Trustee

Lead the change you want to see

Set the agenda for community action on climate change

FEL Trustee Brief

March 2026

A Welcome from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in joining FEL as a Trustee.

It’s a privilege to serve as Chair of the Board, and to support an organisation that has grown
in reach, confidence and impact over the past years. Together, we’ve worked alongside
communities across Forth Valley and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs to turn practical ideas
into lasting social and environmental change.

FEL exists to help communities respond to the climate and nature emergency in ways that
are practical, inclusive and locally rooted. We strengthen resilience, cut emissions, restore
nature and create opportunities — making sure no one is left behind in the transition to a
more sustainable future.

From increasing access to bikes through our pioneering Bike Library, to supporting local food
growing, to building climate skills and confidence, our work is grounded in real places and
real relationships.

Now, we are entering a new phase — expanding our influence through the Climate Action
Hub network and developing community energy partnerships across sectors.

Our Trustees play a vital role in shaping that future. If you are passionate about community-
led climate action and can bring strategic insight, independent judgement and commitment,
we would love to hear from you.

Being a Trustee at FEL is a rewarding opportunity to work with committed people in an
organisation that helps communities live well, feel good and look after where they live.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Alan Stewart
Chair

Who we are

FEL is an environmental charity that’s changing our world for the better, project by project.

We believe that powerful change can be simple to make.

From e-bike libraries to vertical gardens, we bring innovative solutions that combine the

latest technology with a hands-on approach. By working with communities, we show people

how to make everyday improvements that help them, their neighbours, and the planet.

Our Approach: Three Steps to Sustainability

At FEL we design solutions to the problems our communities are facing. Our three-step

approach runs through everything we do, guiding how we design, test, and scale solutions,

and how we engage communities through awareness, access, and action.

Our three-step approach is:

1. Understanding local challenges:

Listening to communities and identifying where our support will have the greatest impact.

2. Developing practical responses:

Creating tailored, scalable solutions that help people to make choices that are good for them

and for the environment.

3. Collaborating for long-term impact:

Working alongside partners to drive long-term impact, build resilience, and support healthy,

thriving communities.

Above all, we don’t tell anyone what to do. We show communities what’s possible and help

them figure out what works best for them. Then we work together to make positive change

happen – for people and the planet.

What we do

FEL works at the intersection of climate action and everyday life.

We focus on the practical changes that make the biggest difference to people and place —

and we design projects that help communities lead that change themselves. The heart of our

work is about making climate action practical, inclusive and achievable — building stronger

communities while protecting the places we all depend on.

Our work centres around the following core areas:

Travel

We support people to walk, wheel and cycle more — making sustainable travel normal,

accessible and affordable.

Through community programmes, like our innovative e-bike library and our Active School

Hubs, we build the social infrastructure required (skills, confidence and equipment) to enable

active travel to become the easy choice for everyday journeys.

Energy

We provide practical support to help households reduce energy use and costs, while cutting

carbon emissions. Alongside this, we work with communities to explore and develop their

renewable energy potential — strengthening local resilience and contributing to a just

transition.

Food

We support communities to localise their food systems. From growing and sharing to

strengthening partnerships and local skills, we help increase access to and awareness of

affordable, nutritious food.

Climate

We help communities take action on climate change in ways that reflect their own priorities

and circumstances.

Through our Climate Action Hub and wider partnerships, we provide funding, training and

coordination that enables locally led climate solutions to flourish.

Importantly, when the right funding and policy conditions are in place, we respond.

Whether it’s nature restoration, repair and reuse initiatives, skills development or community

wellbeing, we design and deliver projects that align with our mission and create lasting local
impact.

Project Videos

Hawkhill Community Garden

Balfron High School – Bike Repair Scheme

Trustee Perspective

Where you fit

The opportunity: Become a Trustee

We are seeking new Trustees to join our Board and help shape FEL’s long-term direction.

If you care about community-led climate action, can think strategically, and are willing to offer

constructive challenge and support, this could be a meaningful role for you.

We are particularly interested in people with experience in:

•  Digital and technology

•

Impact and evaluation

•  Finance

•  HR and organisational development

•  Community sports, education or youth engagement

•  Community or sustainable energy

•  Equality, diversity and inclusion

However, we welcome interest from people of all backgrounds. Different perspectives

strengthen our governance, and your experience may be exactly what we need.

We are especially keen to diversify our Board in terms of age, background and lived

experience. We encourage applications from younger people, individuals from ethnic

minority communities, and anyone who has participated in or benefited from FEL’s work.

Previous Board experience is not essential. We provide induction, mentoring and ongoing

support to help you contribute with confidence.

FEL is a registered charity committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively

encourage applications from all sections of the community.

The role: What’s involved

FEL Trustees’ main duties are

•  Promoting and representing our vision, mission and values

•  Setting our long-term strategic direction and goals

•  Making sure we have the structure and resources to achieve them

•  Agreeing the policies and procedures through which we work

•  Offering support and advice to the FEL board, staff and volunteers

•  Making sure we correctly monitor and report on what we do

•  Managing risk, guaranteeing accountability and ensuring we comply with all

requirements of our governing document, regulators and the law

•  Making sure we manage our finances prudently and report on them accurately

•  Representing FEL in our dealings with external stakeholders and partners

Above all, our Trustees use their skills, knowledge and experience to help our Board make

the right decisions that will keep us changing our world for the better. They do this by:

•  Scrutinising board papers

•  Leading discussions

•  Focusing on strategic priorities

•  Providing guidance on new initiatives

The commitment: What you’ll need to do

FEL Trustees are all volunteers, and we expect them to give around 6-8 days a year to the

organisation. Although the role is unpaid, we reimburse expenses incurred on FEL’s behalf

and in travelling to Board meetings. The Trustees meet every other month, normally at the

main FEL office in Stirling but potentially also online. Apologies for absence are by exception

only and can be given for a maximum of two meetings a year. For this reason, we prefer our

Trustees to be able to control their own diary. FEL Trustees are appointed for a three-year

term and can be re-appointed twice.

How to apply

If this sounds like you – and you like the sound of us – then please apply by emailing us your

CV and a word document explaining why you’d like to work for us and what you can bring to

the role (500 words max).

Send your application to info@felscotland.org by 9am, Monday 13th April 2026.

If you need more information, any support in making your application or would like to chat to

us about the role and how your skills and experience might fit, do get in touch: just email

info@felscotland.org to arrange a time to talk.

We look forward to hearing from you and working together to help people, their communities

and our planet thrive.