Impactful Mental Health Trustee | Hybrid (2–4 hrs/mo) in Swindon

Help shape the future of mental health support in Swindon and Gloucestershire. As a Trustee, you'll guide strategy, champion our mission, and make a real difference—all in just 2–4 hours a month.

What difference will you make?

As a Trustee of Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, your impact will be far-reaching and deeply meaningful. You will help shape the future of mental health support in our communities—ensuring that people experiencing mental health challenges are not only supported but truly heard, respected, and empowered.

Your decisions will influence the services we offer, the way we reach underrepresented communities, and how we respond to changing needs in Swindon, Gloucestershire, and beyond. From supporting the development of creative wellbeing hubs to overseeing inclusive youth services or ensuring robust safeguarding and governance, your guidance will help us provide safe, effective, and compassionate support to thousands of people each year.

You will also play a key role in holding the organisation to account—making sure our values of integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration are reflected in everything we do. Whether it's contributing to strategic plans, challenging assumptions in the boardroom, or championing the voices of people with lived experience, your presence will help ensure that we grow in a sustainable, impactful, and equitable way.

Through your involvement, you will help strengthen a vital local charity at a time when mental health services have never been more essential. You’ll not only help shape services, but also inspire hope—creating a legacy that improves lives today and builds resilience for tomorrow.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for individuals who share our passion for mental health and want to make a tangible difference to the lives of others. You don’t need previous board experience—we welcome both first-time and experienced trustees—but you do need to bring curiosity, commitment, and the confidence to contribute.

We are especially keen to hear from candidates with one or more of the following

• Lived experience of mental health challenges, or as a carer or family member.
• Experience from underrepresented communities, including people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with lived experience of poverty or disadvantage.
• Clinical or mental health expertise, particularly within NHS, social care, psychology, counselling, or lived-experience-informed practice.
• Financial acumen, charity finance, audit, or risk management.
• Digital transformation, data insight, or cyber security.
• Charity governance, law, safeguarding, or HR.
• Experience in fundraising, business development, or marketing and communications.
• Youth work, education, or neurodiversity support.

Beyond technical knowledge, we are looking for trustees who

• Think strategically and creatively to support long-term planning and innovation
• Ask thoughtful, constructive questions that help us reflect and grow
• Communicate clearly and sensitively with a range of stakeholders
• Share our values of respect, integrity, inclusion, and openness
• Understand the importance of good governance and collective responsibility

We also value people who bring a community-based perspective—those involved in grassroots initiatives, peer support networks, or voluntary sector partnerships.

Most importantly, we are seeking people who care deeply about improving mental health services and who want to help us shape a stronger, fairer future for the communities we serve.

We are committed to being an inclusive board and will provide a full induction, mentorship if helpful, and support for any access or participation needs.

If you’re unsure whether this opportunity is for you, we still encourage you to express interest—our team would be happy to have an informal conversation.

Hybrid

What will you be doing?

Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind is at a pivotal point in its journey. As one of the region’s leading mental health charities, we’ve experienced significant growth in response to rising community needs and are now focused on deepening our impact, strengthening governance, and shaping sustainable mental health services that are accessible to all.

Our Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in steering the charity through this next phase. We are seeking new trustees who can bring fresh insight, lived experience, and strategic thinking to our governance. In particular, we welcome applications from people with experience of mental health challenges or from diverse communities whose voices are underrepresented in mental health leadership.

Current priorities for the board include

• Strengthening our strategic approach to inequality, inclusion, and access
• Supporting innovation in service design and delivery, particularly for young people, neurodivergent individuals, and those facing financial hardship
• Ensuring long-term sustainability through sound financial oversight and income diversification
• Navigating a shifting health and social care landscape and championing the role of the VCSE sector

We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals with expertise in

• Clinical governance or mental health service delivery
• Finance, audit, or charity law
• Digital transformation or cyber security
• Fundraising, communications, or stakeholder engagement

However, previous board experience is not essential. If you are values-led, collaborative, and ready to contribute to the development of inclusive, person-centred mental health services, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll be joining a compassionate, driven board supported by a dedicated Senior Leadership Team. Trustees typically commit 2–4 hours per month, including evening board meetings held around 8–10 times per year. Induction and ongoing support are provided, and reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

• reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Together, we’re working towards a society where everyone experiencing a mental health problem is recognised, valued, and supported. Your perspective could make a vital difference.