26/08/2022 - Permalink

Call for volunteers to champion culture across Shropshire

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage / Partner organisations

People with an interest in championing culture in Shropshire are being invited to join a new board of volunteers called the Cultural Compact.

Shropshire Council is looking for up to 15 volunteer board members to establish and manage Shropshire’s new Cultural Compact. The compact will be independent of the council, and have a cross-sector partnership and broad membership, bringing together culture, business, education, health, social care and other sectors.

Its role will be to deliver the county’s cultural strategy, Vibrant Shropshire, to ensure that culture thrives in Shropshire and enhances the county’s health, wellbeing, resilience, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, culture, leisure and tourism, and transport, said:-

“At one level, ‘culture’ is about what makes Shropshire special: those favourite places to go and things to do that attract and inspire visitors, both local and from further afield.

“But it is much more than this. Culture affects every aspect of our lives, strengthening the economy, aiding health and wellbeing, and valuing and caring for the environment.

“The work of the Cultural Compact board will reflect the broad reach that culture has on our society, and will support a shared cultural ambition to make Shropshire a place where extraordinary and everyday cultural experiences are a source of inspiration for all.”

The Cultural Compact has been made possible thanks to a £20,000 Arts Council England grant being awarded to Shropshire Council.

Volunteer board members will be responsible for:

  • delivering the county’s cultural strategy and strategic projects
  • raising funds to support the delivery of projects
  • recruitment of Compact members
  • communications and advocating on behalf of culture
  • working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Music and Sport and Arts Council England.

Cultural Compact candidates will be expected to demonstrate:

    • an understanding of how culture can be a catalyst for change and bring economic, environmental and social value to Shropshire
    • value collaborative working to achieve the county’s priorities
    • be a senior decision-maker and influencer in their own sector
    • volunteer time to attend quarterly meetings and deliver projects
    • be prepared to lead, participate in, or allocate resources to, projects
    • champion sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion
    • use innovative tactics to raise funds for projects
    • be a strong networker, able to influence and advocate.

Potential candidates can find out more at an online briefing session on Thursday 15 September 2022 from 2pm to 2.30pm. Email CLT@Shropshire.gov.uk to book a place. Applications, including a candidate’s CV and covering letter, can also be emailed to CLT@Shropshire.gov.uk. Closing date for entries is Monday 3 October 2022 at 12pm.