GET INVOLVED
EVERY COMMUNITY HAS PEOPLE who
STEP FORWARD.
Pride in Place brings a significant opportunity for Blakenall. But the money is only part of the story.
What matters, what gets backed and where investment goes should be shaped by people who live here.
Not just the loudest voices.
Not the same people already sitting around tables.
The people who care about this place and want to be part of its future.
Right now we’re looking for people to build the neighbourhood board. Find out more detail below about applying to become the Independent Chair or to put yourself forward to get involved in the wider group.
Apply to BECOME THE COMMUNITY Chairperson
Officially, this role is called the Independent Chair.
Every community has someone people naturally turn to. Someone who brings others together, listens and keeps things moving when it matters most.
If that sounds a little like you, we’d love to hear from you.
You don’t need previous experience, but you do need to live, work or be from the area.
The deadline for applications for this role is 5pm Tuesday 18th August 2026
In the coming weeks, once an independent community chairperson has been selected, we’ll be building a “neighbourhood board”.
This will be a diverse group of people from across to area that will be charged with making key decisions and shaping the funding priorities for the money.
You don’t need previous experience to take on this role.
If you would like to find out more or register your interest in joining the future group, please do so below.
JOIN THE LOCAL
LEADERSHIP
GROUP
more about the Community Chair Role
Help lead Pride in Place for Blakenall
Pride in Place needs an independent Community Chair to lead the local Board and keep the programme rooted in the community.
The Chair will bring people together, guide open and honest discussion and help the Board turn local views into clear priorities, decisions and action.
You do not need to have chaired a Board before. What matters most is a strong connection to the area, the trust of others and a real commitment to its future.
What the Community Chair will do
The Community Chair will:
- lead Board meetings and help the group reach clear decisions;
- make sure different views are heard and treated with respect;
- help people find common ground when opinions differ;
- keep the Board focused on what matters to the community;
- make sure no one person or group takes over;
- keep the Board connected to people across the area;
- find different ways to bring more voices into the programme;
- represent the Board when speaking to partners and public bodies;
- value the knowledge of others and be honest about what they do not know;
- help Board members grow in confidence and play a full part.
The kind of person we are looking for
The right person will:
- care deeply about the area and want to see it thrive;
- be trusted and respected by local people;
- listen well and make people feel welcome;
- bring together people with different views;
- stay calm when conversations are difficult;
- be fair, balanced and willing to challenge when needed;
- put the wider community ahead of personal interests;
- be open to learning and new ideas;
- have the time and commitment to take the role seriously.
You do not need a formal title, a long CV or experience of sitting on lots of Boards.
Local knowledge, sound judgement and the trust of others matter more.
An independent role
The Community Chair will not represent the council, one organisation or one part of the area.
They will lead the Board independently and help it act in the interests of the wider community.
The Chair will be a public face for Pride in Place, but will not claim to speak for everyone. Their role is to bring different voices together and keep the Board connected to the people it serves.
The Chair will not make decisions alone.
The role is not about pushing a personal project, building a small circle of supporters or acting as the only expert in the room.
It is also not a day-to-day job running projects or managing delivery.
The role is expected to be voluntary, in a similar way to being a school governor or charity trustee.
A small payment may be available for the time involved, helping to make the role open to people who might not otherwise be able to take it on.
Interested?
To register your interest in the role, to ask a question or request an informal chat please fill out the form below or email info@blakenall.place. You can also apply directly by sending a covering email outlining your suitability for the role, along with your CV to info@blakenall.place.
PLEASE NOTE: THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS TUESDAY 18th AUGUST 2026
Register your
Interest
Register your interest for getting involved with the Neighbourhood board and helping this to become a success for the area more generally.
Fill out your details and drop us a short message and we’ll be straight back in touch for a chat or with more information for you.
You can also email us directly at
info@blakenall.place
