Trustee/Director of Wessex Rivers Trust
Salary: Pro Bono
Based at: Hybrid working (remote plus Wessex RT Head Office in Salisbury)
Closing Date: 15th December, 2025
About the Wessex Rivers Trust
Wessex RT is a company limited by guarantee (company no. 06822819) and a registered charity (charity no. 1130991). We are dedicated to conserving chalk streams and rivers — principally the Stour, Avon, Test, Itchen and Meon — across Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We focus on delivering practical environmental enhancements, championing the catchment-based approach, and engaging people in the importance of healthy rivers.
Wessex RT is part of the UK’s Rivers Trust movement, a network of over 60 local trusts that has been at the forefront of influencing policy and delivering catchment-wide initiatives for more than 30 years. This membership places us in an excellent position to shape and deliver action for these unique, threatened and globally important habitats.
About the Role
Wessex RT is seeking applications for up to three new members of its board of directors to help it grow and develop its vital environmental and educational work. The board has particularly identified the need to bolster its expertise in finance, communications and education.
Wessex RT is governed by a board of directors which meets quarterly. The board provides guidance on Wessex RT’s strategy, key objectives and targets, and major decisions involving the use of its resources. Day-to-day responsibilities are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other staff. Wessex RT funds its activities through members’ subscriptions, grants from trusts, gifts, service level agreements and a variety of river restoration and educational projects.
Directors are appointed for the skills they can contribute to the company’s governance and activities. They must observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity and ensure that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times. Wessex RT is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion at all levels of its governance and workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. It is our aim that our staff and directors / trustees are representative of all sections of society, and for each to feel respected and able to give their best irrespective of their background.
Directors of Wessex RT are expected to prepare for and attend four board meetings each year. They may also be asked to serve on committees of the board according to their experience and expertise, or to fill a board role such as chair or vice-chair.
There is no minimum or maximum period of appointment. Directors give their time at no cost to Wessex RT although they are able to claim reasonable out of pocket costs if any are incurred.
Essential Skills:
• Commitment to Wessex RT’s mission with knowledge of, and a strong personal interest in, some areas of its work.
• A willingness to act corporately on Wessex RT’s board of directors and to contribute to board discussions.
• An interest in, and understanding of, the roles and responsibilities of a charity trustee.
• An ability to address difficult issues with energy and diplomacy, and to work with Wessex RT’s board in reaching conclusions.
Desirable Skills:
• A proven track record of working at a senior level with experience of managing organisations.
• Prior experience as a company director and/or charity trustee with an ability to exercise judgement across a broad spectrum of policy issues.
• Prior experience of the education, financial services, IT, land management and communications sectors.
• Experience of fund raising in the charitable sector.
• Broad expertise in issues surrounding river and catchment management.
Duties
As a director and charity trustee, successful applicants will have to ensure that Wessex RT undertakes the work for which it has been established and will be responsible for developing and maintaining a high standard of governance. Please click here for the Terms of Reference for Wessex RT’s Directors.
Additional Information
Click here for the full Recruitment Brief
For information on how to apply, please click here for the Recruitment Form
Applicants wishing to find out more about Wessex RT or the role of its directors may attend a drop-in Zoom call with its CEO and some current directors from 5:30pm on 2nd December 2025. If this is of interest, please request a Zoom link via email to recruitment@wessexrt.org.uk
Community Engagement Volunteer
Vacancy: Community Engagement Volunteer
Organisation: Wessex Rivers Trust
Closing date: Ongoing
Location: Wylye Valley with the potential to engage other communities on the headwaters of The Hampshire Avon.
Responsible to: Lindsey Death Engagement Officer and/or Tracy Standish, Senior Education Officer.
Background Wessex Rivers Trust (Wessex RT) is an environmental charity, dedicated to the protection and conservation of rivers and chalk streams in the Wessex area. Wessex RT is part of the Rivers Trust movement; the umbrella organisation helping to protect and enhance most of the UK’s rivers. The Trust acknowledges that educating and engaging with a wide and diverse audience is essential to sustaining long-term interest in our local rivers and chalk streams and empowering local communities to take ownership of these precious habitats.
To deliver on this ambition, the Trust is working on a 5-year engagement programme on the headwaters of The Hampshire Avon. Funded through Wessex Water’s Partner’s Programme with support from Wiltshire County Council, Our Healthy Headwaters is supporting communities on the headwaters of The Hampshire Avon to take positive action that will improve the health of the river catchments. The project has four core areas of focus:
1. ‘Save Every Drop’ - Promoting water-saving behaviours at home, school and at work.
2. ‘What’s Going Down the Plughole’ - Raising awareness of the chemicals used in domestic cleaning, personal care and in gardening.
3. ‘Septic Smart’ – Awareness-raising campaign about how to use and maintain septic tanks in ways that minimise pollution to rivers and groundwater.
4. Pet Medications - educating communities about the impact of spot-on pet treatments on aquatic life.
We are looking for volunteers to support the Engagement Officer on the various elements of the Our Healthy Headwaters Project. The focus will be to engage people of all ages to understand, care for and protect their local river by making changes to the way they use water. A range of engagement strategies will be used to find positive and meaningful connections between communities and their headwater. Tasks could vary greatly depending on your experience and interests, and you may have the opportunity to get involved in a range of activities. Time commitment will be variable but is likely to be about one day per month but can be determined by you depending on your availability, frequency and seasonality of activities.
Role Description
To apply for this position please email info@wessexrt.org.uk, letting us know in a few sentences why you’d like to volunteer with us.
Education Volunteer
Vacancy: Education Volunteer
Organisation: Wessex Rivers Trust
Closing date: Ongoing
Do you have a passion for the environment and education? Are you interested in helping Wessex Rivers Trust deliver river education sessions? Apply to be an Education Volunteer today!
Wessex Rivers Trust is looking for a group of dedicated volunteers to support the Education and Engagement team deliver sessions to school groups, home education groups, youth groups (e.g. scouting and guiding) and at public events.
The role will be mostly site-based working, either by a river or in-school, with occasional visits to our head office in Salisbury.
Role Description
To apply for this position please email us at recruitment@wessexrt.org.uk letting us know in a few sentences why you’d like to volunteer with us. Please also include your CV (3 pages maximum).