Trustees Week: Jacob Ayre’s Journey of Community Impact

Transitioning from a career in social care and advocacy to a corporate environment managing charity work with Wesleyan has been an incredible journey—one that has allowed me to bring my passion for advocacy into new spaces. This Trustee Week, I want to share a bit about why making this shift has been fulfilling and how I’m able to continue supporting those causes that matter most to me, especially as a volunteer trustee for Shropshire PCAS.

From Social Care to Charity Management

Working in Social care and advocacy work was always a big part of my identity. I was committed to getting people’s voices heard, living the lives they wanted to, addressing real life inequalities, and working towards independence. When I joined Wesleyan to manage their charity work, I knew I'd be stepping into a new role, but I hadn’t anticipated just how transferable my experience in social care would be. Here, my skills in advocacy, empathy, and community engagement are as vital as they were in my previous role, helping me to drive meaningful charitable initiatives that align with Wesleyan's values.

Bringing Advocacy Skills to the Boardroom

One of the most rewarding aspects of my new role was how much I still get to work on causes I believe in. As a trustee for Shropshire PCAS, an organisation close to my heart, I continue to put my advocacy experience to use. Serving on a board demands a different perspective—strategic thinking, governance, and decision-making—but I find that my social care background remains invaluable. Understanding the real-world impact of our decisions on individuals, especially vulnerable communities, helps me guide our discussions toward meaningful, practical outcomes. I especially enjoy working on a board of trustees which has the trustees with the lived experience of using the services we deliver.

My work at Wesleyan supports this, too. I’m fortunate that Wesleyan recognises the importance of trustee roles and actively supports them through volunteering leave. This not only enables me to continue my involvement with Shropshire PCAS but also shows how Wesleyan helps to foster a culture of giving back.

“We as a team are so grateful to our amazing team of Trustees, they are always there to support us as a team when we feel stressed and under pressure. Jacob is such an important member of our Board of Trustees, with all his knowledge and experience of advocacy, he is invaluable.” - Simon Arthur, Manager, Shropshire PCAS

Volunteering Leave as a Corporate Bridge to Community Impact

Wesleyan’s volunteering leave policy allows me to dedicate time and energy to Shropshire PCAS in a structured way, without having to balance it solely outside of working hours. This time is invaluable, both for the organisation and for me personally. I can bring insights from my corporate role directly into my trustee work, finding innovative ways to support the charity's goals. For example, navigating corporate partnerships, understanding funding strategies, and understanding corporates aims have all become more accessible thanks to my experiences in Wesleyan’s community work.

Why Trustees Matter

Trustees play a unique role in the charity system, they bring outside skills, diverse perspectives, and a willingness to lead behind the scenes. It’s deeply satisfying to know that while I’ve changed the setting of my career, my commitment to advocacy remains at the heart of what I do. For anyone considering a trustee role, Trustee Week is the perfect time to reflect on how valuable your skills could be for a charity in need.

So, if you're inspired to contribute, think about the causes you’re passionate about and consider how you might lend your voice, skills, and time to a trustee role. For me, being a trustee and continuing my journey in advocacy alongside my work at Wesleyan has been a key part of holding onto my identity of working for a charity which gets people voices heard, and needs met.