. Occasional weekend sessions may
occur but are dependent on availability of a session leader.

Benefits to you:
 Contribute to the conservation of our beautiful nature reserves through raising funds.
 Learn new skills
 Meet like-minded people, make new friends
 Get some fresh air and exercise
 Improve your health and well-being

To assist the work party at Whitnash Brook to carry out a wide variety of practical tasks to maintain and
enhance the reserve.

Type of work you will be involved with:
Tasks vary throughout the year, ranging from meadow cutting in the summer to scrub clearance in the
winter.

Skills and abilities required:
 No prior experience needed, as full training is provided.
 You should bring suitable footwear and waterproof clothing, all tools and safety equipment will
be provided.
 Please be aware of the physical nature of practical work and the requirement to work with
simple tools.
 A willingness to work outside in all weather
 An understanding of the importance of health and safety in the environment described
 Able to follow instructions
 Please note: If you require assistance in your everyday life you will need to attend with someone
who can support you throughout the session as it is essential that people are able to take
responsibility for their own health & safety.
 Bring a drink, sun cream and insect repellent. If you have it, please bring a warm drink in a flask.

You will be based at:
Whitnash Brook Nature Reserve, Leamington Spa, CV31 1AD

Times/days we would like you to be available:
We meet fortnightly on Wednesday’s from 10am - 1pm.

Benefits to you:
 Contribute to the conservation of our beautiful nature reserves.
 Learn new skills
 Meet like-minded people
 Get some fresh air and exercise

If you have a particular passion for birds of prey then this is an opportunity to share your passion with others. We need your help to enable local people to view Peregrines and learn more about them. You will be the friendly face representing the Trust and helping us to conserve our birds of prey.

Tasks you will be involved with

• We are looking for volunteers who want to organise and operate a small display tent that invites people to use telescopes to view Peregrines from a distance.
• Inputting into displays and other interpretation materials and media.
• Engaging with visitors, and chatting about the benefits of supporting Wildlife Trusts.
• Promoting the wider benefits of membership.

Skills and abilities required

• Do you love wildlife and enjoy chatting to people of all ages and from a wide range of backgrounds?
• A Friendly and approachable person who enjoys being outdoors and are keen to share their passion for wildlife with visitors.
• The confidence and ability to work as part of a team or without direct supervision if required.

You will be based at

Leamington Spa

Times/days we would like you to be available

Flexible hours, Saturdays in March - August.

Benefits to you

• The satisfaction of knowing that you have personally contributed to people's experiences of local wildlife.
• To be a valuable and highly regarded member of our team and one of our increasing number of dedicated volunteers.
• Meet new people and learn and develop your skills.
• The opportunity to be the public face of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust out in the community and to be an essential part of our team.
• You will get to learn more about our work and enjoy the great outdoors, plus you will be passing on your knowledge and skills to many people of different ages and backgrounds. This is a very fulfilling role, imagine the thrill and satisfaction of showing someone their first Peregrine.

Purpose of your role

To assist the work party at Leam Valley and/or Oakley Wood to carry out a wide variety of practical tasks to maintain and enhance the reserve.

Tasks you will be involved with: Tasks vary throughout the year, ranging from meadow cutting in the summer to hedge laying and scrub clearance in the winter. 

Skills and abilities required:

• No prior experience needed, as full training is provided.
• You should bring suitable footwear and waterproof clothing, all tools and safety equipment will be provided.
• Please be aware of the physical nature of practical work and the requirement to work with simple tools.
• A willingness to work outside in all weather
• An understanding of the importance of health and safety in the environment described
• Able to follow instructions
• Please note: If you require assistance in your everyday life you will need to attend with someone who can support you throughout the session as it is essential that people are able to take responsibility for their own health & safety.

Bring a drink, sun cream and insect repellent.  Tea and biscuits are provided.

You will be based at: Oakley Wood, CV33 9QP - meet at the first small carpark on the left

Leam Valley, Newbold Terrace East, CV32 4EW - meet outside the Leisure centre

Times/days we would like you to be available: We meet regularly on Thursdays at Leam Valley and Fridays at Oakley from 10am - 1pm.

Benefits to you:

• Contribute to the conservation of our beautiful nature reserves.
• Learn new skills
• Meet like-minded people
• Get some fresh air and exercise

The purpose of your role is to assist the work party at Ufton Fields to carry out a wide variety of practical tasks to maintain and enhance the reserve.

Tasks you will be involved with

• Tasks vary throughout the year, ranging from meadow cutting in the summer to hedge laying and scrub clearance in the winter.

Skills and abilities required

• ​No prior experience is needed, as full training is provided.
• You should bring suitable footwear and waterproof clothing; all tools and safety equipment will be provided.
• Please be aware of the physical nature of practical work and the requirement to work alongside mechanical and powered equipment.
• A willingness to work outside in all weather and in remote locations.
• An understanding of the importance of health and safety in the environment described.
• Able to follow instructions.
• Please note: If you require assistance in your everyday life you will need to attend with someone who can support you throughout the session as it is essential that people are able to take responsibility for their own health and safety.

Bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and insect repellent.

You will be based at

Ufton Fields Nature reserve, Ufton, Southam, CV33 9PU

Times/days we would like you to be available

We meet fortnightly on Tuesday's from 10am - 1pm.

Benefits to you

• Contribute to the conservation of our beautiful nature reserves.
• Learn new skills.
• Meet like-minded people.
• Get some fresh air and exercise.

Purpose of you role

The Dunsmore Living Landscape scheme, run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, aims to link up Warwickshire's ancient woodlands, hedgerows and ponds, and reconnect people with their local wild places. We work on nature reserves, farms and country parks throughout the Living Landscape area.

Join us to get stuck in with practical habitat management and surveying in this beautiful area. Tasks include hedgerow restoration, coppicing, meadow management and wildflower surveying. 
See exploredunsmore for more info.

Tasks you will be involved in

Tasks will vary throughout the year, ranging from wildflower meadow management and the surveying in the summer to coppicing, path work, scrub clearance and hedge painting in the autumn and winter. There are also opportunities to volunteer with the Dormouse Reintroduction project, hedgerow surveying and data entry and analysis in your own time.

Skills and abilities required

. No prior experience needed, as full training is provided.
. You should bring suitable footwear and waterproof clothing , all tools and safety equipment will be provided.
. Please be aware of the physical nature of practical work and the requirement to work with and alongside mechanical and powered equipment.
. A willingness to work outside in all weather and in remote locations.
. An understanding of the importance of health and safety in the environment described.
. Able to follow instructions.
. Please note: If you require assistance in your everyday life, you will need to attend with someone who can support you throughout the session as it is essential that people are able to take responsibility for their own health and safety.
. Bring a packed lunch, drink, sun cream and insect repellent.

Benefits to you

. Improve sites across the Living landscape for wildlife, including nature reserves, farms and country parks.
. Improve access to the living landscape for local people.
. Learn new skills.
. Meet like-minded people, make new friends.
. Get some fresh air and exercise.
. Improve your health and well-being.

Times/days we would like you to be available

Sessions take place on a friday. Sessions usually start at 9.30am and finish around 3.30pm. If you prefer you can meet us on site at 10am. The site and task differs each week. There is no minumum commitment required.

 Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry CV3 3GW, and travel out to sites in the DLL area.