Trustee Opportunities at the Mental Health Foundation

Transcription

1 Trustee Opportunities at the Mental Health Foundation

2 Letter from Keith Leslie, Chair of the Foundation Thank you for your interest in becoming a trustee of the Mental Health Foundation. We believe that everyone has the right to good mental health. We are committed to making that right a reality. There has never been a more urgent need to change the way we tackle mental health issues in our society. Mental health problems have a huge impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities, as well as costing the UK economy over 100 billion each year. The Foundation argues that we have to change our approach and focus far more on prevention the only way that fundamental change can be achieved. We are at a pivotal moment. Working with other leading charities and professional bodies we have succeeded in getting mental health recognised as a priority at the highest levels of government. The opportunities to create significant change have never been greater. The Mental Health Foundation has to focus its attention and resources on the areas where it can make most difference. At the same time we aim to grow our resources so that our reach and impact can be greater. The Trustee Board is a vitally important part of the charity. The trustees own the Foundation s vision of good mental health for all and our mission to create and share knowledge of the steps to take to reduce risks and to increase resilience to mental health problems. The Trustee Board provides strategic direction to the Chief Executive and executive team, supports and challenges them and ensures that the Foundation makes determined progress towards its goals. Trustees bring a range of experience of charity governance and financing as well as of mental health. You will find more information about Foundation and the expectations and responsibilities of trustees in this pack. If you are up for the challenge I hope that you will get in touch. Kind regards, Keith Leslie Chair

3 About the Mental Health Foundation Good Mental Health for All Our passionate belief is that good mental health is fundamental to a good life. We believe that people can often prevent mental health problems when they understand how to protect and sustain their mental health. Prevention is at the heart of what we do. We create and share knowledge that empowers people how to reduce the risks, to increase their resilience and to act to promote wider improvements in public mental health. We develop and run research and delivery programmes that give us the evidence and expertise to know what works. We use and share what we learn to help everyone, by offering straightforward and clear information on mental health and tools for commissioners and services in many areas to make an impact through effective prevention. We influence senior policymakers at national and local levels, advocating for change, using firm evidence and drawing on the expertise of people with direct lived experience of the issues. The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity, established for 65 years, that uses public donations and grants from trusts and foundations to deliver and advocate for good mental health for all. Every year we reach out to the public on a major mental health issue through Mental Health Awareness Week. For full information on our activities see our website: Our strategy, A New Way Forward, is at: new-way-forward We keep supporters and partners up to date with: Facebook: mentalhealthfoundation

4 Governance There are currently 12 trustees including the Chair of the Board, Keith Leslie, and the chairs of four board committees. We would like to welcome new trustees during The full Trustee Board currently meets 5 times a year in a variety of formats. Each year, usually in March, we hold an away day where the Board meets senior members of the Foundation s management team to review and consider direction and strategy. This is one of the main opportunities for the diverse skills and experiences of our trustees to help inform and support the work of the Foundation. The away day is usually preceded by a dinner, kindly hosted by the Chair of the Board, providing a good opportunity for trustees to get to know each other in a more informal setting. Our other Board meetings are either conducted face-to-face at the main offices of the Foundation in London or via tele-conferencing, enabling trustees to participate wherever they happen to be at the time. There are also four committees of the Board which focus on Finance and Resources, Fundraising and Communications, Development and Nominations (Governance). Each Committee is chaired by a trustee and includes some other trustees, members of the executive team and other experts as required. Each committee meets 3 to 4 times per year. These arrangements give appointed trustees, and those who are exploring potential trustee roles, the widest opportunities to participate and contribute. Those formally appointed as trustees normally serve a three year term of office, with the possibility of a second three year term, subject to approval by the Board. Trustees are expected to attend the Board meetings and to play an active part in at least one committee in which they have identified an interest. Trustees are required to make a declaration of interests in accordance with the requirements of charity regulators.

5 Finance The Foundation runs an annual budget of around 4.4 million. Our income is principally from programme grants, donations and gifts and legacies. We are exploring new areas of income from high value donors, corporates and social enterprise. At the end of the financial year 2014/2015 the Foundation recorded a surplus of just over 40,000, of which 12,000 is in unrestricted funds and 28,000 in restricted funds. Total income for the year amounted to 4,460,000, an increase of 6% over the previous year. This was mainly due to higher legacy income, offset by lower income from statutory grants. There was a slight fall of 4% in the value of grants received which was 1.3 million. This reflected a decrease in statutory grants, common across the sector, balanced by an increase in other grants of 130,000. Total spending at 4.4 million was 150,000 higher than in the previous year due to an increase in expenditure in delivery of the Foundation s charitable activities. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Foundation for the last three years are at mentalhealth.org.uk/about-us/annualreports Donations and gifts at 1,031,000 were 18,360 higher than in the previous year and legacy income at 1,135,000 was 47% higher.

