Role description
Purpose of the role
To deliver the Pride in Place Programme in Wirral, Neighbourhood Boards are being set up in the three funded neighbourhoods of Seacombe, Woodchurch and Central Birkenhead.
Each Board will be led by an independent Chair – someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way.
The Chair’s primary job is to be a champion for their place and to embody the community-led spirit of the programme.
The Chair should have a deep connection to their area and can be new to this kind of work. What matters most is a commitment to seeing change through and improving the lives of those in their community.
The independent Chair is best when they act as a proactive, trustworthy convenor who:
- is deeply connected to their community and fiercely committed to making it an even better place to live
- can bring together different voices from across their community, to shape a collective vision for the future of their place
- has local credibility and will be respected as a leader – even if this is their first leadership role
- ensures that all voices are heard and that Board discussions are collaborative
- is adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly and impartially, never allowing ego to get in the way of progress
- brings together community groups and prioritises community engagement as a central pillar of the programme
- is clear about their own knowledge gaps and considers how the makeup of the Board complements this
- thinks laterally and creatively about solutions to problems and ways to draw in community voices
- acts as a public face and represents the Board externally
The Chair should not be:
- a gatekeeper or clique-builder; the Board should have a range of voices, including ones that differ from the Chair’s
- seeking to push personal agendas – this is about what the community wants
- the only decision-maker or expert in the room
- the day-to-day delivery lead: this is a strategic post
Skills and attributes of a good Chair:
- fair and balanced, ensuring that all voices are heard
- good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge
- open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others
- welcoming, open and listens deeply to others
- calm under pressure and manages conflict well
- has time to prioritise the role
It is expected that the Chair should be someone who is ‘from’, living or working in the area, holds a prominent role in the community or has a passion for the place.
This is a voluntary role, similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee. However, to ensure that Neighbourhood Boards have the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a small basic payment may be provided. Should such an arrangement be agreed, full details of the payment should be published online.
How to apply
If you think that this role might be for you, please submit your Expression of Interest setting out in no more than 500 words:
- how you are connected to the geographical area and community in which you would like to be Chair
- how your skills, attributes and experience will contribute to the role of the Chair
Send your Expression of Interest by email to Wirral CVS at: representation@wcvs.org.uk
Deadline to apply
No later than noon on Friday 20 February 2026.
For more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact Wirral CVS.