Embracing Challenges and Celebrating Progress during Trustee Week: Reflections from the new Chair of the Board
I joined Mind in Salford as Chair of the Board of Trustees in March 2024. My career is in the NHS and Charity sector. Working in system level change, I have experience of strategic management, implementing service improvement strategies, commissioning mental health services and developing drug and alcohol services. I am an experienced clinician, manager and trainer with operational and strategic expertise in alcohol, substance misuse, mental health, criminal justice and homelessness with a Special interest in Dual Diagnosis (co-occurring conditions).
I have considerable experience in service transformation, workforce development, improvement of integrated care pathways and policy implementation. I have led innovative projects and created credible partnerships to deliver quality services for vulnerable people, including specific projects for hard-to-reach groups. I have demonstrable experience of including the needs of user and carer groups as equal partners in service design and delivery.
I have worked at Board level since 2020 in the Charity sector, am a qualified yoga teacher and reiki practitioner and currently work as a Civil Servant in the criminal justice system.
I am proud to serve as Chair to support and implement the fantastic work of the Senior Management Team, all staff and volunteers that enable local people to access and benefit from services.
As we celebrate #trusteeweek24 I want to thank all members of the Board. Trustees, like myself are volunteers who give up their time, skills and expertise to serve on the Board and act as critical friend to the Executive Team. As many of our trustees work in health and care charity organisations, we are a rich and varied resource that we can draw upon.
Since joining the Board at the end of March this year, we have been focusing on our Governance structure. I am particularly looking forward to working with the Board as we approach new projects, services and initiatives that support local people. I also want to learn from the Mind network and embed the good practice we see regionally and nationally, this will enhance our ability to respond and provide steer.
I provide updates on Board activity to the staff via the internal newsletter. I want to create a culture where the staff in the organisation know the Board and how we work together via the Senior Management Team.
We currently have two vacancies on the Board for a trustee and a treasurer. If you are or know someone who would be interested, please contact [email protected]
Posted on: 11th November 2024