We are always on the lookout for volunteers and new team members but right now we need YOU to BECOME A CORE MEMBER and help SEL improve, progress and survive, see below for more info.

Open Q&A session about this at Frome Town Hall
11am to 1pm - THIS WEDNESDAY 23rd July 2025.
Please let us know if you are interested, even if you cannot attend this particular event.
Email us at sharedearthlearning@gmail.com if you want more info or want to chat.

1. What does the role ‘core member’ involve?

Shared Earth Learning is a Charitable Community Benefit Society (recognised as charitable by the HMRC and we can claim Gift Aid). 

We are seeking up to 10 new core members to support the work of our ‘staff’ core members, and create further benefits for our participants and wider Frome.

This role is voluntary, but expenses may be claimed.

Our Community Benefit Society core members work together to:

• Ensure the governance and strategy of Shared Earth Learning meets its charitable aims.

• Foster a culture of approachability and open dialogue with its membership.

• Work closely with core members (staff) to ensure the finances, vision and operations of SEL align with its purpose and aims.

• Advocate for Forest School, its benefits and what the SEL stands for, specifically in Frome.

2. What are the time commitments?

• A minimum of two board meetings per year via Zoom or in person. 

• There will most likely be some additional reading before a meeting.

• Additional meetings, especially in the first year as we seek to establish ourselves as a Community Benefit Society in which people would want to become supporter members. 

3. The big question.. Why join the board of Shared Earth Learning?!

We believe the main strengths in SEL come from our amazing site and our team’s ability to:

 “provide services that promote the physical, emotional and mental well-being of disadvantaged people in our community, as well as those who care for and support them”. [from our Objects]. 

Our aim is to connect vulnerable people in our immediate community with nature.

By becoming a core member of Shared Earth Learning you amplify our voice and help the board foster a culture of engagement, accountability and professionalism, fulfilling our statutory duties and building on ideas and strategies which may have arisen. 

• There will be opportunities to get involved with community facing events in Frome, for example; Seed Swaps, Open Days, the Pumpkin Festival etc. where SEL has an established presence. These can be really good fun, potentially tiring but always rewarding!

• The opportunity to learn from the varied experiences that other Board members, and our staff core members, bring to the table.

• The opportunity to use your skills, knowledge and experience to the benefit of the organisation and the communities we serve.

• Knowing you have a role in making a difference to people’s wellbeing, health, social connections and skills. 

• As a core member you will be invited to the land for annual celebrations of SEL as an entity so all members know each other and feel valued with food and activities provided by our Forest School Leaders. 

4. Essential core member skills are:

• Willingness, energy and ability to commit to the role.

• Sympathy for the aims and ethos of Forest School, or a willingness to learn and understand what these are.

• Some understanding of governance, and/or a willingness to develop the skills of good trusteeship.

• A willingness to act as an ambassador for Shared Earth Learning. 

• Good communication and organisation skills.

5. Desirable skills:

• It would be great if you already had experience as a trustee, committee member or have worked at a senior management level, and/or have familiarity with societies or charities.

• We welcome people with varied backgrounds and skills

7. Appendix

Core members 

belong to a defined community, which may form around a purpose, locality, experience or common interest that is welcoming, broad and diverse and not selective or artificially exclusive. You may or may not be ‘working’ with SEL 

Supporter members 

do not have such direct involvement, though they may be investors or otherwise interested parties. They wish to associate themselves with the community and contribute to it while  acknowledging that they should not compromise its autonomy; so they are subject to limits on their powers.