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Trustee
Type: Voluntary • Location: Plymouth/Devon or commutable for meetings • Closes: When filled
Could you be our next Trustee?
Join Devon Mind and be part of a growing, forward-thinking charity that is leading the fight for mental health in Devon. Devon Mind is continuing to expand throughout Devon and we are looking for new Board Members to support this growth and bring passion and expertise to the Board.
Devon Mind was established in 1984 and was originally known as Plymouth and District Mind; we are now known as Devon Mind.
Why? We are committed to strengthening our offer across Devon. We want to reach communities who have little or no access to mental health support, increasing our reach to people at greater risk of isolation. Change is a process and not an event — so we have worked hard to understand the services the people of Devon need; we plan to expand our campaign against stigma and discrimination, and we are keen to develop new strategic partnerships to expand our flagship Recovery College service across the county over the coming years. The organisation has grown to become a £1 million organisation in the last few years, and we want to continue to expand to be able to get a better deal for mental health.
Why apply?
Our mission is to lead the fight for mental health in Devon, and we are a passionate team. Becoming a Trustee for Devon Mind is a rewarding and diverse opportunity. Trustees play a key role in maintaining the strategic direction of the charity, overseeing the overarching vision and values, and understanding the impact the work of the charity has on individuals and their families.
As well as increasing our services, Devon Mind recognises that it needs to expand our Board. Trustees are our most senior leaders and can therefore have the greatest impact on our community. We need to know that our board can provide the robust governance the organisation needs to provide safe and effective services. We need a Board with a diversity of skills and backgrounds to do this. You can find out more about our current Board of Trustees here.
What we are looking for:
Devon Mind is looking for Trustees from a wide range of backgrounds and is committed to a diverse and inclusive Board. We are looking for dedicated, empathetic, and ambitious candidates to help make our mission a reality and lead us closer towards our ultimate ambition: a society where everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.
At this time of growth, we are particularly interested in seeking candidates who have skills and experience within:
NHS – procurement practices, strategy and management within the NHS
Clinical – ideally within mental health, but not exclusively
IT, AI and digital innovation
General commercial / charity relevant experience
As lived experience is the golden thread throughout Devon Mind, the Board particularly values the experience of people who have lived with mental health challenges either personally or with someone they know.
Being a Trustee is a voluntary position. Expenses incurred in relation to fulfilling Trustee duties can be reimbursed, e.g. travel. Training will be provided, and we encourage you to become a member of a Subcommittee of the Board as well. Time commitment will vary, but it is expected to require approximately 4 hours per month. The Board meets four times per year for approximately 2 hours, and two subcommittees meet for 1 hour, three or four times per year.
These positions are open to people who have leave to remain in the UK or UK citizenship. We cannot accept applications from people who are currently seeking asylum or are under the age of 16. Candidates must not have been previously disqualified as a Trustee or company director, have an undischarged bankruptcy, or have unspent criminal convictions for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud).
Interested in becoming a trustee?
If you’re interested in joining Devon Mind as a Trustee, please download and complete the Expression of Interest form below. You are welcome to also send us a CV in support of your application. Please email your completed forms to Anita Baigent, Business Support Manager: anita.baigent@devonmind.com. If you have any further questions or queries about the opportunity, please email the Chair of the Board, Steve Offord: steve@devonmind.com
Need to download the pack separately? Simply click the links below:
Information pack • Expression of Interest form • Impact Report 2025 • Equal opportunities form
What happens next? We will be in contact to arrange a suitable time for you to meet with Steve Offord, Chair of the Board, Olivia Craig, Devon Mind CEO, and at least one other Trustee to give you a chance to ask any questions you may have.
All appointments made are subject to two satisfactory references; an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check, as well as Company Director and Charity Trustee disqualification checks.