Trustee

Role description

We’re currently looking for a new Trustee to join our Board with experience of working within the mental health sector or maybe commissioning experience of the type of services we provide.

The responsibilities of the Board include deciding overall strategy and operational policy, enabling Mary Frances Trust (MFT) to meet its aims within constraints on resources, ensuring the funds are properly accounted for, supporting staff in securing funding, employing senior staff and overseeing the operation of all Board responsibilities which are delegated to staff.

As part of your role as a Trustee you will:

• Take on the legal responsibilities of a charity Trustee and Company Director.
• Ensure that the vision and mission of MFT is maintained.
• Work with the staff, fellow Trustees and people using our services to determine the overall direction and development of the charity through strategic planning and good governance.
• Ensure that MFT and its representatives operate within all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Attend bi-monthly Board meetings, Board away days, AGM, relevant training, events and other meetings throughout the year, as agreed.
• Contribute to discussions and decision-making, and support all decisions once they have been reached by the Board.
• Work on, and possibly chair, sub-committees or working parties, as agreed.
• Be proactive in developing the charity’s network of support and always be an ambassador for MFT.
• Support the charity’s fundraising strategy by assisting in the cultivation and stewardship of potential and existing donors.
• Occasionally undertake investigations of complaints or handle staff issues in accordance with relevant MFT policies.
• Commit to a term of 3 years.

In return Mary Frances Trust can offer:

• A great opportunity to play a vital role in the development of a mental health charity.
• A full and tailored induction into our work.
• Access to trustee training courses, as required.
• The chance to be a part of an enthusiastic and dedicated team.
• Out of pocket expenses.

About MFT

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a charitable organisation established in 1994 by people who used mental health services, carers and professionals to support people with any mental health problems. We provide a non-medical service set up to address the social consequences of mental health problems on the lives and well-being of people with mental or emotional problems.

Our Vision

We believe anyone experiencing any kind of mental or emotional health issues should be unafraid to ask for help, receive appropriate support for as long as they need, and feel inspired to develop the skills that will help them to restore and maintain their own wellbeing.

Our Values

In everything we do, we always aim to be:

• Inspiring – we offer everyone a personal, tailored approach with the space to think, try things out and find out what is working for them. We support people to draw from their own strengths and resources. We inspire and empower them to develop the skills that will help them to become experts at maintaining their own wellbeing.
• Inclusive – the people we support aren’t passive recipients of services we design for them. We believe in a strength-based approach, where we listen and tap into their expertise. We involve them in every aspect of our organisation, including the design, delivery, monitoring, review and development of services that respond to their changing needs.
• Connected– we believe in the power of connections. Our services are always designed to help people connect or re-connect with their local community. We work in collaboration with local and national organisations to provide access to first-class mental health support in the communities we serve.
• Respectful – we welcome everyone, and value equality and mutual respect. We offer the people we support a place where they feel safe and belong. We treat them with the same care as our staff and volunteers. We are committed to carrying our values in everything we do – both inside and outside of our organisation.
• Positive – our mental health shouldn’t dictate who we are or limit what we do. We support and inspire everyone to achieve their own goals and potential, so they can lead a fulfilling emotional life. We believe that everyone can find their own mental wellbeing, whether they have a serious mental health condition or not.

How to apply

We would be interested to hear from anyone in particular who has experience of and / or interest in:

• Mental health / mental health commissioning (must);
• Co-production – working with those who use services to empower them to develop, review and deliver those services (desired)
• Human Resources (desired)

We also encourage applications from people from minority ethnic groups, who are currently under-represented on our Board. To see who currently sits on our Board, please visit our Trustees page.

If you share our values, are excited to help us deliver on our mission and have the skills and expertise we seek, we’d love to hear from you!

To find out more about Mary Frances Trust and our work, check the rest of our website. You are also very welcome to email our Chair – Sam Greenhouse at sam@maryfrancestrust.org.uk or CEO – Patrick Wolter at patrickwolter@maryfrancestrust.org.uk or call 01372375400 to discuss the role before applying.

Please apply by submitting a CV and covering letter, explaining the reasons you wish to join the Board and how you feel you will contribute to Mary Frances Trust. You can send your applications to Patrick Wolter and Sam Greenhouse (emails above).

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