Notice of MFT’s 2026 Annual General Meeting

News
September 21, 2026

We’re delighted to invite you to our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) — an opportunity to learn more about MFT, have your say and celebrate the difference we’re making together.

1. Key information

Thursday 12 November 2026

11am–2pm (registration from 10.30am)

Abraham Dixon Hall, The Leatherhead Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8AH

What’s happening on the day?

11am–11.45am: Formal AGM, including voting by Members
11.45am–12.45pm: Lunch, provided
12.45pm–2pm: Celebrating our Impact: Talks and Client Stories

Everyone is welcome to attend. Only Members can vote on formal AGM decisions.

2. Membership: Have your say!

Becoming a Member is a way to get more involved in MFT and help shape our future. Members can vote on important decisions at the AGM and stay informed about our work and strategy.

You don’t have to be a Member to attend the AGM. You can register to attend, become a Member, or do both.

Want to find out more before deciding? Join one of our online AGM Information Sessions to learn what membership involves, understand your voting options and ask any questions.

AGM Information Sessions

Tuesday 29 September 2026

Choose one of two sessions: 12.30pm–1.15pm OR 6.30pm–7.15pm

Online via Zoom

Book your place at an AGM Information Session

Or contact coproduction@maryfrancestrust.org.uk or call 01372 375400.

You can also visit our AGM webpage and read our Membership Rules.

3. Register for the AGM

REGISTRATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED, BUT YOU CAN STILL REGISTER TO ATTEND OUR AGM.

AGM Online Registration Form

Registration deadlines:

Monday 5 October 2026: To apply for or renew your MFT Membership.
Thursday 5 November 2026: To register to attend the AGM as a guest, without becoming a Member.

Can’t attend in person? If you register as a Member but cannot attend the AGM, you must return a completed proxy voting form by Friday 6 November 2026 to cast your vote.

Prefer to register another way? Get in touch:

communications@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
01372 375400
07929 024722 (SMS service)

Please let us know about any dietary or accessibility requirements when registering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s on the AGM agenda?

This year, our AGM has two sessions:

1. Our Formal AGM (11am–11.45am)

Open to everyone, this session is an opportunity to learn more about MFT, our services, governance and finances.

You’ll hear about our 2025/2026 financial results and service highlights, meet our CEO, Trustees, volunteers, clients and team as well as be able to ask any questions!

Members can vote on important decisions and ask questions. Attending the Formal AGM is a membership responsibility. Members who cannot attend in person must vote by proxy, provided their completed form is returned by the deadline.

2. Celebrating our Impact: Talks & Client Stories (12.45pm–2pm)

Hear how MFT is making a difference through client stories and insights into our impact on individuals, communities and the local mental health system.

We’re delighted to welcome Helen Rostill, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Therapies Officer, at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP), as one of our key speakers.

Lunch and networking (11.45am–12.45pm)

Lunch is provided between the two sessions, giving you time to take a break, connect with others and network.

A detailed agenda will be shared with registered attendees closer to the event.

Why is the AGM in two parts?

We’ve listened to feedback from Members and attendees at last year’s AGM and made changes to make the event more accessible and welcoming.

These include:

Moving to a daytime event to avoid travelling at night.
Choosing a familiar venue in Leatherhead town centre.
Providing a longer break with lunch between the two sessions.
Separating the formal AGM from the talks to give non-Members more flexibility in how they take part.
Providing clear information before and during the AGM.

We’re also holding online AGM Information Sessions for anyone interested in becoming a Member. These are an opportunity to learn what membership involves, understand your responsibilities and voting options, and ask questions before deciding whether to join. The sessions are facilitated by Megan, our Co-Production Lead.

Book your place at an AGM Information Session, or contact coproduction@maryfrancestrust.org.uk or call 01372 375400.

We’ll also invite Members to join us at MFT for a coffee and a chance to meet one another at 10am on Thursday 12 November, before the AGM.

What will Members be voting on?

People who have registered as Members by 5 October 2026 will be eligible to vote on:

Approval of the 2025 AGM minutes.
Approval of our 2025/2026 Annual Report and Accounts.
Appointment of auditors for 2026/2027.
Election of Trustees.

In mid-October, eligible Members will receive the voting documents, including:

The 2025 AGM minutes.
The draft 2025/2026 Annual Report and Accounts.
Trustee profiles.
A proxy voting form for Members who cannot attend in person.

Can anyone become a Member of MFT?

You can become a Member of Mary Frances Trust if you:

Are aged 18 or over.
Have experience of emotional or mental health issues, either currently or in the past, or care for someone with emotional or mental health issues.
Live in the UK.

You do not need to have used our services before. Clients and volunteers are not automatically Members, but are welcome and encouraged to register.

Staff, Trustees and Patrons cannot become Members of MFT.

Interested in becoming a Member but want to find out more first? Join one of our online AGM Information Sessions:

Tuesday 29 September 2026

Choose one of two sessions: 12.30pm–1.15pm OR 6.30pm–7.15pm

Online via Zoom

Book your place at an AGM Information Session

Or contact coproduction@maryfrancestrust.org.uk or call 01372 375400.

You can also visit our AGM webpage and read our Membership Rules .

I’d like to become a Member but can’t attend the AGM. Can I still vote?

Absolutely! If you register as a Member but cannot attend the AGM in person, you must complete and return a proxy voting form by Friday 6 November 2026 to cast your vote.

When registering, please let us know that you won’t be attending in person. We’ll send you a proxy voting form by email or post.

When filling the proxy form, please ensure you:

Complete your details.
Indicate how you wish to vote on each item.
Sign the form.
Return it to us by Friday 6 November 2026.

Your proxy vote can only be counted if we receive a completed and signed form by the deadline. Incomplete or late forms cannot be counted.

You can still be a Member and stay involved in MFT’s work even if you cannot attend the AGM in person.

Why do Members need to register by 5 October 2026?

We need to send voting documents to Members at least 14 clear days before the AGM. Registering by 5 October gives our Board time to approve new Memberships and allows us to send the documents in time for Members to review them before voting.

I registered as a Member last year. Do I need to register again?

Yes. MFT Membership lasts for one year, so if you registered last year, you’ll need to renew your Membership by Monday 5 October 2026 to retain your voting rights.

You can renew using our AGM Online Registration Form or by contacting us:

communications@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
01372 375400
07929 024722 (SMS service)

I’d like to attend as a non-Member. Do I need to register by 5 October?

No. If you’re attending as a non-Member and don’t wish to become a Member, you can register up until Thursday 5 November 2026.

Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM, but only Members can vote on formal AGM decisions.

How can I get to The Leatherhead Institute?

By car: Paid parking is available at nearby car parks, including the Swan Centre and Church Street.

By public transport: Local buses stop nearby, and Leatherhead railway station is approximately a 13-minute walk away.

Download our AGM Transport Information Sheet for more details.

Expense claim forms will be available at the AGM if you wish to claim back bus, train or parking costs. Please bring your receipts. Taxi fares cannot be reimbursed.