Pride In Place - How Can You Get Involved?

This is where you can find out more about the new Pride in Place funding coming to Seacroft.

We Are Seacroft is the engagement partner working with the council to ensure that community voice is at the heart of Pride in Place, shaping it from the beginning.

Here's how you can get involved right at the start:

Neighbourhood Board – Board Member

Pride in Place is a UK-wide government programme, with up to £20 million being invested in

identified neighbourhoods over 10 years. Monkswood & North Seacroft has been identified as one of these areas.

The programme gives communities the power to shape positive and lasting local change, based on local priorities. The spend of the investment will be community led through a locally selected Neighbourhood Board. The Neighbourhood Board will create a Pride in Place plan, which will set out the long-term vision for change, and how the funding will be spent.

The Neighbourhood Board will be led by an Independent Chair and consist of a number of locally selected Board Members. The Chair will lead the process of recruiting and convening the Board, with the support of the council and the local MP.

This role will be voluntary, similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee.

Purpose of the Role

As a Board Member, you will help shape the future of Seacroft. This is about working with others to listen to the community, make decisions, and support positive change over the next 10 years. This role is about contributing your voice, your experience, and your connection to the community.

What Board Members Do

- Help make decisions about priorities and funding

- Bring community voices, experiences, and perspectives into discussions

- Work with others to shape a long-term plan for Seacroft

- Support strong, open, and respectful discussions

- Act as a connector between the Board and the wider community

What Kind of Person We Are Looking For

You might:

- Care about Seacroft and want to see it improve

- Be connected to people, groups, or places in the community

- Be willing to share your views and listen to others

- Be open to learning and trying something new

You do not need:

- Formal qualifications

- Experience of being on a board

Values and Approach

We are taking an asset-based, community-led approach. This means:

- Building on strengths and what already exists

- Supporting people to step into leadership

- Working together, not top-down

- Making sure decisions reflect real community voice

Responsibilities

- Attend and take part in Board meetings

- Listen to and reflect community views

- Work collaboratively with others

- Help make fair and balanced decisions

- Stay focused on what matters most for Seacroft

What the Role Is Not

This role is not:

- About representing only your own interests

- About being an expert in everything

- About making decisions on your own

- About excluding others

Time Commitment

You will be expected to attend regular meetings and take part in discussions. The time commitment will be roughly 8 to 12 hours a month and support will be provided.

Support Available

Support will be available to help you:

- Understand the role and responsibilities

- Build confidence in taking part

- Develop skills over time

There will also be staff support to the programme, provided through the council.

How to Get Involved

You can step forward in a way that suits you:

- Short written response

- Short video

- Conversation with a member of the team

We are interested in hearing:

- Your connection to Seacroft

- What you care about locally

- What you would like to contribute

- What support you might need

Neighbourhood Board - Independent Chair

Pride in Place is a UK-wide government programme, with up to £20 million being invested in identified neighbourhoods over 10 years. Monkswood & North Seacroft has been identified as one of these areas.

The programme gives communities the power to shape positive and lasting local change, based on local priorities. The spend of the investment will be community led through a locally selected Neighbourhood Board. The Neighbourhood Board will create a Pride in Place plan, which will set out the long-term vision for change, and how the funding will be spent.

The Neighbourhood Board will be led by an Independent Chair, appointed and approved by the local MP and council. The Chair will lead the process of recruiting and convening the Board, with the support of the council and the local MP.

This role will be voluntary, 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 from the programme’s dedicated capacity funding to offset expenses.

Purpose of the Role

The Independent Chair will help bring people together to shape the future of Seacroft. This role is about listening deeply to the community, building a shared vision, and supporting local people to lead change. The Chair is not there to control decisions, but to enable others to take part and ensure that community voices drive the programme.

Key Responsibilities

- Chair the Neighbourhood Board in an open, inclusive, and collaborative way

- Bring together residents, community groups, local organisations, and partners

- Support the development of a long-term Pride in Place plan based on community priorities

- Work alongside the Local Authority, MP, and local rooted organisations and networks

- Represent the Board and the community externally

- Ensure that all voices are heard, particularly those less often included

What Kind of Person We Are Looking For

You might:

- Care deeply about Seacroft and want to see it thrive

- Be someone people trust, or someone ready to grow into that role

- Be good at listening and making sure everyone is heard

- Be able to bring people together, even when views differ

- Be open to learning, feedback, and development

You do not need:

- Formal leadership experience

- Previous board experience

Values and Approach

This role is rooted in a community-led, asset-based approach. This means:

- Focusing on strengths, not deficits

- Building on what already exists in the community

- Supporting people to step into leadership

- Working collaboratively rather than directing from the top

- Ensuring decisions reflect community voice

What the Role Is Not

The Chair is not:

- The only decision maker and will work in conjunction with the Board

- Someone pushing a personal agenda but reflecting the broader views of the community

- A representative of only one group or interest

Time Commitment

The role is expected to involve up to 60 hours per month during the initial period, while setting up the Board and drafting the Neighbourhood Plan. This will reduce to approximately 8 to 12 hours per month thereafter. Time commitments will include convening Board meetings and attending local engagement events.

Support Available

Support will be available to help you to:

- Understand the role

- Build confidence in governance and leadership

- Develop your skills over time

There will also be staff support to the programme, provided through the council.

How to Express Interest

We welcome people to step forward in a way that feels comfortable to them. You can:

- Submit a short, written response (max 500 words)

- Send a short video (up to 2 minutes)

- Have a conversation with a member of the team who can capture your responses

We are interested in hearing

- Your connection to Seacroft

- What you care about locally

- What strengths or experience you would bring

- What support you might need

To apply, email this email with your responses to the following questions: 

Name:

Organisation (if applicable):

Address:

Email Address:

Telephone Number:

Please choose your connection to Seacroft North & Monkswood: (You can choosemore than one)

• Resident

• Work

• Business

• Volunteer

• Other (please specify)

Please indicate the role that you are interested in.

• Chair

• Board Member

• Both

1. Please tell us why you would like to become the Chair, or a member of the Neighbourhood Board for Seacroft North & Monkswood.

2. Please tell us what skills and experience that you could bring to the role.

3. What 3 things would you like to see happen as part of the Pride in Place Programme in Seacroft North & Monkswood?

4. Is there any support that you might need to help you undertake the role?

Please return your completed questions to:

Email: [email protected] 

If you want to speak to anyone or need support completing this form, please call us at 07545 603978 or email: [email protected] 

If you would like to apply in the form of a video or audio, please contact this email for support: [email protected] 

_If you have questions about Pride in Place or need help to access the application process, there is in person support available at the LS14 Trust on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. _