Passionate about food, community & inclusion? Become a Trustee with Dorset's cooking and food education charity – help ensure the voices of those facing food insecurity and life challenges are heard.
What difference will you make?
You can read our Annual report on our website/our impact. During 2024/5 we engaged with 10,800 people this year over 456 events, in communities across Dorset. Becoming a Trustee of the Friendly Food Club means helping to change lives across Dorset. You'll play a key role in shaping our strategy, guiding our growth and making sure the voices of those we serve are heard at Board level. Our work reaches tens of thousands each year through cooking, food education and community activities. Trustees help ensure we remain sustainable, develop new income streams, and create opportunities to expand our impact. Your perspective – whether professional skills or lived experience of food insecurity, health challenges or community work – will help us deliver services that truly meet local needs. As a Trustee, you'll also act as an ambassador, connecting us with new partners and sharing our story. Every idea you bring can open doors, strengthen communities and improve wellbeing for people across Dorset. You'll be joining a supportive, passionate Board united by the belief that food has the power to reduce isolation, build confidence and change lives.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for a Trustee who can bring both commitment and insight to our Board. This could be through professional expertise – such as fundraising, marketing, health, education or community development – or through lived experience of food insecurity, health challenges or other complex life struggles. Above all, we are looking for a trustee that shares our values of trust, caring, integrity, inclusiveness, teamwork, good health and making a difference - and has a sense of fun You will have a willingness to listen, and a passion for ensuring that the voices of our beneficiaries are represented in every decision we make. If you can combine your skills with a desire to make a positive difference in local communities, we would love to hear from you.
What will you be doing?
Join Us as a Trustee – Help Shape the Future of the Friendly Food Club and improve thousands of lives in Dorset. Thank you for your interest in the Friendly Food Club. We are a Dorset-wide charity, officially registered in 2023 but with over 20 years of experience bringing people together through food, friendship and community. We are looking for a new Trustee to join our supportive Board. You may bring professional expertise or lived experience of food insecurity, life challenges, or community support – but most importantly, you'll share our passion for giving a voice to those who often go unheard and helping guide the future direction of our charity. Founded in 2003 by Tony Gibbons, the Friendly Food Club has always been about more than cooking. Our work is rooted in respect, inclusion and empowerment – using food to reduce isolation, build stronger connections and encourage healthier lives. Today, we partner with Dorset and BCP Councils, health services and a wide range of community groups. We run approachable and friendly hands-on cooking sessions and food education events, supporting people from mostly from vulnerable groups and marginalised communities, with key audiences including early years, youth and families. We are powered by a dedicated team of volunteers, tutors, staff and trustees, all committed to making a positive impact. Now, we'd love you to consider bringing your experience, energy and ideas to our Board. What being a Trustee involves Attending 4 meetings a year (usually in person across Dorset, with one held online). Helping review our progress, shape our approach and ensure good governance. Taking part in discussions and occasional working groups with tutors, volunteers and community members to plan and deliver projects. We are an approachable, welcoming and informal organisation, and we value constructive voices who want to make a real difference. If you're looking for an opportunity to use your experience and compassion to support local communities, we'd love to hear from you.