Job Description

This is a unique opportunity to make a significant difference to the mental health of communities across Leeds and West Yorkshire.  As Co-Chair of Leeds Mind, you will help ensure that the charity achieves its strategic priorities, delivers good quality mental health support and services, and is financially sustainable.

We are at an exciting, but also challenging new phase as we develop our new strategy and evolve as an organisation.  As national Mind’s “Big Mental Health Report” has recently highlighted, the scale and severity of mental health need is increasing, yet people are struggling to access quality care when they need it.  Stigma and discrimination towards mental health seem to be getting worse, young people are facing ongoing mental health difficulties, and financial challenges are creating a vicious cycle for many people. 

Leeds Mind delivers a range of support and services and has a key role to play in addressing these challenges.  With more people seeking and accessing support, our vision continues to be “Better mental health for all”. We need someone who is passionate about making a positive difference.  Somebody who has the energy and motivation to co-lead the Board of Trustees, support the Senior Leadership Team and work with all Leeds Mind’s stakeholders to make the impact needed.

We have a vibrant and dedicated Board of Trustees and have been doing significant work as a Board to drive our effectiveness.  We are looking for somebody with leadership experience, but more importantly the values and behaviours that are central to Leeds Mind: Being Open, Being Supportive, Being Brave, Being Connected and Being Resourceful.

Leeds Mind is an equal opportunities organisation, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds and identities; particularly culturally diverse, LGBTQIA+ and/or disabled people who are under-represented within Leeds Mind.

The role:

The Co-Chair will jointly hold the Board and Senior Leadership Team to account for Leeds Mind’s mission, vision and strategic plan, ensuring that each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the organisation.  The Chair will also support the Chief Executive and wider Senior Leadership Team with the delivery of strategic priorities.

A full role profile is available on our website. 

We are looking for:

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level – voluntary, public or private sector

• Experience of charity governance and/or working with or as part of a Board of Trustees

• Commitment to excellence with a focus on outcomes and continuous improvement

• Commitment to improving mental health support

• Able to commit time to conduct the role well, including travelling and attending events in and out of office hours

• Role models our values in leadership every day – Being Open, Supportive, Brave, Connected, and Resourceful.

• A self-starter, proactive, flexible and calm

• Able to engage with and influence a wide range of stakeholders

If you think you could be the person we are looking for, we would love to hear from you. 

This is a voluntary role, initially for a 3-year term, with the possibility of two reappointments.

Out of pocket expenses are offered, if required.

Time Commitment

• Chairing Board meetings: these are held quarterly, usually on a Thursday evening, for up to 3 hours.

• Attend selected Committee meetings (Strategy and Planning, Finance, People, and Quality and Performance): these are held quarterly on dates prior  to Board meetings for up to 2 hours.  Only members of the committee are required to attend these meetings.

• Together with the SLT, prepare and facilitate two Trustees and Management away days each year.

• Biennial review with each Trustee.

• Attend national and Leeds Mind events, as appropriate: e.g., whole organisation meetings, volunteering at fund raising events, trustee/leadership conferences.

More information is available in the role profile.

To apply, please go to the Leeds Mind website and click on the ‘apply now’ button, with the following prepared:

• Your CV

• A short supporting statement that sets out why you could be the person we are looking for and why you are interested in joining Leeds Mind as our next Chair of Trustees. 

Recruitment timetable and candidate participation

Application deadline 5 January 2025

First stage interview Week commencing 13 or 20 January 2025

Second stage interview Week commencing 3 or 10 February 2025