We are currently recruiting new Trustees to our board who are passionate about contributing to our five year vision. Could this be you? Find out more about being on Go Beyond’s Board of Trustees from our Chair, Barbara Peacock.
What does the role of a Go Beyond trustee involve?
All trustees are expected to read the board papers and attend up to four face to face board meetings a year. This is not dull! The papers are about what has been happening and plans for the future and are written so we can have an informed discussion. What is lovely about our Board is that it is made up of passionate and committed people who bring such different life experiences so discussions are always lively. As Chair, I have to make sure everyone is heard and that we make decisions so the Chief Executive has a clear steer from the Board. In between Board meetings we have virtual Sub-Committee meetings where specific matters are looked at in more depth, such as , changing the electricity supply or if we need to create a new role in the organisation. It is expected that all trustees will join one sub-group. I have been most involved with the People Sub-Group this is the one where we discuss staffing and the breaks for children.
What do you enjoy most about the role?
It’s a real privilege to be involved with Go Beyond. The staff group are amazing and it takes all the staff – break leaders, fundraisers, shop staff, cooks, volunteer co-ordinators, finance – to make the organisation run. Because of the work of all the staff, the children who go on breaks really do get a fantastic experience. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces in the photos and hearing their comments about the difference the break with Go Beyond has meant to them makes it all worth while.
What have you gained as a result of being a trustee for Go Beyond?
It seems trite to say I have met some interesting people, but I have. The Board is really varied and this makes it so interesting. Having visited our two centres, met some of the children on breaks and heard about the children referred I have learnt more about the impact of the pandemic and social isolation on this group of children. I have also learnt that you can make a difference to their lives and that many children need opportunities to connect with nature and have fun.
What is your favourite memory (so far!) of being a Go Beyond trustee?
Many of the trustees joined a staff day at our Coastal Centre and took part in a training session on activities you could do with children outside – for most of the day we were the children joining in the activities – it didn’t take long to see which trustees where competitive and who were less co-ordinated!
What sort of team would a new trustee be joining as a member of the Board?
A new trustee would be joining a Board that is developing and going from strength to strength. The Board is open and welcoming, keen to hear new ideas and buzzing with the great possibilities that lay ahead for Go Beyond. The new trustees will also be joining a strong and relatively new senior team who are equally ambitious for the organisation and work well with trustees. Its a great time to become a trustee of Go Beyond.
