We have an opportunity for a Trustee to join and represent the Charity’s South West Region. As a Regional Trustee, your experience and knowledge will help drive change within the Charity and improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness. Applicants must be living or working in the South West or have other strong regional ties. You must be an expert by experience (someone with direct lived experience, a carer or relative) or have relevant experience or expertise. The Board meets five times a year, including the annual Awaydays in December. Between formal Board meetings we hold Board Briefings by video conference to share information that does not require a formal Board decision. Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid position; however, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with the Charity’s expenses policy. Closing date for applications: Friday 27th March 2026 Rethink Mental Illness (charity number 271028) is governed by a Board comprising: Chair Eight Regional Trustees (experts by experience, including people severely affected by mental illness, carers, and relatives) Up to seven Co-opted Trustees, appointed for specific skills such as fundraising, business development, accountancy, or ICT. The Board meets five times per year, including a two-day Awayday session (typically at Warwick University). Regular meetings are held in person at the Charity’s Head Office in Vauxhall, London SE1 from 11:00 - 16:00. In addition, virtual Board Briefings are held in non-meeting months to provide updates that do not require formal decision-making. Trustees may also serve on Board Committees, including the Finance & Investment Committee and the Audit & Assurance Committee, and may contribute to wider activities such as campaigning, fundraising and events. Regional Involvement Structure Regional Trustees are members of: The Council of Rethink, which oversees involvement across the Charity and meets virtually three times a year. Regional Forums, which meet virtually four times a year and provide local intelligence and community insight. Forums feed into the Council of Rethink, which in turn reports to the Board. Each Forum aims to include representation from every Integrated Care System (ICS). Regional Trustees are members of the Council of Rethink, the committee that oversees involvement throughout the Charity. The Council meets virtually, three times a year. Trustees are also members of Regional Forums. Regional Forums meet virtually four times a year and provide local intelligence and a voice for local communities that help shape the direction of the Charity through a reporting mechanism via the Council of Rethink to the Board. Regional Forums are a recent addition to the involvement process and are still being developed. The aim is for each Regional Forum to have a representative from every Integrated Care System (ICS). Key responsibilities To hold the Charity "in trust" for current and future beneficiaries by: Ensuring the Charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these. Being responsible for the performance of the Charity and for its culture. Ensuring that the Charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. Acting as guardians of the Charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application. Ensuring the Charity's governance is of the highest possible standard. Duties of a Trustee To act in the best interests of Rethink Mental Illness, its beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times. To ensure that Rethink Mental Illness complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. To be familiar with and ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its Memorandum and Articles of Association and reviews them regularly. To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects. To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets. To follow due process at Board meetings, respect the collective responsibility of the Board and act in accordance with the Trustee Code of Conduct and Board Procedures. To understand accept and respect the difference in roles between trustees and staff ensuring that every action is taken to develop and ensure a mutually supportive relationship. To safeguard the good name and ethos of the organisation and act as a positive ambassador for Rethink Mental Illness. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and its resources. To ensure the sound management of Rethink Mental Illness's assets, resources and the financial stability of the organisation. To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance. To promote the organisation and its mission to a wider audience. To maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of trustees responsibilities to the Charity. To act fairly and in accordance with the principles of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. To work with Board members and staff to ensure Rethink Mental Illness's governance is of the highest possible standard. To adopt the principles of continuous improvement and reflect on performance with a view to improving individual and collective performance. In addition to the above duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge, or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise. Wherever possible, Trustees should also seek out appropriate development opportunities. Who I am Applicants must be living or working in the South West or have other strong regional ties. This area follows the NHS regional footprint and includes the counties of Bath, Wiltshire, West Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon and Dorset. You must be an expert by experience (someone with direct lived experience, a carer or relative) or have relevant experience or expertise.