Help Us Change the Conversation Around Mental Health in the UK
We are entering an exciting season of growth and development. To help guide our next chapter, we are looking nationwide to expand and bring fresh perspectives to our Board of Trustees. You can read more about our work and achievements in our recent Impact Report.
Role: Charity Trustee (Voluntary)
Organisation: Chasing the Stigma
Location: UK-wide
Working location: Remote (with up to 2 in person meetings a year)
Time Commitment: Average 1 to 2 days per month (6 bi-monthly meetings a year, minimum attendance of 4, with up to 2 in person)
Key Date: Board Away Day on Friday 19th March 2027 in-person held in Liverpool
Who We Are and What Drives Us
At Chasing the Stigma, we created the Hub of Hope, which has grown not only into the largest and most comprehensive directory of mental health services in the UK, but a vital asset-mapping tool offering real-time data, showing what mental health provision looks like across the country, where people are searching for support, what they need help with, and whether appropriate services are available in their area.
Alongside this, we developed our Ambassador of Hope training to give individuals and organisations the tools to support people when they need it most. We are a national charity with a clear mission: to make talking about mental health as normal and human as talking about physical health, ensuring everyone across the UK can find help wherever and whenever they need it.
Our ultimate goal is a society free from the stigma surrounding mental health. We want people to get support long before reaching a crisis point, leading to a meaningful, long-term reduction in self-harm and suicide.
What You Will Drive
Our trustees play a crucial part in making sure Chasing the Stigma stays true to its core purpose. They oversee how the charity is managed, make sure our strategy stays aligned with our vision, and offer both encouraging support and constructive challenge to our executive team.
As a small and agile charity, our trustees act as a collective team while bringing their own individual experience to specific areas. Right now, we are looking for dedicated individuals who can bring real insight to one of four key areas:
Digital, Data, IT and AI: Help us shape the future of the Hub of Hope. You will help us use data architecture, emerging technology, and digital tools in a smart and safe way to reach more people across the UK.
Clinical Expertise / Clinicians: Help bridge community support with clinical credibility by offering advice on mental health pathways, safety, care quality and chairing our clinical expertise panel.
HR and People Strategy: Guide our workplace culture, policies, and team development as our staff and national footprint expand.
Legal and Governance: Protect and enable the charity through clear legal oversight, risk management, and sound compliance frameworks.
Marketing: Provide strategic guidance on audience engagement, outreach, and multi-channel marketing to support our overall communications strategy.
Public Relations/Media: Shape media strategy, advise on brand positioning, and provide expertise on reputation management and communications.
If your background falls outside these four areas, please do not let that stop you from applying. We actively want to broaden the diversity of thought on our board, and we welcome applicants from all walks of life. Whilst previous trustee experience is desirable it is not essential as we provide a full induction and governance training.
Your Responsibilities as a Trustee
While you will bring your individual expertise, board members hold a collective responsibility. You will work alongside fellow trustees to guide, protect, and empower Chasing the Stigma by:
Guiding Strategy and Growth: Approving our operational plans, policies, and strategic goals, and monitoring how we deliver on our mission.
Financial and Risk Oversight: Reviewing budgets, approving financial accounts, and ensuring key organisational risks are properly identified and managed.
Supporting Leadership: Offering constructive advice, encouragement, and healthy challenge to your fellow trustees, the Chair, our CEO and executive team.
Active Leadership and Governance: Preparing for and actively contributing to board discussions, reviewing your own board performance, and acting in good faith solely in the charity’s best interests.
Hands-on Support and Advocacy: Beyond board meetings, using your specialist knowledge to advise staff on specific projects, join ad-hoc working groups, and actively make warm introductions across your personal and professional networks whenever you spot an opportunity for Chasing the Stigma to grow or collaborate.
What We Expect From You
This is an active, hands-on board role for people who are ready to make a genuine difference:
Time Commitment: An average of 1 to 2 days per month.
Board Meetings: Bi-monthly (6 meetings a year). We ask for attendance at a minimum of 4 meetings annually, with up to 2 of those held in person.
Essential Kickoff Event: Newly appointed trustees need to be able to join us in person for our Board Away Day on Friday 19th March 2027 in Liverpool.
Active Engagement: Outside of board meetings, you will offer ad-hoc advice to staff members, join short working groups when needed, review board papers, and act as an ambassador for Chasing the Stigma in your own networks.
Core Values: A real commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, alongside Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
This is a voluntary role, but we reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Trustee appointments are for a 3-year term, which can be renewed up to a maximum of 9 years.
How to Apply
If you feel passionate about changing how mental health is supported in the UK and can offer the time and energy to help us grow, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to: amy@chasingthestigma.co.uk
Cover letter to explain your experience, why our mission speaks to you, and your ability to commit to the required time (including our Liverpool Away Day on 19th March 2027).
Any appointments will be subject to references and employment checks.
If you have any questions, please email Amy Yarker (Chair): amy@chasingthestigma.co.uk
We are always looking to expand our board, so there is no closing date for applications. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
This is a truly exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Chasing the Stigma, ensuring our work continues to change lives across the UK.
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