The Board of Mental Health Reform is currently seeking an individual with lived experience of mental health services either as a service user, carer, or family relative, to join the board as an expert by lived experience. This is a unique opportunity to bring your personal experience to the table and help shape mental health policy in Ireland. As a member of the board, you will have the chance to contribute to a national conversation around mental health, at a time when it is in the public spotlight and a prominent element in current national policy discourse.
We are looking for someone who can bring a unique perspective to the board’s discussions and decision-making processes. If you are passionate about improving mental health services in Ireland and have lived experience of mental health difficulties, we encourage you to apply.
Board members are appointed on a voluntary basis however vouched travel expenses can be reimbursed.
Previous board experience would be an advantage but is not essential.
About Mental Health Reform
Mental Health Reform is Ireland’s (MHR) leading national coalition on mental health. Our vision is of an Ireland with accessible, effective and inclusive mental health services and supports.
In line with this vision, we drive the progressive reform of mental health services and supports, through coordination and policy development, research and innovation, accountability and collective advocacy. With over 80 member organisations and thousands of individual supporters, MHR provides a unified voice to Government, its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health issues.
This year, MHR launched its new strategic plan 2023 – 2028: ‘Making Mental Health Matter’. The strategic plan sets the roadmap for the coalition’s work for the next five years. It is designed to fully harness the collaborative power of the coalition and provide a platform to make mental health matter by placing the voices of Mental Health Reform’s members and the people accessing their services at the centre of its work.
MHR complies with relevant regulatory requirements of both the Company Registration Office and the Charities Regulator and operates in accordance with its Financial Procedures Manual and the Charities Governance Code. MHR prepares its annual accounts using the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).
Expert Director (Lived experience)
The Board of MHR are seeking an individual with lived experience of mental health services either as a service user, family relative, carer, or supporter.
Specific duties of the Expert Director (Lived experience) include:
- Bringing lived experience expertise to guide members on the strategic direction of MHRs advocacy and government relations work
- Advocating for the needs and concerns of people with lived experience of mental health difficulties in all aspects of MHR’s work
- Advising MHR on issues related to service users
- Promotion of MHR and its work amongst key stakeholders
- Support MHR leadership as required
General Trustee duties of a Charity Trustee include:
- Comply with the Charity’s governing document
- Ensuring charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit
- Acting in the best interest of the charity
- Act with Reasonable Care and Skill
- Manage the assets of your charity
- Prepare for and attend Board meetings
- A willingness to be contacted on an ad hoc basis
More information is available on request.
Essential experience
- Have experience of mental health services either as a service user, carer, or family relative
- Are able to provide critical and constructive feedback
- Have confidence to voice their own opinions clearly and participate in group discussion
- An awareness of key issues as they related to the Irish Mental health system
- Commitment to the improvement of mental health service provision
- Good communications and interpersonal skills
Board meetings
There are six board meeting a year. Meetings currently take place via zoom. The board meet via a hybrid meeting model where the majority of meetings take place online.
Directors are encouraged to join sub-committees. There are currently three committees: Finance & Audit, Nominations and fundraising.
The anticipated time commitment is estimated at four hours per month. The person is expected to take up the role in July 2023.
Applications
More information on the organisation and the role please contact fcoyle@mentalhealthreform.ie
To apply please send your CV along with a brief cover letter by email to: fcoyle@mentalhealthreform.ie by 5pm June 20th 2023.
