Woodpecker Wood CIC Advisory Board Member - Volunteer

Woodpecker Court, Dover

• Ref:KCC886-7916-29S
• Posted:02/05/2025
• Pay:Voluntary
• Start Date:Immediate
• App Close Date:22/07/2025 at 12:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people in the local community? Do you have the skills and experience to help guide a dynamic social enterprise? If so, we want you to join our Advisory Board!

Woodpecker Wood CIC, founded in 2016, is a Social Enterprise that exists for the purpose of improving the life chances of children and young people, whose circumstances have led them to struggle to develop in readiness for adult life. It provides activities and experiences utilising the outdoors to deliver formal and informal education as well as access for community, families and other Youth Organisations to the great outdoors. The aims are to improve outcomes for Children, Young People and their Families in terms of skills, knowledge, self confidence and therefore lifelong prospects.”

Woodpecker Wood CIC works in partnership with Woodpecker Court Ltd to deliver this purpose. Woodpecker Court’s operational ethos is, “Where learning meets the outdoors.” Woodpecker Court is a specialist post 16 education provider with as strong community ethos. It is the common purpose of both organisations to provide outdoor learning opportunities for the immediate community as well as the students that we support. For example, the community farm is there for local people and children to enjoy – it also provides the practical experiences needed for animal care students to achieve.

We are seeking passionate and experienced individuals to join our Advisory Board. As an Advisory Board Member, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of Woodpecker Wood CIC, ensuring we continue to make a positive impact on our community and support the development of young people.

Why Join Us?

Make a Real Impact: Your expertise will directly contribute to improving the lives of children and young people in our local community.

Collaborate with a Dedicated Team: Work alongside like-minded individuals who are committed to social change and community development.

Enhance Your Skills: Gain valuable experience in governance, strategic planning, and community engagement.

Expand Your Network: Connect with professionals and stakeholders who share your passion for making a difference.

Woodpecker Court is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment therefore this post is subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure and references.

For more information please see the attached role description, visit our website Woodpecker Wood CIC | Woodpecker Court or contact our Business Manager, Dawn Fisher: dfisher@woodpeckercourt.com, to arrange an informal chat with the Principal or visit to the provision.

Information about the school

Woodpecker Court is a specialist education provider with specialist post 16 status. We are set in a rural location. We believe that every student is different and treated as an individual and therefore vary our practices to support them holistically. We aim to improve outcomes by providing all of our students with the necessary skills to equip them to sustain their onward destination after leaving us. We have a calm, safe and friendly environment that all of our students together as a community maintain.

We offer our post 16 courses in Land based studies, Animal Care, Catering, or Occupational studies, alongside functional skills English, Maths and Digital Skills.
Many post 16 vulnerable learner programmes fail because the delivery is formal in a classroom. This has not worked for the previous eleven years, so why repeat the process? Block by block, we will enable a young person to tolerate then work with others, show resilience to failure and bad weather. They can have the time and space to express their frustrations in the outdoors. They can fail safely, then learn to succeed. They can develop good peer and staff relationships, and maintain them over time. Then, and only then, do we deliver the formal learning because then students are ready to achieve. Our outdoor experiences are explicitly linked to formal learning objectives. For example, quantities of animal feed are linked to profit margins, having an impact upon Maths.

We provide engagement programmes for learners aged 11-16 by working collaboratively with local schools. Our programmes are run in the great outdoors from our 15 acre site that encompasses woodland, paddocks, classrooms, workshops and at the heart of our community our parachuted fire circles. These engagement programmes offer the chance for schools to prevent exclusion and promote re-engagement by changing the environment completely around the young person. We develop resilience, self-esteem and positivity through introducing routines.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Dawn Fisher
• Address:45 Wigmore Lane, Eythorne, Dover, Kent, CT15 4BF
• Telephone: 01304 830958
• Email: personnel@woodpeckercourt.com

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• CIC role description