Volunteer Trustee Honorary Secretary | KEY CHANGES POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH MUSIC

We're seeking a trustee to provide board secretarial functions to support our charity's award-winning recovery-focused music mentoring programmes in hospitals and the community help musicians experiencing mental health difficulties.

What difference will you make?

Music can play a valuable role in recovery from mental illness. It can stimulate emotional and aesthetic responses, develop creative, technical, social, and vocational skills, improve expression, communication, confidence and self-esteem, and facilitate positive changes in behaviour and wellbeing. Our innovative approach draws on clinical therapeutic techniques and music industry practice using creative collaboration and culturally appropriate music activities and genres. We primarily support engagement from groups facing health inequality or social injustice due to stigma and discrimination around mental health issues. We aim to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing through reducing symptoms and relapse rates and open pathways to mainstream opportunities. Our work supports groups that are disproportionately represented in the mental health system. We aim to address health inequalities, social exclusion, and stigma and discrimination around mental health issues. Since 1997 we have been supporting people experiencing barriers to mainstream opportunities due to mental ill health. More than 85% of participants have been from low-income Black or other ethnic minority (B/EM) backgrounds of whom a third have first engaged whilst sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Our evidence-based approach draws on clinical therapeutic techniques combined with specifically adapted elements of music industry practice. Our innovative programmes support creative, technical and vocational skills and open pathways to mainstream opportunities in education, training, work experience and employment.

What are we looking for?

You’ll require at least 3 years’ experience of governance in a non-profit or charity gained in a health or social care setting. You will have a thorough understanding of the statutory legislative framework including Charity Commission and Companies House, data and privacy compliance, and policies around safeguarding and employment. Person Specification Organised and methodical with an analytical and objective approach. Can articulate the charity's work and values to a diverse audience. Able to give clear advice on procedural matters and / or delegate. Able to take notes and keep accurate records. Develop a good knowledge of compliance and the organisation’s constitution. Prepared to learn about health and social care sector.

What will you be doing?

We promote positive mental health and wellbeing for young people and adults affected by depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental health and neurodiverse conditions. The trustee Honorary Secretary provides support for charity secretarial functions, ensures compliance with Companies House and Charity Commission, maintains up to date policies and procedures, promotes our aims and objectives to service users, stakeholders and supporters. Duties Contribute to the planning of board meeting agenda items, prepare papers and / or documentation Take minutes of meetings or ensure another minute taker is available. Be familiar with the charity's constitution (Governing Documents / Memorandum and Articles of Association) and any changes / amendments With CEO ensure that the organisation complies with Charities Commission and Companies House submissions With CEO and staff team maintain up to date and compliant policies and procedures, schedule board approvals Deal with statutory correspondence Promote the charity's aims and objectives to service users, stakeholders, and supporters, represent the charity at events Time Commitment Available to meet every three months for board meetings, and occasional hours each quarter ad hoc as part of general trustee role, in person or TEAMS, email or phone. Additionally, annual board away day and regular concerts and open mics.