Trustee spotlight: Jonathan Jelley - Cambridgeshire Community Foundation

To celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we caught up with one of our amazing Trustees to hear from them about their motivations for volunteering at the Foundation, and the impact they feel they are having to lives across Cambridgeshire.

After a successful career in investment banking, and a long-term commitment to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, Jonathan Jelley MBE JP now serves in a number of voluntary roles including Chairman of both Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service and Healthwatch Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. Jonathan is also a Presiding Justice and holds several other trustee and non-executive roles in heritage and enterprise across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

No stranger to volunteering, we wondered what drew Jonathan to becoming a Trustee for Cambridgeshire Community Foundation:

“I was aware of the excellent work and impact of the Foundation and became a trustee to help bring greater focus toward Peterborough.” Jonathan tells us.

He continues, “I’m delighted this has begun to take shape with the recent launch of the Fund for Peterborough – but there’s still much more to do. As someone deeply involved in Peterborough’s civic and community life, I know the difference targeted funding can make here. Ensuring the city gets its fair share of resources matters to me greatly.”

Having a direct impact

Jonathan’s personal focus on Peterborough is understandable. Cambridgeshire can be perceived as affluent, but our Vital Signs Report highlighted that it is really a county of contrasts. “The sheer diversity of needs across the county has been eye-opening.” Jonathan says, “But it’s been inspiring to see just how many grassroots organisations are doing vital work, often on very limited resources.”

Being a Trustee has meant that Jonathan feels he can have a direct impact on that work, telling us that “seeing how targeted funding can transform communities and support those most in need is incredibly rewarding. It is a privilege to help shape decisions that have real, lasting impact across Cambridgeshire.”

Jonathan finishes our catch up by telling us what he loves about living in Cambridgeshire:

“I love the rich diversity of its people and places – from historic cities like Peterborough, Cambridge and Ely to vibrant, close-knit communities across the county. There’s a strong spirit of collaboration and a real desire to make a positive difference, which makes the county a great place to live and serve.”

“
It’s been humbling and motivating to work alongside passionate people who are so committed to making a difference in their communities.
”
Jonathan Jelley MBE JP
Trustee for Cambridgeshire Community Foundation

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