6 Expressing your interest We would like to get to know prospective trustees and propose initial engagement in one of our committees so you can get a flavour of our activity, see how you can best contribute and whether you would like to join the main Trustee Board. We believe this is an exciting opportunity for people who have a commitment to see change in the approach to mental health and can contribute personal experience and skills to the oversight role of a trustee. We would expect all trustees to have knowledge or experience of charity trusteeship or willingness to attend specific training for trustees. We are particularly interested in adding to the Board expertise in the fields of fundraising, communications, preventative approaches in mental health, health commissioning, research and finance, in particular charity finance. We value the involvement of people who bring knowledge of lived experience of mental health issues. To enable us to maintain diversity on the board we would particularly welcome applications from women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. To express your interest please send us a CV and a covering letter in which you should indicate: Your interest in mental health and in the Mental Health Foundation, referring to particular experience Any experience you have in governance in a charity, private or public body Your goals and what you would hope to achieve as a trustee with the Foundation Any specific role or roles you consider yourself suited to among Finance, Resources, Fundraising, Communications, Reputation Management, Research, and Project Development. Please send this information or any queries by to Mary Lawrence, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive at mlawrence@mentalhealth.org.uk to arrive no later than Friday 22 April Board representatives will then contact you to discuss the work of the Foundation before inviting qualifying applicants to participate in a meeting of the most relevant Committee (we expect each of the groups to be meeting during May and September 2016.). There will be an opportunity to meet the Chair of the Board and trustees and members of the executive team before any formal trustee appointment.

7 Trustee Role Description This is a voluntary appointment which will bring you rewards other than money. If you would welcome the opportunity to make a difference to people at risk of mental health problems and to preventing these from occurring in the first place, this is a great opportunity to bring your skills, knowledge and experience to help the Foundation to deliver our mission. Purpose To provide guidance to the Foundation s Board and one or more of our committees, helping the Foundation to fulfil its objectives in line with charity law, company law and other relevant legislation. To be an ambassador for the Foundation, representing it to help further our charitable objectives. Main areas To attend Board meetings and be an active member of a Board committee. To be committed to effective governance of the Foundation and participate effectively and constructively in Board discussions and decisions. To keep in touch with other trustees and contribute to constructive and consensual working relationships so that we can achieve the Foundation s mission. Ambassadorial To promote the Foundation, its mission, aims and values to potential allies, donors and supporters. Members of Finance and Resources Committee To assist and advise the Board with regular review of budget and risk management. To apply financial management expertise with the Chair, Treasurer, Chief Executive and Director of Finance to ensure that the Foundation s finances are systematically monitored, accounted for, audited and accounts submitted to regulators. To work within the committee to provide oversight of Finance (income, expenditure and investment), Resources (staffing, IT and premises), and compliance with statutory responsibilities (Charity Law, Companies Acts, Health and Safety, Data protection, Employment Law), and to advise on financial issues arising from proposed changes in areas of operations. Members of Fundraising and Communications Committee To consider update reports from senior staff responsible for fundraising and communications and identify areas for attention

8 To consider, test and challenge fundraising or commercial opportunities To advise on learning from new marketing and fundraising approaches and developments in other sectors To oversee strategically MHF s work on marketing and communications and opportunities to increase our profile To create a network of people who are motivated to make a substantive positive investment in the nation s mental health, through financial support and influence. Members of Development Committee To advise on opportunities, developing policies, approaches and knowledge gaps in the field of mental health To consider update reports from senior staff responsible for programme development and delivery and identify areas for attention and action To propose, consider, test and challenge major development proposals To advise on the audiences for bids and for marketing and disseminating the outcomes of programmes to achieve sustainability Members of the Nominations Committee To assess the key needs of MHF for the number and nature of its trustee appointments and ensure these are reflected in the role description and approach to promotion of vacancies To initiate recruitment to forthcoming vacancies in good time To lead selection of new nominees, working with the Chief Executive Commitment The full Trustee Board meets approximately every two months for an early evening meeting, 3 of which are currently by phone conference. Additionally there is one, sometimes two, away days each year. You will need to be available to meet 2 to 4 times a year with your chosen committee and for other occasional meetings with staff. You may also be asked to represent the Foundation at outside meetings with potential influencers or funders and attend launches, events and receptions.

9 Person Specification Commitment Commitment to the Foundation, its vision, mission, goals and values. Commitment to spend the necessary time and effort to make an informed contribution to the Board and its committees. Skills and Abilities Integrity, strategic vision and excellent objective judgement. Understanding of issues in the broad arena of mental health whether from professional or personal experience. Knowledge of the policy frameworks affecting mental health in any of the nations of the UK. Understanding of the role of the Board, charity governance principles and distinctive roles of trustee and executive. Understanding of the appropriate role and responsibilities of a charity trustee and the legal and regulatory framework for charity and company operation. Ability to inspire, motivate, guide, support and inform fellow trustees and the executive team, contributing to the organisation achieving high performance. Excellent relationship management, including tact and diplomacy. Excellent ambassadorial skills to represent the Foundation at high level external events or with significant external supporters and stakeholders. Experience The following types of experience are desirable: Experience of being a charity trustee. Experience of attending and contributing constructively to meetings and preparation. Experience of working at a strategic high level and managing risks. Experience of making significant asks (policy or financial) for a good cause or of social enterprise. Experience in generating income for social causes Expertise in settings related to mental health and preventing problems occurring, including community, research or commissioning settings. General To maintain a high standard of probity in professional, personnel and financial matters, maintaining good relations with fellow trustees, staff and external partners and to act in accordance with the Foundation s code of conduct. To uphold and promote the Foundation s commitment to equality and diversity and the value of lived experience.

10 mentalhealth.org.uk London Office: Mental Health Foundation Colechurch House 1 London Bridge Walk London SE1 2SX Registered Charity No. England Scotland SC Company Registration No